Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Networking Fundamentals and the OSI Reference Model

• Overview of data networks
• LANs and WANs
• Application types and their specific requirements
• Functions of the OSI-RM and the modular structure of data networks

LAN Technologies and Ethernet Protocols

• Ethernet protocols and speeds (10M/100M/1G/10Gbps)
• Ethernet media types (Twisted pair cabling, Cat5/Cat5e, fiber optic cables and connectors)
• The CSMA/CD algorithm
• Frame structures (802.3, Ethernet-2, Ethernet-SNAP)
• Common network issues

LAN Switching: Functionality and Operations

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• LAN switch operation mechanisms
• LAN switch technologies – Half/Full Duplex 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 architecture and protocols
  • End-to-end services – Frame Relay (FR), ATM, and Leased lines
  • Transmission services – SDH and WDM/DWDM
  • Access services – xDSL, CATV/DOCSIS
• New 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

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

The MAC Layer – Contention Resolution

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

Additional Features

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

Wi-Fi QoS – Contention-Based Access (AIFS, Access Categories, and Contention Windows). Controlled Access (Polling and TXOPs). Controlling Quality of Service (ADDTs, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs).

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

• Frequency spectrum re-use
• Call setup and management
• Key network elements – MSC, BSC, BTS, and terminals
• Handovers and Channels

Standards and Evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000

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

Introduction to TCP/IP

• The TCP/IP model and common protocols
• Protocol operation
• Standard organizations

IPv4 – Protocol and Addressing

• IP characteristics
• ARP – Address Resolution Protocol
• The 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 to IPv4
• Packet structure and headers (brief)
• 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 acknowledge numbers
• TCP maximum throughput (WS and RTT) calculation
• Go-back-N and Selective-Repeat
• TCP performance issues

Routing and Layer 3 Switching Basics

• 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
• Layer 3 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 Basics and Components

• Network security basics, threats, and vulnerabilities
• Secured 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 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
• Architecture (High-Level) Design
  • Component architecture and the Reference architecture
  • Architectural models
  • Systems and network architectures
  • Service and vendor architecture choices
• Topology (Low-Level) Design
  • Enterprise networks design
  • LAN/WAN design
  • IP networks design
  • Security and privacy design
  • Network management design
• Network operations design