Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Foundations of Networking Infrastructure and the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model

• Overview of Data Network Architectures
• Differentiation between Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN)
• Analysis of Application Categories and Operational Requirements
• OSI Reference Model Functions and the Modular Composition of Data Network Systems

Local Area Network (LAN) Technology and Ethernet Protocol Standards

• Ethernet Protocols and Throughput Variants (10M/100M/1G/10Gbps)
• Ethernet Transmission Media (Twisted Pairs, Category 5/5e Cables, Fiber Optic Cables, and Connectors)
• Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) Algorithm
• Frame Structures (IEEE 802.3, Ethernet-2, Ethernet-SNAP)
• Identification of Common Technical Challenges

LAN Switching Mechanisms and Operational Frameworks

• Characteristics and Operational Principles of LAN Bridges
• Operational Dynamics of LAN Switches
• LAN Switching Technologies – Half-Duplex (HD)/Full-Duplex (FD) and Auto-Negotiation
• Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) and VLAN Tagging Mechanisms
• Spanning Tree Protocol Variants (STP/RSTP/MSTP)
• Link Aggregation Groups (LAG) and EtherChannel; LAN Structural Configurations and Topologies
• Data Center Switching Architectures

Wide Area Network (WAN) Protocols and Service Models

• Public Network Infrastructure – Access Transmission and Switching Frameworks
• Legacy Network Architectures and Protocols
  • End-to-End Services – Frame Relay (FR), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and Leased Lines
  • Transmission Services – Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) and Wavelength/Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM/DWDM)
  • Access Services – xDSL and Cable TV/DOCSIS Technologies
• Next-Generation Network Architectures
  • End-to-End Services – Carrier Ethernet and MPLS IP-Based Services
  • Transmission Networks – Carrier Ethernet Implementation
  • Access Networks – Advanced xDSL, DOCSIS, and Optical Transmission Technologies

Wireless Network Standards and Wi-Fi Technology

Network Architecture – Core Elements and Topological Structures

Physical Layer Specifications

• IEEE 802.11a/b/g Standards
• IEEE 802.11n – Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO)

Media Access Control (MAC) Layer – Contention Resolution Mechanisms

• CSMA/CA, Request to Send (RTS), Clear to Send (CTS), and Network Allocation Vector (NAV)
• IEEE 802.11 Frame Format and Addressing Schemes

Advanced Feature Sets

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

Wi-Fi Quality of Service (QoS) Management – Contention-Based Access (AIFS, Access Categories, Contention Windows), Controlled Access (Polling and TXOPs), and QoS Governance (ADDTSS, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs)

• Cellular Network Technologies

Foundational Concepts

• Frequency Spectrum Re-Use Strategies
• Call Establishment and Management Procedures
• Core Network Elements – Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Base Station Controller (BSC), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), and User Terminals
• Handover Processes and Channel Management

Standards Development and Evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000 Frameworks

Network Evolution Pathways – CDMA1 to EVDO/DV and GSM to HSPA and LTE

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Fundamentals

• TCP/IP Model Structure and Core Protocols
• Protocol Operational Mechanics
• Relevant Standards Developing Organizations

IPv4 – Protocol Specifications and Addressing Schemes

• Intrinsic IP Characteristics
• Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
• IP Packet Frame Structure
• IPv4 Addressing Classes and Hierarchy
• Private versus Public Address Allocation
• IP Address Space Subnetting – Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM) and Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR)
• IP Address Design Application (Exercise)
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
• Multicast Operations and Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)

IPv6 – Protocol Specifications and Addressing Schemes

• IPv6 Characteristics and Comparative Analysis with IPv4
• Packet Structure and Header Components
• IPv6 Addressing Schemes and Categories
• Stateless Address Auto-Configuration Process
• Strategies for Migration from IPv4 Infrastructure

Layer 4 Protocols – TCP and UDP Operations

• Introduction to Layer 4 Protocols and Well-Known Port Assignments
• UDP Packet Structure and Operational Logic
• TCP Packet Structure and Operational Logic
• TCP Connectivity Establishment and Reliability Mechanisms
• TCP Sliding Window, Slow-Start Algorithm, and Congestion Avoidance Techniques
• Sequence Number and Acknowledgment Number Management
• Calculation of Maximum TCP Throughput (Window Size and Round-Trip Time)
• Go-Back-N and Selective Repeat Error Recovery Methods
• Diagnosis of TCP Performance Issues

Routing and Layer 3 Switching Fundamentals

• Core Principles of the Routing Process
• Definition of Routing Domains and Areas
• Static versus Dynamic Routing Strategies
• Distance-Vector and Link-State Protocol Categories
• Evaluation of Routing Metrics
• RIP and OSPF Protocol Implementations
• Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) – External (eBGP) and Internal (iBGP)
• Layer 3 Switching Operations
• Static and Dynamic Network Address Translation (NAT)
• High Availability Protocols – HSRP and VRRP
• Implementation of Quality of Service (QoS) in IP Networks

Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters – Bandwidth, Delay, Jitter, and Packet Loss

• Application Requirements and Expected Network Behavior
• QoS Mechanisms – Classification, Marking, Policing, Shaping, Queuing, and RED/WRED

Network Security Foundations and Core Components

• Network Security Fundamentals, Threat Vectors, and Vulnerability Assessment
• Secure Network Architecture – Firewalls (FWs), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Network Access Controls (NACs), and Security Appliances
• Firewall Operations – Packet Filtering and Stateful Inspection
• Security Protocols – Encryption and Authentication Standards
• Encryption Methodologies and Definitions
  • Symmetric-Key Algorithms. Block and Stream Ciphers.
  • Public-Key Cryptography Frameworks.
  • Hashing Functions.
• Authentication Fundamentals
  • Multi-Factor Authentication Strategies
  • Tokens, Smart Card Encryption, and Wireless Encryption Protocols
  • One-Time Passwords (OTP)

Principles of Data Network Design and Engineering

• Foundations of Network Engineering
  • Requirements Analysis Methodologies
  • Data Flow Modeling
• High-Level Architectural Design
  • Component Architecture and Reference Models
  • Architectural Frameworks
  • Systems and Network Architectural Integration
  • Service and Vendor Architecture Selections
• Low-Level Topological Design
  • Enterprise Network Design Considerations
  • LAN/WAN Design Strategies
  • IP Network Design Protocols
  • Security and Privacy Design Integration
  • Network Management Design
• Network Operations Design