California Telecom SD-WAN Platform vs. Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access)

CalTel SD-WAN platform is well suited for organization that are looking for scalability but in a cost-effective way. CalTel SD-WAN platform is also suited for organization who do not want to use their internal resource managing this system

It's well suited in our corporate offices, where all our business users resides and where we can control all their accesses. What doesn't really fit well is when we have our branch fronts, where all the software domain access features aren't utilized to its fullest, due to the fact that customers and users don't really need to have all the security features that SDA provides.

Incentivized

• Inovative infratructure for scalability and realiability.
• More cost-effective from service to support
• Proactive monitoring
• Knowledgeable engineers
• Seemless implementation

• Automation, pushing template-based configuration to multiple devices in one push saves time and manpower.
• Assurance [helps trace] issues related to devices, clients, and provide the troubleshoot as [the] best practices.
• Segmentation, with the use of the SGT tags, we are able to achieve segmentation and micro-segmentation securely.

Incentivized

• Jim G. works well with executive staff in discovering ways to meet requirement, implement a more scalable technology, while still being cost-effective. Jim will need to replicate himself in order to be able to have others to do this type of work instead.

• Documentation: Working in this solution I realized there were missing information details about the fusion device support for nexus.
• Fusion router: This roll in the fabric should be already integrated in the solution, right now it is configured manually.
• Bugs: Unfortunately the solution still present a lot of bugs, mainly in the controller.

Incentivized

It is difficult to start using the product due to its unfamiliar name and acronyms. ,The task should be accomplished in a specific order to ensure success

Incentivized

As far as my experience with SD-Access -I'd say things that can be improved are - better functionality with ISE, ease to understand licensing and better documentation for configuration (add-ons, etc), and licensing.

Incentivized

I rated the training an 8 because overall, it was well-structured, and the instructor was highly knowledgeable on the subject matter. The content was relevant, and I appreciated the clear explanations of complex topics. However, I felt that some sections were covered too quickly, making it difficult to fully absorb the information before moving on. Additionally, I would have liked more time dedicated to Q&A, as there were moments when I had questions but didn’t get the opportunity to ask them due to time constraints. Adding more interactive discussions or hands-on exercises could further enhance the learning experience and make it even more engaging

Incentivized

At the beginning, we had to open a TAC case for every single step during the implementation phase.

Incentivized

Cal-Tel is more cost effective, reliable, and have a more proactive management.

Automation, pushing template-based configuration to multiple devices in one push saves time and manpower. Assurance helps trace issues related to devices, clients, and provide the troubleshoot as the best practices. Segmentation, with the use of the SGT tags, we are able to achieve segmentation and micro-segmentation securely.

Incentivized

• Moving from Windstream system to CalTel cut gave us a monthly savings of $371K /yr for our phone and internet expenses.
• It also allowed us to be more proactive when a circuit has trouble and allowed us to have redundancy.
• Also allowed us to easily migrate our servers to a Data-Center and manage the traffic.

• Integration with other platforms in a single platform is a great advantage for the user.
• Saves time in configuring devices on the network

Incentivized