A strong foundation of basic networking concepts is fundamental to a successful career in information technology, and in our popular Understanding Networking Fundamentals course, you'll gain those real-world, practical skills.

In this broad-based foundational course, you'll move step-by-step through the basics of data networking, practicing with leading-edge technologies from Cisco, Juniper, ADTRAN, HP, Dell, and Microsoft.

With a strong foundation and an understanding of basic network functions, standards, and protocols, you will be prepared to tackle advanced networking skills including TCP/IP, security, wireless integration, and Voice over IP.

What You'll Learn

• How switches and routers interconnect using equipment from multiple vendors
• IP addressing and how to create subnets
• How TCP/IP works and how to configure it on various devices
• Capture and view network traffic using a protocol analyzer
• Wireless network options available
• Basic security and firewall issues
• How Ethernet works and how all of the various forms can be connected
• Basics of layered network protocols
• Difference between logical and physical network segments
• Install Cat 5e UTP and fiber optic cables
• How VLANs function
• When and how to use NAT
• Function of various routing protocols such as RIP, EIGRP, and OSPF
• An overview of WAN technologies
• Functions of NetBIOS and NetBEUI
• Benefits and issues of Instant Communications

Who Needs to Attend

Anyone who wants to gain a solid networking foundation in a real-world, multi-vendor environment or wants to take the first step in preparing for a career as an IT professional.

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Information Technology (CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals)

Follow-On Courses

• TCP/IP Networking

Course Outline

1. Network Overview

• Defining a Network
  • Reasons to Use a Network
• Network Components
  • End Devices
  • Operating Systems
  • Network Infrastructure
  • Network Types
  • Network Services

2. Network Functions and Standards

• Generic Network Functions
• Standards Organizations
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
  • Common WAN Serial Interface Standards
• Internet Organizations
  • Internet Standards Process
• OSI Model Overview
  • Layer 1: Physical Layer
  • Layer 2: Data Link Layer
  • Layer 3: Network Layer
  • Layer 4: Transport Layer
  • Layer 5: Session Layer
  • Layer 6: Presentation Layer
  • Layer 7: Application Layer
• TCP/IP Model

3. Local Signaling Media

• Serial Cabling Specifications
  • Media Interface Specifications
  • DCE and DTE Specifications
• Twisted-Pair Cabling Specifications
  • Cable Runs
  • Unshielded Twisted Pair Cabling
  • Half-Duplex and Full-Duplex Operation
  • Seven Keys to Successful UTP Wiring
• Fiber Optic Cabling Systems
  • Fiber Optic Cabling Types
• Wireless Networking Systems
  • Wireless Network Preparation
  • Cellular Modem

4. Ethernet

• Ethernet Overview
  • Network Interface Cards
  • Ethernet Addressing
• Ethernet Standards
  • 10 Mbps Ethernet Connectivity Options
  • 100 Mbps Ethernet Connectivity Options
  • Gigabit Ethernet Overview
  • 10 Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity Options
  • 40 Gigabits and 100 Gigabits
• Ethernet Version II Frame Structure
  • Ethernet Type Field
  • IEEE 802.3 with 802.2 Frame Format
  • Captured Frame Displayed by a Protocol Analyzer
• Ethernet Equipment Overview
  • Ethernet Ports and Connectors
  • Ethernet Switches
  • Routers
  • Integrating 10, 100, and 1,000 Mbps and 10 Gbps Ethernet
• Ethernet Performance Issues

5. Switching

• Switching Overview
  • Current Switch Installations
• Switch Operation Overview
  • The Learning Process
  • The Flooding Process Part1
  • The Forwarding and Filtering Process
  • The Flooding Process Part 2
  • Switch Loop Problems
• Switch Configuration
  • Port Security
• Spanning Tree Algorithm Overview
  • STA Root Switch Election
  • STA Path Selection
  • Spanning Tree Timers
  • STA Self-Healing Ability
• VLAN Overview
  • VLAN Configuration
  • VLAN Operation
  • VLANs on Multiple Switches
• Switch Troubleshooting

