The goal of this course is to introduce you to fundamental networking concepts and technologies. This course will assist you in developing the skills necessary to plan and implement small networks across a range of applications. Students will learn both the practical and conceptual skills that build the foundation for understanding basic networking. The learner will do the following:Examine human versus network communication and see the parallels between them. Be introduced to the two major models used to plan and implement networks: OSI and TCP/IP. Gain an understanding of the "layered" approach to networks. Examine the OSI and TCP/IP layers in detail to understand their functions and services. Become familiar with the various network devices and network addressing schemes. Discover the types of media used to carry data across the network. By the end of this course, you will be able to build simple LANs, perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement IP addressing schemes.
Communicating over the Network
Describe the role of each layer in two recognised network models: The TCP/IP model and the OSI model. Explain the advantages of using a layered model to describe network functionality. Explain the function of protocols in network communications. Describe the structure of a network, including the devices and media necessary for successful communications.
Application Layer Functionality and Protocols
Define the application layer as the source and destination of data for communication across networks. Explain the role of protocols in supporting communication between server and client processes. Describe the features, operation and use of well-known TCP/IP application layer services (HTTP, DNS, SMTP etc)
OSI Transport Layer
Explain the role of Transport Layer protocols and services in supporting communications across networks. Analyse the application and operation of TCP mechanisms that support reliability. Analyse the appplication and operation of TCP mechanisms that support reassembly and manage data loss. Analyse the operation of UDP to support communication between two processes on end devices.
OSI Network Layer
Identify the role of the Network Layer, as it describes communication from one end device to another. Examine the most common Network Layer protocol, IP, and its features for providing connectionless and best-effort service. Understand the hierarchical addressing of devices and how this allows communication between networks. Understand the fundamentals of routes, next hop addresses and packet forwarding to a destination network.
Addressing the Network - IPv4
Binary and Decimal conversion. IPv4 address classification, Address assignment. Calculate addressing components. Use common testing utilities to verify and test network connectivity.
OSI Data Link Layer
Data Link layer protocols, data link transmission. Media access control, logical and physical topologies. Encapsulation packets into frames. The layer 2 frame structure.
OSI Physical Layer
Physical layer protocols and concepts. Physical layer signalling and encoding. Identify common media - copper, wireless and fibre
Ethernet
CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA - media access protocols. Fucntions of Ethernet. Layer 2 addressing - MAC. ARP protocol and switching basics.
Planning and Cabling Networks
Routed protocols, Media Requirements for LANs. Device management (routers and switches), cabling types and standards. Network design and planning. Adressing scheme and topology design.
Configuring and Testing your Network
Cisco IOS configuration via the Cisco device CLI (command line interface). Common testing utilities for communication verification.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |