Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Introduction to networking and the OSI reference model

• Overview of data networks
• Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN)
• Application types and specific requirements
• OSI Reference Model functions and the modular structure of data networks

Introduction to LAN technology and theEthernet protocols

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

LAN Switching – Functionality and Operation

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

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
• 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 Network and Wi-Fi

Network architecture – elements 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

• WiFi security – WEP, EAP, TLS, TTLS, and 802.11x

WiFi 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 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
• Standardization bodies

IPv4 – Protocol and Addressing

• IP protocol characteristics
• ARP – Address Resolution Protocol
• IP frame structure
• IP addressing and address classes
• Private vs. 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 addresses and address categories
• The Auto-configuration process
• Migration strategies from IPv4

L4 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 TCP maximum throughput (WS 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
• 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 fundamentals, threats, and vulnerabilities.
• Secure network architecture – 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, Smart Cards, and Wireless encryption protocols
  • OTP - One Time Passwords

Introduction to Data Networks 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