Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Introduction to Networking and the OSI Reference Model

• Overview of data networks
• Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs)
• Types and requirements of network applications
• OSI-RM functions and the modular design of data networks

LAN Technology and Ethernet Protocols

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

LAN Switching: Functionality and Operations

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• How LAN switches operate
• 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 Groups (LAG) and Etherchannel; LAN structure and topologies
• Data Center switching concepts

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network structure: access, transmission, and switching
• Traditional network architectures and protocols
  • End-to-end services: Frame Relay (FR), ATM, and Leased Lines
  • Transmission services: SDH and WDM/DWDM
  • Access services: xDSL and Cable TV (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: elements and topologies

Physical Layer

• 801.11a/b/g standards
• 801.11n with OFDM and MIMO technologies

MAC Layer: Contention Resolution

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

Additional Features

• WiFi security protocols: WEP, EAP, TLS, TTLS, and 802.11x

WiFi QoS: Contention-based access including AIFS, Access Categories, and Contention Windows; Controlled access via Polling and TXOPs; QoS management using ADDTS, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs.

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

• Frequency spectrum reuse
• Call setup and management
• Key infrastructure components: MSC, BSC, BTS, and terminals
• Handover processes and channel management

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
• Standardizing organizations

IPv4: Protocols and Addressing

• IP characteristics
• ARP – Address Resolution Protocol
• IP frame structure
• IP addressing and address 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 addressing and categories
• The Auto-configuration process
• Migrating 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 and acknowledgment numbers
• Calculating TCP maximum throughput (WS and RTT)
• Go-back-N and Selective Repeat methods
• Common TCP performance issues

Routing and Layer 3 Switching Basics

• Principles of the routing process
• Routing domains and areas
• Static vs. dynamic routing
• 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
• Techniques: Classification and marking, Policing and shaping, Queuing, and RED/WRED

Network Security Fundamentals and Components

• Basics of network security, threats, and vulnerabilities
• Secure 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 and Smart Card Encryption; Wireless encryption protocols
  • OTP - One-Time Passwords

Introduction to Data Network Design

• Network Engineering Introduction
  • Requirements analysis
  • Flow models
• Architecture (High-Level) Design
  • Component and Reference architectures
  • Architectural models
  • Systems and network architectures
  • Choices in 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