Hands-on LAN Design

Objectives Prerequisites Who should attend Course Outline Hands-on Sessions

NA-1.0

What you will learn...

The primary objective of this course is to provide you with first-hand design knowledge of how the various local area network technologies operate, their benefits and their limitations. When you have completed this course, you will have a clear foundation of LAN technologies and how they are deployed. You will learn about the latest developments in Ethernet and Token Ring and network operating system software.

Prerequisites

A basic knowledge of Local Area Network (LAN) operational terms will be advantageous. Basic PC operating skills, i.e. DOS, Windows, will be assumed.

Who should attend

The nature of this course will provide you with the background needed to design and implement a LAN. It will be of interest if your role is: LAN Administrator, LAN Analyst, Network Engineer, MIS Manager, Systems Analyst, Network Controller, Technical Support Manager, Project Manager or Help Desk Officer.

Course Outline

Introduction

  • Local Area Networks (LANs) – an historical perspective
  • Terms and definitions
  • Information flow through the LAN and the various components: hubs, cabling, server and workstations
  • LAN topologies and transmission media
  • Data Link layer functions
    • Media Access Control (MAC)
    • Logical Link Control (LLC)
  • Protocol stacks
    • TCP/IP, Novell, IBM, Banyan VINES, Microsoft
  • Key LAN standards
    • LAN standards process
    • IEEE and ISO 802.2, 802.3, 802.5
    • defacto standards

Ethernet LANs

  • Ethernet hardware components – how they work and what they do
  • 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mbps Fast Ethernet operation
  • Implementation considerations
  • Migration strategy – 10Mbps to 100Mbps
  • Ethernet design rules – what they mean and their importance
  • Ethernet frame format
  • Addressing issues
  • Troubleshooting – how to detect and resolve problems
  • Vendor and product selection strategies

Token Ring LANs

  • Token Ring hardware components – how they work and what they do
  • Token Ring operation
    • 4Mbps and 16Mbps
  • Implementation considerations
  • Token Ring design rules
  • Token Ring frame format
    • data frame format
    • MAC frame format
  • Special MAC commands and their effect on the operation of the ring
  • Addressing and priority issues
  • Troubleshooting
  • Typical cabling problems
  • Vendor and product strategies

Evaluating LANs

  • Operational issues of LANs
  • Protocol and application considerations
  • Peer-to-peer architecture
  • Design considerations
  • Component performance and characteristics
  • Client-server models

Network operating systems

  • Services available, i.e. file, print, network database
  • Support for remote users
  • Support for different clients: DOS, UNIX, OS/2, Apple, Windows
  • Internetworking options
  • Performance characteristics
  • Software vendor comparison - Novell, LAN Manager, Banyan VINES, Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT

Impact of emerging technologies

  • LAN technology directions
  • ATM connectivity
  • Switching, bridging and routing options

Planning and design issues

  • Where and how to start – developing a strategy
  • Needs analysis – business issues, services required, performance
  • Costing and budgeting techniques
  • Site survey
  • Identifying resources and components
  • Data modelling techniques

LAN administration and maintenance

  • Identifying key management areas
  • Planning a support infrastructure
  • Daily, weekly, monthly normal administration and management tasks

LAN troubleshooting

  • Developing a strategy
  • Knowing what is normal and abnormal
  • Maintenance considerations
  • Improving network reliability and resilience

Hands-on Sessions

Building and installing an Ethernet LAN

You will build an Ethernet LAN from the ground up using various cabling options. You will gain hands-on experience in installing all the Ethernet components including multiport repeaters, intelligent hubs and NICs, and in testing the cabling plant. Both 10Mbps and 100Mbps networks will be built.

Ethernet troubleshooting

You will be challenged to resolve a number of LAN problems. You will use protocol analysers and cable test equipment to identify and resolve the problems.

Ethernet design

Your task will be to design an Ethernet LAN given a list of criteria. This will require you to take into consideration costs, project planning, maintenance and administration of an Ethernet network.

Building and installing a Token Ring LAN

During this session you will build a Token Ring LAN. You will gain hands-on experience in installing all the Token Ring components including MSAUs, repeaters, intelligent hubs and NICs, and in testing the cabling plant.

Token Ring troubleshooting

Be challenged to resolve a number of problems that will be placed on the LAN. Use protocol analysers and cable test equipment to identify and resolve the problems.

Token Ring design

Design a Token Ring LAN. This will require you to take into consideration costs, project planning, maintenance and administration of a Token Ring network.

LAN administration

You will be given a number of LAN administration tasks to perform on the network operating systems, such as setting up printers, creating users, and setting up applications and menus, to acquire an understanding of the issues involved.