Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Fundamentals of Networking and the OSI Reference Model

• Overview of data networks
• Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN)
• Types of applications and their specific requirements
• OSI Reference Model functions and the modular design of data networks

Foundations of LAN Technology and Ethernet Protocols

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

LAN Switching: Mechanics and Performance

• Characteristics and operations of LAN bridges
• LAN switch functionality
• Switching technologies – Half-Duplex (HD)/Full-Duplex (FD) and auto-negotiation
• Virtual LANs (VLANs) and VLAN tagging
• Spanning Tree protocols – STP/RSTP/MSTP
• Link Aggregation (LAG) and Etherchannel; LAN structures and topologies
• Data Center switching environments

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network architecture – access, transmission, and switching
• Conventional Network architectures and protocols
  • End-to-end services – Frame Relay (FR), ATM, and Leased Lines
  • Transmission services – SDH and WDM/DWDM
  • Access services – xDSL, 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 – components and topologies

Physical Layer

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

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, Contention Windows). Controlled Access (Polling and TXOPs). Managing Quality of Service (ADDBS, Traffic Streams, TSPECs).

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

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

Standards and Evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000

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

Introduction to TCP/IP

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

IPv4 – Protocols and Addressing

• Characteristics of IP
• ARP – Address Resolution Protocol
• IP frame structure
• IP addressing and classes
• Private vs. Public addresses
• Subnetting IP address spaces – VLSM and CIDR
• IP address design (Practical Exercise)
• DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• Multicast and IGMP

IPv6 – Protocols 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

• Overview of 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 challenges

Basics of Routing and L3 Switching

• Principles of the routing process
• Routing domains and areas
• Static vs. 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, Latency, Jitter, and Packet Loss

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

Network Security Fundamentals and Components

• Basics of network security, threats, and vulnerabilities
• Secure network architecture – Firewalls, VPNs, NACs, and security appliances
• 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 fundamentals
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Tokens, Smart Cards, 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
  • Selecting service and vendor architectures
• Topology (Low-Level) Design
  • Enterprise network design
  • LAN/WAN design
  • IP network design
  • Security and privacy design
  • Network management design
• Network operations design