Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Onboarding Guide, Releases 26.x and Later

PDF

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Onboarding Guide, Releases 26.x and Later

Add SD-WAN controllers or SD-WAN validators using a workflow

Updated: July 7, 2026

Want to summarize with AI?

Log in

Configure SD-WAN Controllers or SD-WAN Validators in your network using the Add Controller and Validator Components workflow.

Procedure

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. From the Cisco SD-WAN Manager menu, choose Workflows > Workflow Library.
  2. Launch the Add Controller and Validator Components workflow.
  3. Choose either Controller or Validator, and proceed according to the instructions in the workflow.

DETAILED STEPS

1.

From the Cisco SD-WAN Manager menu, choose Workflows > Workflow Library.
2.

Launch the Add Controller and Validator Components workflow.
3.

Choose either Controller or Validator, and proceed according to the instructions in the workflow.

For the authentication certificate assigned to the new SD-WAN Control Component, you can do one of these:

  • Handle certificate signing within the workflow:

    • Renewal type: Manual

      Choose the option to generate a certificate signing request (CSR). This facilitates getting the certificate signed and ready for use during the workflow. This option provides you with a CSR to download, to get the certificate signed. After getting the certificate signed, you upload the certificate within this workflow.

    • Renewal type: Automatic

      This option is available if two conditions are met:

      • Administration > Settings > Certificate setttings > Control Components set to Cisco, and

      • Smart Account credentials (Administration > Settings > Smart Account Credentials) are configured.

  • Handle certificate signing later:

    You can leave the Generate CSR… option unselected, and get the certificate signed later. Until the certificate is signed, the new SD-WAN Control Component cannot establish control connections in the network.

The new component appears on the Configuration > Certificates > Control Components page.

What to do next

If you chose to handle certificate signing outside of the workflow, you can handle that using:

  1. From the Cisco SD-WAN Manager menu, choose Configuration > Certificates > Control Components.

  2. Adjacent to the new SD-WAN Control Component, click ... > Generate CSR.