Data Communications Networks - Theory and Practice Training Course

Foundations of Networking and the OSI Reference Model

• Overview of data networks
• Distinctions between LAN and WAN environments
• Application categories and their specific requirements
• Functions of the OSI-RM and the modular design of data networks

LAN Technologies and Ethernet Protocols

• Ethernet protocols and speeds (10M/100M/1G/10Gbps)
• Media types for Ethernet (Twisted Pairs, cable categories - 5/5e, fiber optic cables and connectors)
• The CSMA/CD algorithm
• Frame structures (802.3, Ethernet-2, Ethernet-SNAP)
• Common operational challenges

LAN Switching: Functions and Operations

• Characteristics and operation of LAN bridges
• Mechanisms of LAN switch operation
• Switching technologies – Half-Duplex/Full-Duplex (HD/FD) and auto-negotiation
• Virtual LANs (VLANs) and VLAN tagging
• Spanning Tree protocols - STP/RSTP/MSTP
• Link Aggregation (LAG) and Etherchannel; LAN structure and topologies
• Switching in Data Centers

WAN Protocols and Services

• Public network architecture – 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, 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 – core elements and topologies

The Physical Layer

• 801.11a/b/g standards
• 801.11n - OFDM and MIMO

MAC Layer - Contentions Resolution

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

Advanced Features

• WiFi security – WEP, EAP, TLS, TTLS, and 802.11x

WiFi QoS: Contention-Based Access (AIFS, Access Categories, Contention Windows) and Controlled Access (Polling, TXOPs). Managing Quality of Service via 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 frameworks

Network evolution – from cdma1 to EVDO/DV and from GSM to HSPA and LTE

Introduction to TCP/IP

• The TCP/IP model and core protocols
• Protocol operations and behaviors
• Key standardization organizations

IPv4: Protocols and Addressing

• Inherent characteristics of IP
• ARP – Address Resolution Protocol
• Structure of IP frames
• IP addressing schemes and address classes
• Differentiating private and public addresses
• Subnetting IP address spaces – VLSM and CIDR
• Designing IP address schemes (Practical Exercise)
• DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• Multicast and IGMP

IPv6: Protocols and Addressing

• IPv6 characteristics and comparative analysis with IPv4
• Overview of packet structure 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 functional behavior
• TCP packet structure and functional behavior
• Ensuring TCP connectivity and reliability
• TCP sliding window, slow-start, and congestion avoidance mechanisms
• Sequence numbers and acknowledgments
• Calculating TCP maximum throughput (Window Size and Round-Trip Time)
• Go-back-N and Selective-Repeat techniques
• Addressing TCP performance issues

Routing and Layer 3 Switching Fundamentals

• Principles of the routing process
• Defining routing domains and areas
• Comparison of static and dynamic routing
• Distance-vector and Link-state protocol types
• Evaluating routing metrics
• Protocols such as RIP and OSPF
• BGP – eBGP and iBGP implementations
• Mechanisms of Layer 3 Switching
• Implementation of Static and Dynamic NAT
• Redundancy protocols: HSRP and VRRP
• QoS considerations in IP Networks

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

• Aligning application requirements with network behavior
• Techniques for Classification and Marking, Policing and Shaping, Queuing, and RED/WRED

Basics and Components of Network Security

• Foundational concepts, common threats, and system vulnerabilities
• Secured network architecture – Firewalls (FWs), VPNs, NACs, and dedicated security devices
• Firewall operations – packet filtering and stateful inspection
• Security protocols – Encryption and Authentication methods
• Encryption types and definitions
  • Symmetric-key algorithms, including Block and Stream Ciphers
  • Public-key cryptography
  • Hash Functions
• Authentication fundamentals
  • Multi-factor authentication strategies
  • Tokens, Smart Card Encryption, and Wireless encryption protocols
  • OTP - One Time Passwords

Introduction to Data Network Design

• Introduction to Network Engineering
  • Conducting requirements analysis
  • Developing flow models
• High-Level Architectural Design
  • Component architecture and Reference architectures
  • Application of architectural models
  • Designing Systems and network architectures
  • Strategic choices for services and vendors
• Low-Level Topological Design
  • Designing Enterprise networks
  • Architecting LAN/WAN structures
  • Planning IP networks
  • Designing for security and privacy
  • Structuring network management
• Designing for network operations