Data comms training course description

A hands on training course introducing the concepts of data communications, moving on to covering both LAN and WAN technology. Quizzes are used extensively to ensure material has sunk in and to maximise learning time. Hands on sessions ensure that by the end of the course delegates have made cables, built LANS and WANS, configured TCP/IP, switches and routers.

What will you learn

• Use the seven layer model to classify networking buzzwords.
• Build and troubleshoot Ethernet, LAN/WAN and WiFi networks
• Explain the difference between switches and routers.
• Connect networks with routers.

Data comms training course details

Data comms training course contents

• What are networks?

What is data communications? What are networks? Types of network, LANs, LAN choices, WANs, WAN choices, PANs, SANs, MANs, connecting networks. Internetworks, the internet, clouds.

• Networks and standards

Standards bodies, ISO, ITU, IEEE, IETF, OSI 7 layer reference model, TCP/IP and OSI, ping and the 7 layer model, encapsulation, fragmentation.

• The physical layer

Transmission media: Copper, Fibre, RF, UTP, Cat 5/5e/6/7..., RJ45, straight and cross over cables. Coax, Fibre cable & connectors, SFP, MMF, SMF, radio spectrum, frequencies, ranges, noise and electrical distortion, repeaters.
Hands on Cabling, ping.

• Bandwidth

Definition, Bits, bytes, speeds, simplex, half/full duplex, a/symmetrical, aggregation, latency. Calculating bandwidth requirements.

• The Data Link layer

Frames, classifications, standards, LAN/WAN layer 2 technologies (Point to point, virtual circuits).

• Ethernet

What is Ethernet? 802.3, evolution from CSMA/CD, choosing cables, topologies, NICs, MAC addresses. Ethernet frame format.
Hands on Analysing Ethernet frames.

• Ethernet switches

Connecting multiple devices, switches work at layer 2, Switches vs. hubs, simultaneous conversations, full duplex, MAC address database, how switches work, switch benefits, loops, STP. Console ports.
Hands on Switches and WireShark, configuring switches, broadcast storms, STP.

• VLANS

What are VLANs, why have VLANs.
Hands on The effect of VLANs on network traffic.

• Wireless LANs

Type of wireless network. WiFi, 802.11b/g/n/ac, WiFi6, antennae, interference, 802.11 frame format, CSMA/CA, half duplex, Wireless Access Points, security.
Hands on Building a WiFi network.

• WANS

WAN architecture, WAN types, service providers, access equipment, DTE, DCE, core equipment, WANs and the 7 layer model, choosing a WAN.

• WAN access

Point to point, multi access, Internet, phone lines, leased lines, xDSL, broadband architecture. DOCSIS, FTTH, PON, SD-WAN. Older technologies (if required): Modems, ISDN, 64k, E1, TDM.

• Packet switched networks

Packet switching, virtual circuits, Hub & spoke, partial & full mesh, MPLS, MPLS and routers, Why MPLS? MPLS -TE, MPLS VPN, Internet VPN. Older technologies (if required).

• Service provider technologies

Transport plane, SDH, SONET, WDM, CWDM, DWDM, DWDM architectures, OTN.

• TCP/IP

Definition, protocols, services, internetworking, the Internet, intranets, IAB, RFCs, IP header, IP addressing, subnet masks, IPv6, TCP, UDP.
Hands on IP address and subnet mask configuration.

• Routers

What are routers? Routers vs switches, when to route and when to switch, default gateways, routing tables, static routes, routing protocols. Firewalls, how firewalls work.
Hands on Router configuration, tracert.

• Applications

Clients, servers, web, HTTP, Email, resource sharing, IM, VoIP, Video over IP, terminal emulation, ftp, ssh.
Hands on telnet

Learning path

Reviews