8 Best-Selling WAN Books Millions Love

Discover expert-authored WAN Books by Cisco Systems Inc., Brad Edgeworth, and others that deliver best-selling, reader-validated WAN knowledge.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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When millions of readers and top experts agree on a set of WAN books, it signals a wealth of proven knowledge worth your attention. Wide Area Networking remains critical for connecting businesses, enabling cloud access, and supporting modern applications, making reliable guidance more important than ever.

These books, authored by seasoned professionals like Cisco Systems Inc. and Brad Edgeworth, offer authoritative insights into both classic WAN protocols and the rapidly evolving SD-WAN landscape. Their thorough examination of practical deployment, optimization, and security reflects deep industry expertise and real-world impact.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific WAN needs might consider creating a personalized WAN book that combines these validated approaches with your unique background and goals.

Best for enterprise WAN optimization
Brad Edgeworth, CCIE No. 31574 and Cisco Systems Engineer with nearly 20 years of experience, authored this guide to demystify Cisco Intelligent WAN technologies. His extensive background designing networks for Fortune® 500 companies and speaking at Cisco Live events informs the book’s practical approach to WAN optimization, deployment, and security, making it a valuable resource for network professionals aiming to advance their expertise.
Cisco Intelligent WAN (IWAN) (Networking Technology) book cover

by Brad Edgeworth, David Prall, Jean Marc Barozet, Anthony Lockhart, Nir Ben-Dvora··You?

2016·880 pages·WAN, Cisco Networking Equipment, Cisco, Networking, WAN Optimization

Brad Edgeworth, a Cisco Systems Engineer with nearly two decades of experience and a CCIE certification, co-authored this detailed guide to Cisco Intelligent WAN (IWAN). You’ll find clear explanations of how IWAN simplifies WAN design and enhances application performance across branch offices using technologies like DMVPN and Performance Routing. The book dives into practical deployment strategies, including migration from traditional WAN setups, and offers insights on securing networks and optimizing traffic flow. If you manage enterprise WANs or plan to implement Cisco IWAN solutions, this book equips you with the technical know-how to improve network responsiveness and streamline operations.

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Rohan Naggi, co-founder of a technology firm specializing in networking solutions, leverages his extensive experience to deliver a focused exploration of SD-WAN. His expertise grounds this book in the practical realities of modern network demands, offering readers a blueprint to address connectivity challenges faced by businesses today.
SD-WAN The Networking Blueprint for Modern Businesses book cover

by Rohan Naggi, Rachna Srivastava, Tim Van Herck, Steven Woo··You?

2018·139 pages·WAN, SD-WAN, Networking, Cloud Integration, Network Architecture

Rohan Naggi, co-founder of a technology firm focused on networking solutions, brings his deep expertise in SD-WAN to this book, shaping it as a guide for businesses grappling with the limitations of traditional WANs. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how software-defined WAN reshapes network architecture to support mobile workforces, cloud adoption, and bandwidth-intensive applications. The book walks through practical examples, such as VMware NSX SD-WAN's role in sectors like telehealth and retail, illustrating how enterprises optimize connectivity and agility. If your goal is to modernize network infrastructure with an eye on flexibility and scalability, this book offers grounded insights without overpromising.

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Best for custom WAN solutions
This AI-created book on WAN mastery is written based on your unique network background, expertise, and specific challenges. You share which WAN topics and methods you want to focus on, plus your goals, and the book is crafted to cover exactly what you need. Personalization matters here because WAN environments vary widely—this book matches proven approaches to your network’s demands and your learning priorities.
2025·50-300 pages·WAN, Wide Area Networks, WAN Protocols, Network Security, Performance Optimization

This tailored WAN Mastery Blueprint explores battle-tested Wide Area Network methods uniquely suited to your network environment. It covers essential WAN technologies, protocol foundations, security practices, and performance optimization techniques, all matched to your background and specific challenges. The book reveals how to balance traditional approaches with modern innovations like SD-WAN, helping you grasp core concepts and apply them effectively. By focusing on your interests and goals, it transforms broad WAN knowledge into immediately relevant guidance, making complex networking topics approachable and actionable. This personalized exploration offers a clear pathway through WAN design, troubleshooting, and management, enhancing your understanding and practical skills.

Tailored Guide
WAN Performance Tuning
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for SD-WAN technical deployment
SD-WAN 1:1 The What, Why and How offers a detailed, technical perspective on SD-WAN, reflecting the collective experience of VMware's seasoned systems engineers. The book addresses pressing questions about use cases, migration, and system interoperability, making it an essential resource for professionals navigating the shift to modern WAN architectures. By clarifying how SD-WAN supports cloud adoption, application performance, and emerging technologies, this guide benefits network engineers and IT decision-makers looking to integrate SD-WAN confidently into their existing infrastructure.
SD-WAN 1:1 The What, Why and How book cover

by Tejbir Batth Yves Hertoghs Gerd Plfueger Matt Berry, Ray Wong Rohan Naggi Rosa Lear Sajjit Rajagopal Joe Lee Martin Rausche Stephen Lynn Dave Twinam·You?

