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 types and specific requirements
• OSI Reference Model functions and the modular structure of data networks

Introduction to LAN Technology and Ethernet Protocols

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

LAN Switching – Functionality and Operation

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• Operational mechanics of LAN switches
• LAN switching technologies, including Half-Duplex/Full-Duplex (HD/FD) and auto-negotiation
• Virtual LANs (VLANs) and VLAN tagging
• Spanning Tree protocols: STP, RSTP, and MSTP
• Link Aggregation Group (LAG) and EtherChannel, along with LAN structure and topologies
• Data Center switching concepts

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network architecture, covering 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/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, including key elements and topologies

The Physical Layer

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

The MAC Layer – Contention Resolution

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

Additional Features

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

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

• Cellular Networks

Introduction

• Frequency spectrum reuse
• Call setup and management
• Key network entities: MSC, BSC, BTS, and terminals
• Handovers and Channel management

Standards and Evolution

3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000 standards

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 and mechanisms
• Key standardization organizations

IPv4 – Protocol and Addressing

• IP characteristics and features
• ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
• IP frame structure
• IP addressing schemes and classes
• Differentiating Private and Public addresses
• Subnetting IP address space using 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 addressing and address categories
• The Auto-configuration process
• Migration strategies from IPv4

L4 Protocols – TCP and UDP

• Overview of 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 Acknowledge numbers
• Calculating TCP maximum throughput (WS and RTT)
• Go-back-N and Selective-Repeat techniques
• TCP performance issues and optimization

Routing and L3 Switching Basics

• Principles of the routing process
• Routing domains and areas
• Static versus dynamic routing
• Distance-vector and Link-state protocols
• Routing metrics and calculation
• RIP and OSPF protocols
• BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) – eBGP and iBGP
• Layer 3 Switching
• Static and Dynamic NAT
• HSRP and VRRP protocols
• QoS implementation in IP Networks

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

• Application requirements versus network behavior
• Classification, marking, policing, shaping, queuing, and RED/WRED

Network Security Basics and Components

• Fundamentals of network security, including threats and vulnerabilities
• Secure network architecture: Firewalls (FWs), VPNs, NACs, and security devices
• Firewall operation: packet filtering and stateful inspection
• Security protocols focused on Encryption and Authentication
• Encryption types and definitions
  • Symmetric-key algorithms, including 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 Networks Design

• Introduction to Network Engineering
  • Requirements analysis
  • Flow models
• High-Level Architecture Design
  • Component architecture and Reference architecture
  • Architectural models
  • Systems and network architectures
  • Choosing 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