6. Logical Addressing

• Logical Address Overview
• Binary Numbering
  • Converting Binary to Decimal
  • Converting Decimal to Binary
  • Conversion Practice
• Dotted Decimal Notation
• Logical Address Types
• Class-Based Addressing
  • Network-Specific Addresses
• Reserved Addresses
• Private Addresses
• Network Masking
• Classless Addressing

7. Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)

• Address Resolution Overview
• ARP Process
  • ARP Messages
• ARP Cache
  • Duplicate MAC Addresses
• Gratuitous ARP
• Proxy ARP
• ARP Restrictions
  • ARP Command

8. Network Layer Process

• Logical Addressing
  • Network Loop Handling
  • Routing Decision-Making
  • Path Control
  • Multicast Management
• Communication Flexibility
  • Multiplexing
  • Data Length Management
• Quality of Service
  • Data Receipt Verification
• Diagnostics
  • Logical Error Review

9. Subnetting

• Subnetting Overview
  • Communication Between Hosts
  • IP Address and Mask
• Subnetting Basics
  • Subnet Rules
  • Subnetting Decisions
  • Four Key Addresses
• Case Study
  • Onageristic Analysis Inc.
  • Masking for Subnets
  • Masking for Interfaces
  • Headquarters Addressing
  • East Addressing
  • West Addressing
  • WWAN Addressing

10. Routing

• Routing Overview
  • Logical Segmentation
• Static Links vs. Dynamic Routing
• Router Configuration Overview
  • Routing Protocols
  • Routing Metrics
  • Routing Decisions
• Routing Protocol Operation
  • Routing Information Protocol
  • RIP Routing Tables
  • Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
  • Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP)
  • Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)

11. WAN Overview

• WAN Overview
  • Telecommunications Infrastructure
  • Connection Types: PVC and SVC
  • WAN Technologies
• WAN Circuit-Switching
  • Wide Area Transmission Rates
  • SONET
  • Leased Lines
• WAN Packet-Switching
  • Packet-Switching Networks
  • Metro/Carrier Ethernet
  • X.25 Overview
  • Frame Relay Overview

12. Host-to-Host Handling

• Process Identification
  • Application Port Numbering
  • Temporary Ports
  • Port Address Translation
• Connectionless Function
  • Connectionless Support
• Connection-Based Functions
  • Connection Handshake
  • Connection Shutdown

13. Supporting Processes

• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
  • Four-Step IP Addressing Process
• Domain Name System
  • Internet Naming Hierarchy
  • Top-Level Domains
  • Country Domains
  • Dynamic DNS
• ICMP Overview
  • The ping Command
  • Variation Reports

14. NetBIOS and NetBEUI

• A Historical Perspective
  • What is NetBIOS?
  • NetBIOS Services
  • NetBIOS vs. NetBEUI
  • NetBIOS over TCP/IP
• Server Message Block
  • SMB Security
• NetBIOS Limitations
  • The net Commands
  • The nbtstat Command

15. Security

• Network Security Overview
  • Network Security Assessment
  • Attack Types
  • Hackers and Attackers
  • Authentication
  • Enciphering
  • Intrusion Detection Systems
• Content Filtering
  • Firewalls
  • Personal Firewalls
  • Packet Filters
  • Proxy Servers
  • Stateful Inspection Firewalls
• Security Levels
  • Single-Layer Protection
  • Double-Layer Protection
  • Triple-Layer Protection
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
• Develop a Security Plan
  • Vulnerability Assessment

16. User and Manager Processes

• User and Manager Processes Overview
• Terminal Emulation
• File Transfer
  • Connection-Based File Transfer
  • Connectionless File Transfer
• E-Mail
  • Sending E-Mail
  • Retrieving E-Mail
• Web Browsing
  • Uniform Resource Locator
• Network Management

