20 Cisco Software-Defined Access Interview Questions and Answers

Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA) is a network architecture that allows for the segmentation of network traffic. It is a popular technology for businesses that want to improve their network security and performance. When interviewing for a position that involves Cisco SDA, you can expect to be asked questions about the technology and your experience with it. In this article, we review some common Cisco SDA interview questions and how you should answer them.

Cisco Software-Defined Access Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Cisco Software-Defined Access interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is Cisco Software-Defined Access?

Cisco Software-Defined Access is a network architecture that uses software to define and manage access to network resources. This approach allows for more flexibility and granular control over network access than traditional network architectures.

2. Can you explain what the components of SD-Access are?

The components of SD-Access include the following:

– The control plane, which is responsible for managing the network and configuring the devices
– The data plane, which is responsible for forwarding traffic
– The management plane, which is responsible for managing the network and configuring the devices

3. What does a policy do in software-defined access?

A policy in software-defined access defines the set of actions that are allowed or disallowed for a particular user or group of users. This can include things like which devices they are allowed to connect to, what kinds of traffic they are allowed to send and receive, and so on.

4. How can you configure policies on an ISE server to support role-based network access control?

You can configure policies on an ISE server to support role-based network access control by creating different policy sets for different user groups and then assigning those policy sets to the appropriate users. For example, you could create a policy set for administrators that gives them full access to the network, and then create a separate policy set for regular users that limits their access to only certain parts of the network. By doing this, you can ensure that only the people who need access to certain parts of the network are able to get to those parts, and that everyone else is restricted from accessing them.

5. Which ports need to be open for communication between Cisco DNA Center and ISE servers?

The following ports need to be open for communication between Cisco DNA Center and ISE servers:

TCP 80 – This is the port that ISE uses for web authentication
TCP 443 – This is the port that ISE uses for web authentication
TCP 8443 – This is the port that ISE uses for web authentication
TCP 389 – This is the port that ISE uses for LDAP authentication
TCP 636 – This is the port that ISE uses for LDAPS authentication
TCP 514 – This is the port that ISE uses for syslog messages
UDP 161 – This is the port that ISE uses for SNMP

6. Can you give me some examples of use cases that would benefit from using Cisco’s software-defined access solution?

There are many potential benefits to using Cisco’s software-defined access solution, but some of the most notable include increased flexibility and agility in network deployments, the ability to quickly adapt to changing business needs, and improved security and compliance.

7. What is BYOD onboarding with SD-Access?

BYOD onboarding with SD-Access is a way for users to connect their personal devices to a Cisco SD-Access network. This allows users to access the network from their personal devices, without having to go through the hassle of setting up a separate account or connecting to a different network.

8. Can you explain how user provisioning works within Cisco SD-Access?

User provisioning is the process of creating and configuring user accounts within Cisco SD-Access. This process is typically handled by an administrator, who will create user accounts and assign them to the appropriate groups. Once a user account has been created, the user will be able to login and access the resources that have been granted to them.

9. What are the different types of authentication available in SD-Access?

There are three types of authentication available in SD-Access: 802.1X, MACsec, and web authentication. 802.1X is the most common type of authentication used in SD-Access, and it relies on the use of digital certificates to authenticate devices. MACsec is another type of authentication that can be used, which uses a shared key to authenticate devices. Finally, web authentication can be used in SD-Access, which uses a web-based login page to authenticate devices.

10. What are the two deployment options for Cisco SD-Access?

The two deployment options for Cisco SD-Access are on-premises and cloud-based. On-premises deployment gives you more control over the environment and how the SD-Access solution is deployed, while cloud-based deployment is more flexible and can be scaled more easily.

11. What is the difference between overlay mode and underlay mode in the context of SD-Access?

In overlay mode, the SD-Access controller uses the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to distribute information about the overlay network to the devices in the network. In underlay mode, the controller uses the Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) to distribute information about the underlay network.

12. What tools are used to monitor SD-Access deployments?

The main tool used to monitor SD-Access deployments is the Cisco DNA Center. This tool provides a centralized view of the entire SD-Access network, and it can be used to monitor performance, identify issues, and make changes to the network configuration.

13. Is it possible to integrate an existing Active Directory deployment with SD-Access? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible to integrate an existing Active Directory deployment with SD-Access. This can be done by using the Active Directory Integration feature in the SD-Access controller. This will allow the controller to communicate with the Active Directory server and pull in the necessary information to authenticate users and provide them with the appropriate access.

14. How is an end-user device authenticated when logging into a network secured by SD-Access?

When an end-user device attempts to log into an SD-Access-secured network, the device will first need to be authenticated by the network. This authentication can be done in a number of ways, but the most common method is through the use of a username and password. Once the device has been authenticated, it will be able to access the network and all of the resources that are available to it.

15. What is the advantage of using segmentation in a Software Defined Access deployment?

Segmentation allows you to break up your network into smaller, more manageable pieces. This makes it easier to troubleshoot and manage your network, as well as reducing the chances of one problem taking down the entire network.

16. Can users who have been granted access to multiple VNs share their resources across those networks?

Yes, users who have been granted access to multiple VNs can share their resources across those networks. This is made possible by the fact that each VN is assigned a unique ID, which allows the network to keep track of which resources are located in which VN.

17. Does SD-Access support multi-tenancy?

Yes, SD-Access does support multi-tenancy. This means that you can have multiple virtual networks running on the same physical infrastructure, and each network can be isolated from the others. This is ideal for organizations that need to segment their network traffic for security or compliance reasons.

18. How does SD-Access help protect against insider threats?

SD-Access helps protect against insider threats by creating a microsegmentation strategy that can be used to segment the network and limit access to sensitive data. By creating smaller, more secure segments, it is more difficult for an insider to gain access to sensitive data. Additionally, SD-Access can help monitor activity on the network and identify suspicious activity that may be indicative of an insider threat.

19. Can you explain what fabric border nodes are in the context of SD-Access?

Fabric border nodes are the edge devices in a Cisco SD-Access deployment. They are responsible for connecting the SD-Access network to other networks, and they also provide security and policy enforcement for traffic entering and leaving the SD-Access network.

20. What is a control plane node?

A control plane node is a node in a network that is responsible for managing and controlling the flow of traffic. This can include things like routing traffic, managing QoS, and managing security.