Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Networking Fundamentals and the OSI Reference Model

• Overview of data networks
• Characteristics of LANs and WANs
• Types of applications and their specific requirements
• OSI-RM functions and the modular design of data networks

LAN Technologies and Ethernet Protocols

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

LAN Switching: Functionality and Operations

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• Operational principles of LAN switches
• LAN 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 solutions

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network structures: 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, 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, components, and topologies

Physical Layer

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

MAC Layer and Contention Resolution

• CSMA/CA, RTS, CTS, and NAV mechanisms
• IEEE 802.11 frame format and addressing schemes

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); QoS control mechanisms (ADDTS, Traffic Streams, TSPECs)

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

• Frequency spectrum reuse
• Call setup and management processes
• Key network elements: MSC, BSC, BTS, and terminals
• Handovers and channel allocation

Standards and Evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000 frameworks

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
• Key standardization organizations

IPv4: Protocols and Addressing

• IP characteristics
• ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
• IP packet structure
• IP addressing schemes and address classes
• Private versus public address spaces
• Subnetting IP address space: 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 address formats and categories
• The Auto-configuration process
• Migration strategies 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 mechanisms
• TCP sliding window, slow start, and congestion avoidance
• Sequence numbers and acknowledgments
• Calculating maximum TCP throughput (based on Window Size and RTT)
• Go-back-N and Selective-Repeat algorithms
• Common TCP performance issues

Routing and Layer 3 Switching Fundamentals

• Principles of the routing process
• Routing domains and areas
• Static versus 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 Fundamentals and Components

• Basics of network security, common threats, and vulnerabilities
• Secured network architectures: Firewalls (FWs), VPNs, NACs, and security devices
• Firewall operations: 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 modeling
• High-Level Architecture Design
  • Component architecture and Reference architectures
  • Architectural models
  • Systems and network architectures
  • Selection of service and vendor architectures
• Low-Level Topology Design
  • Enterprise network design
  • LAN/WAN design
  • IP network design
  • Security and privacy design
  • Network management design
• Network operations design