2019·SD-WAN, WAN, Network Architecture, Cloud Computing, Digital Transformation

The research was clear: traditional WAN architectures weren't keeping pace with evolving cloud demands, prompting the VMware engineers behind this book to share their frontline insights. In "SD-WAN 1:1 The What, Why and How," you gain a technical walkthrough of SD-WAN's role in digital transformation, including its integration with cloud on-ramp and support for modern applications like machine learning. The authors break down common customer concerns, from migration challenges to interoperability, and provide practical guidance on implementing SD-WAN within existing networks. If you manage or design enterprise networks and need clarity on deploying SD-WAN effectively, this book speaks directly to your technical needs without unnecessary jargon.

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Best for Cisco SD-WAN certification
Jason Gooley, CCIE No. 38759 with over 25 years in networking, brings extensive Cisco expertise to this book. As a Technical Evangelist and Cisco Live speaker, Jason’s passion for empowering IT professionals shines through, making this a trusted resource for mastering Cisco SD-WAN. His involvement in developing Cisco’s certification exams and mentoring CCIE candidates ensures this guide aligns closely with industry standards and real-world demands.
2020·608 pages·WAN, SD-WAN, Cisco, Networking, Cisco Technology

Unlike most WAN books that focus solely on theory, this guide dives deep into Cisco's SD-WAN technology with practical focus on exam preparation and deployment strategies. Authored by Jason Gooley and his co-authors, all seasoned Cisco experts, it equips you with detailed protocols, security measures, and architectural insights crucial for mastering Cisco SD-WAN. Chapters methodically cover controller and router deployment, policy management, and quality of service, reinforced by review questions and practice tests that sharpen both conceptual understanding and hands-on skills. Ideal for IT professionals aiming to certify or enhance their proficiency in next-generation WAN technologies, it’s less suited for casual readers without networking background.

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Cheng Sheng, Chief Architect of Huawei’s SD-WAN Solution, brings nearly two decades of experience in network product and solution design to this book. His deep expertise in product development and network engineering underpins the detailed exploration of SD-WAN architectures and technologies presented here. Cheng’s role at Huawei, a pioneer in SD-WAN solutions, uniquely qualifies him to guide you through the practical aspects of design, deployment, and operation that this book covers.
2021·460 pages·WAN, SD-WAN, Networking, Network Architecture, Network Planning

Starting with challenges faced by enterprise WANs, this book by Cheng Sheng and his colleagues at Huawei digs into the architecture and technologies of software-defined WANs with clarity and precision. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of SD-WAN’s system design, operating mechanisms, and real-world deployment cases, including Huawei’s own solution. The authors share practical insights on design methods and deployment strategies, making it a solid choice if you’re involved in network planning or support. While it leans towards technical readers, anyone interested in modern WAN architectures will find concrete examples and detailed analyses that clarify this evolving technology.

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Best for rapid WAN improvements
This AI-created book on WAN optimization is designed specifically for you, based on your current knowledge and the precise WAN topics you want to master. By combining broad, reader-validated insights with your unique goals, it provides focused, actionable content that suits your background. Customizing this book means you won’t have to sift through unrelated material — you get exactly what you need to accelerate your WAN improvements. This personalized approach makes learning more efficient and directly applicable to your network challenges.
2025·50-300 pages·WAN, Wide Area Networks, Network Optimization, SD-WAN Integration, Performance Tuning

This tailored book explores the dynamic world of Wide Area Network (WAN) enhancements, focusing on rapid improvements achievable within 30 days. It reveals how to accelerate WAN performance by combining widely validated knowledge with your unique background and goals. The content is carefully tailored to match your interests and skill level, enabling you to focus on practical improvements that directly impact your network's efficiency and reliability. By examining key concepts like network optimization, troubleshooting, and emerging WAN technologies, this book offers a personalized path through complex material. It empowers you to take clear, focused steps toward faster, more effective WAN deployments and management.

Tailored Guide
Performance Tuning
3,000+ Books Generated
Best for practical SD-WAN management
Stuart Fordham, CCIE 49337 and Network Manager at SmartCommunications SC Ltd, leverages his deep expertise to guide you through transforming traditional WANs into agile, cost-effective SD-WAN environments. His extensive authorship on network technologies and hands-on leadership in cloud-based communication platforms underscore the practical insights packed into this book, making it a reliable resource for mastering Cisco SD-WAN deployment and management.
2021·448 pages·WAN, SD-WAN, Networking, Cisco Technologies, Network Management

Stuart Fordham, with his extensive experience as a Network Manager and Infrastructure Team Leader, brings a practical and detailed perspective to SD-WAN technology in this book. You’ll learn not just the theory behind SD-WAN, but also how to deploy and manage it using Cisco’s tools, including hands-on guidance on setting up components like vManage and vSmart. The book breaks down complex protocols and configurations into manageable segments, with chapters dedicated to zero-touch provisioning, policy application, and troubleshooting techniques such as DTLS and TLOC analysis. If you’re a network professional familiar with Linux and Cisco devices looking to evolve your WAN into a more flexible and efficient system, this book offers a focused roadmap without unnecessary jargon.

