Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Introduction to Networking and the OSI Reference Model

• Overview of data networks
• Concepts of LAN and WAN
• Application types and specific requirements
• Functions of the OSI-RM and the modular structure of data networks

Introduction to LAN Technology and Ethernet Protocols

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

LAN Switching – Functionality and Operation

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• Operational mechanics of LAN switches
• LAN switch technologies – Half-Duplex/Full-Duplex (HD/FD) and auto-negotiation
• VLANs (Virtual LANs) and VLAN tagging
• Spanning Tree protocols – STP/RSTP/MSTP
• Link Aggregation Groups (LAG) and EtherChannel; LAN structures and topologies
• Data Center switching solutions

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network structure – access transmission and switching
• Traditional network architectures and protocols
  • End-to-end services – Frame Relay (FR), ATM, and Leased lines
  • Transmission services – SDH and WDM/DWDM
  • Access services – xDSL, and Cable TV/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 – key elements and topologies

The Physical Layer

• 802.11a/b/g standards
• 802.11n – OFDM and MIMO technologies

The MAC Layer - Contention Resolution

• CSMA/CA, RTS, CTS, and NAV mechanisms
• IEEE 802.11 frame formats and addressing

Additional Features

• Wi-Fi security – WEP, EAP, TLS, TTLS, and 802.11x

Wi-Fi QoS – Contention-based access (AIFS, Access Categories, Contention Windows), controlled access (Polling and TXOPs), and QoS control mechanisms (ADDTS, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs).

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

• Frequency spectrum re-use
• Call setup and management
• Core servers – MSC, BSC, BTS, and terminals
• Handovers and channel management

Standards and Evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000 standards

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
• Standard-setting organizations

IPv4 – Protocol and Addressing

• Characteristics of IP
• ARP – Address Resolution Protocol
• IP frame structure
• IP addressing schemes and address classes
• Private and public address spaces
• Subnetting IP address spaces – VLSM and CIDR
• IP address design (Practical 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 address types and categories
• Auto-configuration process
• Migration strategies 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 mechanisms
• TCP sliding window, slow-start, and congestion avoidance
• Sequence and acknowledgment numbers
• Calculating maximum TCP throughput (Window Size and RTT)
• Go-back-N and Selective Repeat algorithms
• TCP performance considerations

Routing and L3 Switching Basics

• Principles of the routing process
• Routing domains and areas
• Static and dynamic routing methods
• Distance-vector and Link-state protocols
• Routing metrics
• RIP and OSPF protocols
• BGP – eBGP and iBGP
• Layer 3 Switching
• Static and Dynamic NAT
• HSRP and VRRP protocols
• QoS in IP Networks

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

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

Network Security Basics and Components

• Fundamentals of network security, threats, and vulnerabilities
• Secure network architecture – Firewalls (FWs), VPNs, NACs, and security devices
• Firewall operation – packet filtering and stateful inspection
• Security protocols – Encryption and Authentication
• Encryption types and definitions
  • Symmetric-key algorithms, Block and Stream Ciphers
  • Public-key cryptography
  • Hash Functions
• Authentication fundamentals
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Tokens and Smart Card encryption
  • OTP – One-Time Passwords

Introduction to Data Network Design

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