Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

• Introduction to networking and the OSI reference model

  • Introduction to data networks
  • LAN and WAN
  • Application types and requirements
  • The OSI-RM functions and the modular structure of the data network

• Introduction to LAN technology and theEthernet protocols

  • The Ethernet protocol and 10M/100M/1G/10Gbps Ethernet
  • Ethernet media types (Twisted Pairs, cable categories - 5/5e, fiber optical cables and connectors)
  • CSMA/CD algorithm
  • Frame structure (802.3, 802.3, Ethernet-2, Ethernet-SNAP)
  • Common problems

• LAN Switching – Functionality and Operation

  • The LAN bridge characters and operation
  • LAN switch operation
  • LAN switches technology – HD/FD and auto-negotiation
  • VLANs (Virtual LAN) and VLAN tagging
  • The Spanning Tree protocols - STP/RSTP/MSTP
  • LAG and Etherchannel. LAN Structure and topologies
  • Data Center switching

• WAN Protocols and Services

  • The public network structure – access transmission and switching.
  • Traditional Networks architecture and protocols
    • End to end services - FR, ATM and Leased lines
    • Transmission services – SDH and WDM/DWDM
    • Access services – xDSL, CaTV/DOCSIS
  • The 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 Network and Wi-Fi

• Network architecture – elements and network topologies

• The physical layer

  • 801.11a/b/g
  • 801.11n - OFDM ad MIMO

• The MAC layer - Contention Resolution

  • CSMA/CA, RTS, CTS and NAV
  • 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

• Frequencies spectrum re-use
• Call setup and management,
• The main servers - MSC, BSC, BTS and terminals
• Handovers and Channels

Standards and evolution

• 3GPP, 3GPP2 and IMT-2000

• Networks evolution – cdma1 to EVDO/DV and GSM to HSPA and LTE

• Introduction to TCP/IP

  • The TCP/IP model and Common protocols
  • Protocols 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

• 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
  • 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 L3 Switching basics

  • Routing process principles
  • Routing domains and areas
  • Static and 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, Delay, Jitter and Packet Loss

  • Applications 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 – FWs, VPN's, NACs, and security devices.
  • FW operation – packet filtering and statefull inspection.
  • Security protocols – Encryption and Authentication
  • Encryption types and definitions
    • Symmetric-key algorithm. Block and Stream Cyphers.
    • 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 Networks 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