Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Introduction to Networking and the OSI Reference Model

• Overview of data networks
• Distinctions between LANs and WANs
• Application types and associated requirements
• OSI-RM functions and the modular architecture of data networks

Foundations of LAN Technology and Ethernet Protocols

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

LAN Switching: Functionality and Operation

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• LAN switch operation principles
• LAN switching technologies, including Half-Duplex/Full-Duplex (HD/FD) and auto-negotiation
• VLANs (Virtual LANs) and VLAN tagging mechanisms
• Spanning Tree protocols (STP/RSTP/MSTP)
• Link Aggregation Groups (LAG) and Etherchannel; LAN structures and topologies
• Data Center switching solutions

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network structures, focusing on 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 CaTV/DOCSIS
• Next-generation networks
  • End-to-end services: Carrier Ethernet and MPLS IP-based services
  • Transmission networks: Carrier Ethernet implementations
  • Access networks: Advanced xDSL, DOCSIS, and optical technologies

Wireless Networks and Wi-Fi

Network architecture, including key elements and topologies

The Physical Layer

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

MAC Layer - Contention Resolution

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

Additional Features

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

Wi-Fi Quality of Service (QoS): Contention-based access (AIFS, Access Categories, Contention Windows), controlled access (Polling and TXOPs), and QoS management (ADDTS, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs).

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

• Frequency spectrum re-use
• Call setup and management processes
• Key network entities: MSC, BSC, BTS, and terminals
• Handovers and channel management

Standards and Evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000 standards

Network evolution paths: cdma1 to EVDO/DV and GSM to HSPA and LTE

Introduction to TCP/IP

• The TCP/IP model and common protocols
• Protocol operation details
• Relevant standardization bodies

IPv4: Protocols and Addressing

• Characteristics of IP
• ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
• IP frame structure
• IP addressing and address classes
• Private versus public addresses
• Subnetting IP address spaces using VLSM and CIDR
• IP address design (Practical exercise)
• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
• Multicast communication and IGMP

IPv6: Protocols and Addressing

• IPv6 characteristics and comparison with IPv4
• Packet structure and header overview
• IPv6 address types 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 (Window Size and Round-Trip Time)
• Go-back-N and Selective-Repeat protocols
• TCP performance considerations

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 protocols
• BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) – 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, and RED/WRED

Network Security Basics and Components

• Fundamentals of network security, threats, and vulnerabilities
• Secure network architectures: Firewalls, VPNs, NACs, and security devices
• Firewall operation: Packet filtering and stateful inspection
• Security protocols: Encryption and authentication
• Types and definitions of encryption
  • Symmetric-key algorithms, including block and stream ciphers
  • Public-key cryptography
  • Hash functions
• Authentication fundamentals
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Tokens, smart card encryption, and wireless encryption protocols
  • One-Time Passwords (OTP)

Introduction to Data Network Design

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