LAN/WAN Engineer → SD-WAN Engineer

Transferable skills

• Routing
• Security
• Troubleshooting
• Monitoring

Skills to learn

• SD-WAN (Veloce/Fortinet)
• Automation
• Cloud networking

Step-by-step learning plan

1. 1. Build on your LAN/WAN Engineer experience

   2–4 weeks

   Leverage

   • Routing
   • Security
   • Troubleshooting
   • Monitoring

   Map transferable skills — Routing, Security, Troubleshooting — against what a SD-WAN Engineer needs.

2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward SD-WAN Engineer

   3–6 weeks

   Improve

   • Scripting

   Raise Scripting to the level a SD-WAN Engineer relies on.

3. 3. Learn the core of the SD-WAN Engineer role

   6–10 weeks

   Learn

   • SD-WAN (Veloce/Fortinet)
   • Automation

   Technologies

   VeloCloudFortinetCisco Viptela

   Cover the biggest gaps first: SD-WAN (Veloce/Fortinet), Automation.

4. 4. Master advanced SD-WAN Engineer skills

   6–10 weeks

   Learn

   • Cloud networking

   Technologies

   AnsibleAWSAzure

   Handle the advanced topics: Cloud networking.

5. 5. Get productive with the SD-WAN Engineer toolchain

   4–8 weeks

   Technologies

   VeloCloudFortinetCisco ViptelaAnsibleAWSAzure

   Be hands-on with VeloCloud, Fortinet, Cisco Viptela and the rest of the target stack.

6. 6. Practise SD-WAN Engineer work in real conditions

   4–8 weeks

   Ship a portfolio project or take on SD-WAN Engineer tasks at work.

7. 7. Get certified and position yourself as a SD-WAN Engineer

   4–8 weeks

   Technologies

   Fortinet NSE 5 SD-WANCisco SD-WANVMware VeloCloud

   Update your CV and LinkedIn around SD-WAN Engineer, then apply to target roles.