Methods, systems, and computer readable media for managing multiple software defined wide area network (SD-WAN) software versions

A system for managing multiple software defined wide area network (SD-WAN) software versions, the system comprising:

• a controller for defining an overall configuration for an SD-WAN and creating configuration registries for individual SD-WAN appliances to implement their respective portions of the overall configuration, wherein the controller generates first and second configuration registries in an intermediate configuration language and transmits the first and second configuration registries;
• a first SD-WAN appliance for executing a first version of SD-WAN software, receiving the first configuration registry, and using the first configuration registry to configure the first SD-WAN appliance;
• a second SD-WAN appliance for executing a second version of the SD-WAN software different from the first version of the SD-WAN software, receiving the second configuration registry, and using the second configuration registry to configure the second SD-WAN appliance;
• wherein the first and second SD-WAN appliances are configured to negotiate with each other for common SD-WAN features usable to implement configurations specified in the first and second configuration registries.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by a processor of a computer control the computer to perform steps comprising:

• providing a controller that defines an overall configuration for an SD-WAN and that creates configuration registries for individual SD-WAN appliances to implement their respective portions of the overall configuration;
• generating, at the controller and in an intermediate configuration language registry format, a first configuration registry for a first SD-WAN appliance that executes a first version of SD-WAN software;
• generating, at the controller and in the intermediate configuration language, a second configuration registry for a second SD-WAN appliance that executes a second version of the SD-WAN software different from the first version of the SD-WAN software;
• transmitting the first configuration registry to the first SD-WAN appliance and transmitting the second configuration registry to the second SD-WAN appliance;
• receiving the first configuration registry at the first SD-WAN appliance and using the first configuration registry to configure the first SD-WAN appliance;
• receiving the second configuration registry at the second SD-WAN appliance and using the second configuration registry to configure the second SD-WAN appliance;
• and
• negotiating, between the first and second SD-WAN appliances, for common SD-WAN features usable to implement configurations specified in the first and second configuration registries.