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 categories and their requirements
• OSI Reference Model functions and the modular structure of data networks

Introduction to LAN Technology and Ethernet Protocols

• Ethernet protocols and 10M/100M/1G/10Gbps Ethernet standards
• Ethernet media types (twisted pair, cable categories 5/5e, fibre optic cables and connectors)
• CSMA/CD algorithm
• Frame structure (802.3, Ethernet-II, Ethernet-SNAP)
• Common operational issues

LAN Switching – Functionality and Operation

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• LAN switch operations
• LAN switching technology – Half Duplex/Full Duplex and auto-negotiation
• VLANs (Virtual LANs) and VLAN tagging
• Spanning Tree Protocols - STP/RSTP/MSTP
• Link Aggregation Groups (LAG) and EtherChannel. LAN structures and topologies
• Data Centre switching

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network structures – 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, and Cable TV/DOCSIS
• 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 Networks and Wi-Fi

Network architecture – key elements and topologies

The physical layer

• 802.11a/b/g standards
• 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 QoS - Contention-based access (AIFS, Access Categories, Contention Windows). Controlled access (Polling and TXOPs). Managing Quality of Service (ADDTS, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs).

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

• Frequency spectrum re-use
• Call setup and management
• Key servers - MSC, BSC, BTS, and terminals
• Handovers and Channels

Standards and evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000

Network evolution – CDMA1 to EVDO/DO, and GSM to HSPA and LTE

Introduction to TCP/IP

• The TCP/IP model and common protocols
• Protocol operations
• Standardisation bodies

IPv4 – Protocol and Addressing

• IP characteristics
• ARP – Address Resolution Protocol
• IP frame structure
• IP addressing and address classes
• Private and public addresses
• Subnetting an IP address space – 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 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 acknowledgment numbers
• TCP maximum throughput (WS and RTT) calculation
• Go-back-N and Selective-Repeat mechanisms
• TCP performance considerations

Routing and L3 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
• L3 Switching
• Static and Dynamic NAT
• HSRP and VRRP
• QoS in IP Networks

QoS Parameters – Bandwidth, Delay, Jitter, and Packet Loss

• Application requirements and network behaviour
• Classification and marking, Policing and Shaping, Queuing, and RED/WRED

Network Security Basics and Components

• Fundamentals of network security, threats, and vulnerabilities.
• Secure network architecture – Firewalls, 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 and Smart Card Encryption. Wireless encryption protocols.
  • OTP - One-Time Passwords

Introduction to Data Network 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