what is vsmart controller

vSmart Controller is another critical component of Cisco's Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) solution. It serves as the centralized brain of the SD-WAN fabric. vSmart Controllers are responsible for control plane functions within the SD-WAN architecture.

Here's a breakdown of its key functions:

1. Routing and Path Selection: vSmart Controllers determine the optimal paths for data traffic based on defined policies, network conditions, and application requirements. They utilize overlay tunneling to establish secure connections across the SD-WAN fabric.

2. Policy Enforcement: vSmart Controllers enforce centralized policies defined by network administrators. These policies govern traffic steering, Quality of Service (QoS), security, and other aspects of network behavior.

3. Secure Connectivity: vSmart Controllers ensure secure communication between SD-WAN edge devices (such as routers and switches) by establishing and managing secure tunnels using protocols like IPsec.

4. Overlay Network Management: They oversee the creation, maintenance, and teardown of overlay tunnels that form the SD-WAN fabric. This includes dynamic adaptation to network changes such as link failures or bandwidth fluctuations.

5. Integration with Other Components: vSmart Controllers work closely with other SD-WAN components like vEdge routers, vBond orchestrators, and vManage NMS to provide end-to-end network management and control.