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Cisco IOS 12.0 Wide Area Networking Solutions stands out for its thorough treatment of internetworking technologies crucial to WAN infrastructure. Cisco Systems Inc. delivers a detailed framework covering protocols such as ATM, Frame Relay, and X.25, explaining both their functions and practical application within LAN/WAN setups. This book’s appeal lies in its methodical approach and depth, making it a go-to reference for network professionals seeking reliable guidance on WAN implementation. Its focus on integration and technology specifics makes it especially useful for engineers aiming to build robust, efficient networks.
1999·618 pages·WAN, Cisco IOS, Cisco, Networking, ATM

What makes this book both expert-recommended and reader-beloved is its detailed exploration of key WAN technologies like ATM, Frame Relay, SMDS, LAPB, and X.25. Cisco Systems Inc. crafted a resource that not only explains how these protocols function but also guides you through integrating them into LAN/WAN environments, which is invaluable for network engineers managing complex infrastructures. You’ll find chapters that methodically unpack each technology’s role and configuration, helping you develop a solid operational grasp. This book suits professionals involved in designing, deploying, or maintaining WANs who need to deepen their technical understanding rather than just skim high-level concepts.

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Best for Cisco IOS WAN configuration
This book offers a thorough examination of Cisco's networking alternatives tailored for wide area networks. Published by Cisco Systems, it presents the most current WAN technologies available through Cisco IOS and guides you through implementing them effectively. By focusing on Cisco's extensive internetworking solutions, it addresses the needs of network administrators and engineers aiming to deepen their understanding of WAN protocols and configurations. Its detailed documentation from the Cisco IOS Reference Library makes it a key resource for those working with Cisco equipment in WAN environments.
1998·558 pages·WAN, Cisco IOS, Cisco Networking Equipment, Cisco, Networking

While working as a network engineer, Mark McGregor noticed a gap in practical resources that thoroughly explained Cisco's WAN technologies. This book dives deep into Cisco IOS protocols and services, clarifying how to configure and manage wide area networks effectively. You'll gain hands-on knowledge about Cisco's internetworking solutions, illustrated with detailed documentation and configuration examples. It's particularly useful if you're responsible for maintaining or designing complex WAN infrastructures using Cisco equipment. The book's focus on current technologies of its time ensures you understand both the theory and application specific to Cisco IOS environments.

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Conclusion

This collection highlights two clear themes: the enduring value of foundational WAN technologies and the dynamic rise of SD-WAN as a transformative force in enterprise networking. These books collectively offer both time-tested methods and fresh perspectives to keep your network ahead of the curve.

If you prefer proven methods, start with classics like "Cisco IOS 12.0 Wide Area Networking Solutions" and "CISCO IOS Wide Area Networking Soulutions" for deep protocol knowledge. For validated approaches to modern challenges, combine titles such as "SD-WAN The Networking Blueprint for Modern Businesses" and "Cisco Software-Defined Wide Area Networks".

Alternatively, you can create a personalized WAN book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in mastering WAN technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which WAN book should I start with?

Start with "Cisco Intelligent WAN" for a solid foundation in enterprise WAN optimization. It balances theory and practical deployment, making it a great entry point before exploring more specialized SD-WAN topics.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to WAN?

While some books dive deep into technical details, titles like "Learning SD-WAN with Cisco" are designed with hands-on guidance that suits those new to WAN and seeking practical understanding.

Should I read the newest book or a classic first?

Combining both is ideal. Classics like "Cisco IOS 12.0 Wide Area Networking Solutions" build groundwork, while newer books such as "SD-WAN The Networking Blueprint for Modern Businesses" reveal current trends and technologies.

Do these books focus more on theory or practical application?

They offer a mix. For example, "Software-Defined Wide Area Network Architectures and Technologies" provides architectural theory, while "Cisco Software-Defined Wide Area Networks" emphasizes hands-on deployment and exam prep.

Can I skip some books or do I need to read them all?

You can selectively read based on your goals. If you're focused on Cisco environments, prioritize Cisco-authored titles. For broader SD-WAN strategies, the other books provide complementary perspectives.

How can I get WAN content tailored to my specific needs without reading multiple books?

You can create a personalized WAN book that blends proven expert insights with your unique background and goals, saving time while focusing on what matters most to you.

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