Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Networking Fundamentals and the OSI Reference Model

• Overview of data networks
• LANs and WANs
• Application types and their specific requirements
• Functions of the OSI Reference Model and the modular structure of data networks

LAN Technology and Ethernet Protocols

• Ethernet protocols and speeds (10M/100M/1G/10Gbps)
• Ethernet media types, including twisted pair cables (Cat 5/5e), fiber optic cables, and connectors
• The CSMA/CD algorithm
• Frame structure (802.3, Ethernet-2, Ethernet-SNAP)
• Common operational problems

LAN Switching: Functionality and Operation

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• LAN switch operation principles
• LAN switch technologies – Half-Duplex (HD)/Full-Duplex (FD) and auto-negotiation
• Virtual LANs (VLANs) and VLAN tagging
• Spanning Tree Protocols – STP, RSTP, and MSTP
• Link Aggregation (LAG) and EtherChannel, alongside LAN structure and topologies
• Data Center switching

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 Networks and Wi-Fi

Network architecture – key elements and network topologies

The Physical Layer

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

The MAC Layer – Contention Resolution

• CSMA/CA, RTS, CTS, and NAV
• IEEE 802.11 Frame Format and Addressing

Additional Features

• Wi-Fi security – WEP, EAP, TLS, TTLS, and 802.11x

Wi-Fi Quality of Service (QoS) – Contention-Based Access (AIFS, Access Categories, and Contention Windows); Controlled Access (Polling and TXOPs); Controlling QoS (ADDTs, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs).

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

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

Standards and Evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000

Network evolution – from cdmaOne to EV-DO/DV, and from GSM to HSPA and LTE

Introduction to TCP/IP

• The TCP/IP model and common protocols
• Protocol operation mechanisms
• 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 overview)
• IPv6 addresses and address categories
• The Auto-configuration process
• Migration 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 and acknowledge numbers
• TCP maximum throughput (Window Size and RTT) calculation
• Go-back-N and Selective-Repeat
• 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

• Network security fundamentals, threats, and vulnerabilities.
• Secure network architecture – Firewalls (FWs), VPNs, Network Access Control (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 and Smart Card Encryption, Wireless encryption protocols
  • OTP – One-Time Passwords

Introduction to Data Network Design

• Introduction to Network Engineering
  • Requirements analysis
  • Flow models
• High-Level Architecture Design
  • Component architecture and Reference architecture
  • Architectural models
  • Systems and network architectures
  • Service and vendor architecture choices
• Low-Level Topology Design
  • Enterprise network design
  • LAN/WAN design
  • IP network design
  • Security and privacy design
  • Network management design
• Network operations design