PSS PRASHEEL

I made a project on obstacle detection for visually impaired.

Project Summary: SD-WAN for the Digital Age
This project, carried out at Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), presents a comprehensive study of computer networking concepts with a primary focus on Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN). It begins with foundational topics including the purpose of networking, data communication principles, data flow types (simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex), and the roles of devices like routers, switches, hubs, and bridges. Different network topologies—mesh, star, ring, bus, and hybrid—are explained alongside network categories (LAN, MAN, WAN) and communication protocols.

The report elaborates on OSI and TCP/IP reference models, defining each layer’s responsibilities and associated protocols like IP, TCP, UDP, HTTP, etc. It explains the concept of packets, types of addressing (MAC, IP, port), and routing methods including static, dynamic, and default routing. Special emphasis is given to routing protocols like RIP and OSPF, detailing their operations and applications. It also covers Network Address Translation (NAT) and the role of firewalls, including their components such as packet filters, stateful inspection, and proxies.

A separate section is dedicated to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), their types (Remote Access, Site-to-Site, Cloud, Mobile, SSL), working principles, and security aspects. Cisco Packet Tracer is introduced as a simulation tool, with detailed configurations and scenarios demonstrating basic and advanced network setups including spanning tree, ACLs, Telnet, SSH, and HSRP.

The core of the project revolves around SD-WAN, a modern approach to WAN architecture that separates the control and data planes to offer centralized management, cost-effective connectivity, improved performance, and enhanced security. It contrasts traditional WAN limitations—like decentralized control and slow troubleshooting—with SD-WAN’s ability to optimize cloud applications, provide real-time path selection, and support Zero Trust security. Scenarios and simulations are included to show how SD-WAN networks are structured and managed.

Overall, the project blends theoretical networking fundamentals with hands-on practical simulations to demonstrate how SD-WAN transforms enterprise connectivity for the digital era.