SD-Access Architecture & Physical layer

In Cisco SD-Access Architecture there are five basic layers which plays an important role to build the SD-Access Fabric for branches & Campuses.

• Physical layer
• Network Layer
• Controller layer
• Management Layer
• Partner Eco-Systems

We will discuss each and every layer in details in coming sections.

Cisco SD-Access Architecture:

Cisco SD-Access Architecture contains four layers described below.

• Physical layer
• Network Layer
• Controller layer
• Management Layer

These four layer makes the enterprise SD-Access fabric for Branches or campus network Element. Below figure defines the SD-Access Architecture.

Now let’s talk about the Layers one by One.

Physical Layer:

 This layers defines the enterprise network devices which includes Routers, Switches, WLC, Cisco ISE and DNA appliance along with their Operating systems , interfaces , Link connectivity etc.

All the Cisco network devices that participates in SD-Access fabric, must support all of the hardware (ACIS & FPGA – Field Programmable gate Arrays) and software requirements.

All those Cisco network Devices that does not actively participates in SD-Access Fabric but are connected to it via automation are called as SD-Access Extension nodes.

Some of the Cisco Network Devices that participates in SD-Access are given below for reference.

Cisco Switches that acts as SD-Access fabric.

• Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series with Cisco IOS XE 16.6.1 as fabric Edge role.
• Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series with Cisco IOS XE 16.6.1 as fabric Edge role
• Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series with Cisco IOS XE 16.6.1 as fabric Edge role
• Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series with Cisco IOS XE 16.6.1 as fabric Edge role
• Cisco Catalyst 6880-X Series with Cisco IOS XE 15.4.1(SY2) as fabric border & Control
• Cisco Nexus 7700 9300 Series with Cisco NXOS 8.2.(1) as fabric border

Cisco Switches as Extension Node:

• Cisco Catalyst 3560-CX Series with Cisco IOS 15.2.(6) E as Extension role
• Cisco Industrial Ethernet 4000 and 5000 Series with Cisco IOS 15.2.(6) E as Extension role

Cisco Routers

• Cisco ASR 1000-X, 1000-HX Series with Cisco IOS XE 16.6.1 as fabric border & Control.
• Cisco ISR 4300, 4400 with Cisco IOS XE 16.6.1 as fabric border & Control.
• Cisco ISRv or CSRv Cisco IOS XE 16.6.1 as fabric border & Control.

Cisco Wireless:

• Cisco 3504, 5520 Wireless Controller with AireOS 8.5.103.0 acts as Fabric WLAN Controller
• Cisco 8510, 8540 Wireless Controller with AireOS 8.5.103.0 acts as Fabric WLAN Controller

Cisco Access Points:

• Aironet 1700 , 2700, 3700 with AireOS 8.5.103.0 acts as Fabric Access points
• Aironet 1800 , 2800, 3800 with AireOS 8.5.103.0 acts as Fabric Access points

Cisco Appliances

• Cisco DNA Center with DNAC 1.0 or 2.0 acts as DNA Center Controller.
• Cisco Secure Network Server 3500 Series with ISE 2.3