Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Overview of Networking and the OSI Reference Model

• Introduction to data networks
• LANs and WANs
• Application types and their requirements
• OSI Reference Model functions and the modular design of data networks

Introduction to LAN Technologies and Ethernet Protocols

• The Ethernet protocol and 10M/100M/1G/10Gbps Ethernet standards
• Ethernet media types (twisted pairs, cable categories 5/5e, fiber optic cables, and connectors)
• The CSMA/CD algorithm
• Frame structure (802.3, 802.3, Ethernet-2, Ethernet-SNAP)
• Common troubleshooting issues

LAN Switching: Functionality and Operations

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• How LAN switches operate
• LAN switch technologies – Half-Duplex/Full-Duplex (HD/FD) and auto-negotiation
• VLANs (Virtual LANs) and VLAN tagging
• Spanning Tree protocols - STP/RSTP/MSTP
• LAG and Etherchannel. LAN structure and topologies
• Data Center switching

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network structure – access transmission and switching.
• Traditional network architectures and protocols
  • End-to-end services - FR, ATM, and Leased lines
  • Transmission services – SDH and WDM/DWDM
  • Access services – xDSL, CaTV/DOCSIS
• Next-generation networks
  • End-to-end services – Carrier Ethernet and MPLS IP-Based services
  • Transmission networks – Carrier Ethernet
  • Access networks – advanced xDSL, DOCSIS, and Optical technologies

Wireless Networks and Wi-Fi

Network architecture – elements and network topologies

The Physical Layer

• 801.11a/b/g
• 801.11n - OFDM and MIMO

The MAC Layer - Contention Resolution

• CSMA/CA, RTS, CTS, and NAV
• IEEE 802.11 Frame Format and Addressing

Additional Features

• WiFi security – WEP, EAP, TLS, TTLS, and 802.11x

WiFi QoS - Contention-Based Access - AIFS, Access Categories, and Contention Windows. Controlled Access - Polling and TXOPs. Managing Quality of Service - ADDTS, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs.

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

• Frequencies spectrum re-use
• Call setup and management,
• Key servers - MSC, BSC, BTS, and terminals
• Handovers and Channels

Standards and Evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000

Network evolution – from cdma1 to EVDO/DV and from GSM to HSPA and LTE

Introduction to TCP/IP

• The TCP/IP model and common protocols
• Protocol operations
• Standardization organizations

IPv4 – Protocol and Addressing

• IP characteristics
• ARP – Address Resolution Protocol
• IP frame structure
• IP addressing and address classes
• Private and public addresses
• Subnetting an IP address space – VLSM and CIDR
• IP address design (Exercise)
• DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• Multicast and IGMP

IPv6 – Protocol and Addressing

• IPv6 characteristics and comparison with IPv4
• Packet structure and headers (overview)
• IPv6 addresses and address categories
• The Auto-configuration process
• Migration from IPv4

Layer 4 Protocols – TCP and UDP

• Introduction to layer 4 protocols and well-known ports
• UDP packet structure and operation
• TCP packet structure and operation
• TCP connectivity and reliability
• TCP sliding window, slow-start, and congestion avoidance
• Sequence and acknowledgment numbers
• Calculating TCP maximum throughput (WS and RTT)
• Go-back-N and Selective-Repeat
• TCP performance issues

Routing and Layer 3 Switching Fundamentals

• Principles of the routing process
• Routing domains and areas
• Static and dynamic routing
• Distance-vector and Link-state protocols
• Routing metrics
• RIP and OSPF
• BGP – eBGP and iBGP
• L3 Switching
• Static and Dynamic NAT
• HSRP and VRRP
• QoS in IP Networks

QoS Parameters – Bandwidth, Delay, Jitter, and Packet Loss

• Application requirements and network behavior
• Classification and marking, Policing and shaping, Queuing, RED/WRED

Network Security Fundamentals and Components

• Network security basics, threats, and vulnerabilities.
• Secure network architecture – FWs, VPNs, NACs, and security devices.
• FW operation – packet filtering and stateful inspection.
• Security protocols – Encryption and Authentication
• Types and definitions of encryption
  • Symmetric-key algorithms. Block and Stream Ciphers.
  • Public-key cryptography.
  • Hash Functions.
• Authentication basics
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Tokens and Smart Card Encryption Wireless encryption protocols
  • OTP - One Time Passwords

Introduction to Data Network Design

• Introduction to Network Engineering
  • Requirements analysis
  • Flow models
• High-Level Architecture Design
  • Component architecture and reference architecture
  • Architectural models
  • Systems and network architectures
  • Service and vendor architecture choices
• Low-Level Topology Design
  • Enterprise network design
  • LAN/WAN design
  • IP network design
  • Security and privacy design
  • Network management design
• Network operations design