17. Wireless LANs

• Wireless LAN Overview
  • Wireless LAN Components
  • Wireless Design Issues
• Wireless LAN Standards
  • IEEE 802.11b
  • IEEE 802.11a
  • IEEE 802.11g
  • IEEE 802.11n
  • Wi-Fi Alliance
• Wireless Security
  • Basic Security Steps
  • Wired Equivalent Privacy
  • Wi-Fi Protected Access
  • Wi-Fi Protected Access 2
• Standard Optional Solutions
  • Cellular Wi-Fi Router

18. Instant Communications

• Instant Messaging Overview
  • Integrated Communications
  • Presence Awareness
  • Security Issues
• Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act
• Standards
  • SIMPLE
  • XMPP
• Short Message Service
  • SMS Center
• Enhanced Messaging Service
• Multimedia Messaging Service
• Potential Future

19. Networking Advances

• Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)
  • IPv6 Addressing
  • Internet2
• What is Unified Communications?
  • UC Components
  • Unified Messaging
  • Presence
  • Web Conferencing
  • Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
• Voice over IP
  • Uses for VoIP
  • Why VoIP Instead of Traditional Voice?
• IPTV
  • Streaming
  • Protocol Decisions

Labs

Lab 1: Network Equipment

• Identifying the Equipment
• Identifying the Cabling in the Classroom
• Identifying the Lab Configurations

Lab 2: Simple Networking with Ethernet

• Configuring your PC
• Cables Might Matter
• Connecting to the Hub
• Using netstat

Lab 3: Elementary Protocol Analysis

• The Protocol Analyzer
• Traffic Flow in a Hub Network
• Error Messages

Lab 4: Exploring Layer 2 Switching

• Using a Single Workgroup Switch
• Using Switches to Isolate Traffic Among Ports
• Viewing the Switch Forwarding Table
• Using Multiple Switches
• Controlling Traffic with the Spanning Tree Protocol
• Viewing Forwarding Tables from Other Vendors

Lab 5: Logical Addressing

• Identifying Classes of Addresses
• Identifying Public and Private Addresses
• Identifying Properly Formatted Masks
• Identifying Masks and Prefixes
• IP Network Address Selection
• Labeling an IP Network with Correct Addresses

Lab 6: Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) Processing

• View the ARP Cache
• Verify the ARP Cache Entries for the Classroom
• View an ARP Exchange Using the Protocol Analyzer

Lab 7: Subnetting

• Selecting Masks for Various Problems
• Creating a Subnet Plan
• Labeling the Network Diagram

Lab 8: Routing

• Add Routers to the Networks
• Convert Your Workstation to DHCP for Address Assignment
• Workgroup 1 Router Information
• Workgroup 2 Router Information
• Configurations

Lab 9: IP Header Analysis

• IP Header Information

Lab 10: TCP Operation

• Viewing a TCP Session
• Locating and Documenting the Three-Step Startup Process
• Locating and Documenting the Application Login Process
• Locating and Documenting the Logout Process
• Locating and Documenting TCP Session Termination

Lab 11: DHCP Operation and Analysis

• Viewing the Result of DHCP Failure
• Viewing Your DHCP Configuration
• View a UDP Header
• View the Four-Step DHCP Process

Lab 12: DNS

• Querying a DNS Server with nslookup
• Viewing a DNS Request
• Viewing a DNS Response

Lab 13: ICMP

• Examining an Echo Request/Echo Response Message Pair
• Examining a Network Unreachable Message

Lab 14: Network Security

• Implementing the Windows XP Firewall Function
• Testing the Windows XP Firewall Function
• Viewing the Configuration of the Firewall Implementation in the Network
• Testing the Network Firewall Function

Lab 15: User Processes

• Viewing an SMTP Session
• Viewing a POP3 Session

Lab 16: Wireless Networking

• Setting Up a Wireless Connection
• Verifying Your New IP Address
• Determining Your Wireless Connectivity

Lab 17: Instant Messaging

• o Instant Messaging

Lab 18: Leading Edge Processes

• Preparing for Voice over IP
• Placing a Call
• Watching the Call Process