Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Overview of Networking and the OSI Reference Model

• Foundations of data networks
• Differences and interactions between LANs and WANs
• Application classifications and specific requirements
• OSI Reference Model functions and the modular design of data networks

Foundations of LAN Technology and Ethernet Protocols

• Ethernet protocols and standards ranging from 10M to 10Gbps
• Ethernet media types, including twisted pairs, cable categories (Cat 5/5e), and fiber optic cabling and connectors
• The CSMA/CD algorithm
• Frame structures (802.3, Ethernet-2, Ethernet-SNAP)
• Identifying and addressing common operational issues

LAN Switching: Functionality and Operational Mechanics

• Characteristics and operations of LAN bridges
• Operational principles of LAN switches
• LAN switch technologies, including half-duplex/full-duplex modes and auto-negotiation
• Virtual LANs (VLANs) and the tagging mechanism
• Spanning Tree protocols (STP/RSTP/MSTP)
• Link Aggregation (LAG) and Etherchannel, along with LAN structure and topologies
• Switching practices in data center environments

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network architecture, focusing on access transmission and switching.
• Traditional network architectures and protocols
  • End-to-end services, such as Frame Relay (FR), ATM, and leased lines
  • Transmission services, including SDH and WDM/DWDM
  • Access services, such as xDSL, Cable TV/DOCSIS
• Next-generation networks
  • End-to-end services, including Carrier Ethernet and MPLS/IP-based services
  • Transmission networks based on Carrier Ethernet
  • Access networks utilizing advanced xDSL, DOCSIS, and optical technologies

Wireless Networks and Wi-Fi

Network architecture, components, and topological designs

The physical layer

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

The MAC layer and contention resolution mechanisms

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

Additional functional features

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

Wi-Fi Quality of Service (QoS) - Contentions based access (AIFS, Access Categories, Contention Windows) and controlled access (Polling, TXOPs). Mechanisms for QoS control, including ADDTS, Traffic Streams, and TSPECs.

• Cellular Network Overview

Introduction to cellular systems

• Spectrum frequency reuse strategies
• Call setup and management procedures
• Core network elements: MSC, BSC, BTS, and user terminals
• Handover processes and channel management

Standards and technological evolution

Key organizations: 3GPP, 3GPP2, and IMT-2000

Evolutionary paths in network technology – from cdma1 to EVDO/DV and from GSM to HSPA and LTE

Introduction to TCP/IP

• The TCP/IP model and associated core protocols
• Operational mechanics of protocols
• Key standardization organizations

IPv4: Protocols and Addressing Schemes

• Characteristics of IP
• ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
• Structure of IP frames
• IP addressing classes
• Differentiation between private and public addresses
• Subnetting IP address spaces using VLSM and CIDR
• Designing IP addresses (Practical Exercise)
• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
• Multicast operations and IGMP

IPv6: Protocols and Addressing Schemes

• IPv6 characteristics and comparative analysis with IPv4
• Overview of packet structures and headers
• IPv6 addressing and address categories
• The auto-configuration process
• Strategies for migrating from IPv4

Layer 4 Protocols: TCP and UDP

• Overview of Layer 4 protocols and well-known ports
• UDP packet structure and operational flow
• TCP packet structure and operational flow
• TCP connectivity and reliability mechanisms
• TCP sliding window, slow-start, and congestion avoidance
• Sequence numbers and acknowledgment processes
• Calculating TCP maximum throughput (Window Size and RTT)
• Go-back-N and Selective Repeat mechanisms
• Addressing common TCP performance challenges

Basics of Routing and Layer 3 Switching

• Principles of the routing process
• Defining routing domains and areas
• Static versus dynamic routing
• Distance-vector and Link-state protocol types
• Routing metrics
• RIP and OSPF protocols
• BGP, including eBGP and iBGP
• Layer 3 switching concepts
• Static and Dynamic NAT
• HSRP and VRRP protocols
• QoS implementation in IP networks

QoS Metrics: Bandwidth, Delay, Jitter, and Packet Loss

• Application requirements and network behavioral analysis
• Techniques for classification, marking, policing, shaping, and queuing, including RED/WRED

Network Security Fundamentals and Components

• Basic network security concepts, threats, and vulnerabilities
• Secure network architectures, including Firewalls (FWs), VPNs, NACs, and specialized security devices
• Firewall operations, focusing on packet filtering and stateful inspection
• Security protocols for encryption and authentication
• Types and definitions of encryption
  • Symmetric-key algorithms, block ciphers, 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 Architectural Design
  • Component architecture and reference models
  • Architectural frameworks
  • Systems and network architectures
  • Selecting service and vendor architectures
• Low-Level Topological Design
  • Designing enterprise networks
  • LAN/WAN design principles
  • IP network design
  • Security and privacy considerations in design
  • Network management design
• Network operations design