Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Introduction to Networking and the OSI Reference Model

• Foundations of data networks
• Differences between LANs and WANs
• Application types and specific requirements
• OSI-RM functions and the modular architecture of data networks

Introduction to LAN Technology and Ethernet Protocols

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

LAN Switching – Functionality and Operation

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• Operational mechanisms of LAN switches
• LAN switch technology – Half-Duplex/Full-Duplex and auto-negotiation
• VLANs (Virtual LANs) and VLAN tagging
• Spanning Tree protocols (STP/RSTP/MSTP)
• Link Aggregation Groups (LAG) and Etherchannel. LAN structure and topologies
• Data Center switching concepts

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, Cable TV/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 – components and topologies

The physical layer

• 801.11a/b/g standards
• 801.11n – OFDM and MIMO

The MAC layer – Contention Resolution

• CSMA/CA, RTS, CTS, and NAV mechanisms
• 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). Quality of Service controls (ADDTS, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs).

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

• Frequency spectrum reuse
• Call setup and management
• Key servers – MSC, BSC, BTS, and terminals
• Handovers and channel management

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
• Standardisation bodies

IPv4 – Protocol and Addressing

• IP characteristics
• ARP – Address Resolution Protocol
• IP frame structure
• IP addressing and address classes
• Private and public addresses
• Subnetting IP address space – 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 addresses and address categories
• The auto-configuration process
• Migrating 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 numbers and acknowledgements
• Calculating TCP maximum throughput (WS and RTT)
• Go-back-N and Selective-Repeat mechanisms
• 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

• Basics of network security, threats, and vulnerabilities.
• Secured network architectures – firewalls, VPNs, NACs, and security devices.
• Firewall 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, smart card encryption, and 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 reference architecture
  • Architectural models
  • Systems and network architectures
  • Service and vendor architecture choices
• Topology (Low-Level) Design
  • Enterprise network design
  • LAN/WAN design
  • IP network design
  • Security and privacy design
  • Network management design
• Network operations design