Hands-on Networking for Rookies

Objectives Prerequisites Who should attend Course Outline Hands-on Sessions

What you will learn...

This course not only provides you with an A-Z of network technology but a manual that you will refer to years later. You will learn how the communications components all come together in this highly practical course. The instructor will bring to life data communications and make it easier to understand. On completing this course you will have an excellent practical foundation in networking and be confident in tackling the day-to-day problems you encounter.

Prerequisites

This course is intended for the “rookie” who needs a solid foundation in networking and data communications technologies. No prior network knowledge is assumed.

Who should attend

You are most likely involved with networking in either a support, administration, design, management or practical manner. You have heard of some networking terms but don't really fully understand their meaning. You are computer literate and probably in one of the following roles: Operations Manager, Programmer Analyst, Network Analyst, Network Manager, LAN Administrator, Engineer, Data Communications Professional or Technical Officer.

Course Outline

Computer and network evolution

• Historical perspective – mainframe to enterprise networks
• Application and business demands
• International standards
• industry organisations – EIA, IEEE, ITU
• International Standards Organisation (ISO)
• OSI Reference Model
• layered approach to communications
• applying the functional layers to data communications networks

Fundamental data communications concepts

• Elements of a data communications system
• Transmission techniques
• synchronous and asynchronous
• simplex, half-duplex and full-duplex transmission
• Transmission media
• metallic and fibre options
• electrical characteristics
• Communications channels and bandwidth

Analogue transmission techniques

• Modem architecture
• Modem signalling standards
• Modem modulation techniques
• AM, PSK, QAM
• advanced encoding technologies
• Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Communications Equipment (DCE) timing
• Echo cancellation
• Interface standards
• RS-232/V.24 and RS-449/V.11
• RS-422, RS-423 and X.21
• high speed V.35 etc.

Digital transmission techniques

• Analogue and digital signal differences
• Digital evolution
• Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
• Digital hierarchy - low speed to high speed multiplexing
• PDH and SDH
• Framing and interface operation
• Deploying digital services

Working with multiplexers

• Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
• Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)
• Statistical Time Division Multiplexing (STDM)

WAN technologies

• Overview of WAN data communications options
• cell relay and switching trends
• physical layer hierarchies
• ISDN
• basic and primary rates
• channel allocation and signalling
• Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
• X.25 operation and protocols
• Frame relay operation and protocols
• ADSL operation and protocols
• Broadband options
• Key WAN protocols
• Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC)
• High-level Data Link Control (HDLC)
• Binary Synchronous Control (BSC)

LAN technologies

• Topology architecture
• Key operational characteristics
• Ethernet (CSMA/CD) operation
• key components
• operation
• Token Ring operation
• key components
• operation
• FDDI operation
• Internetworking – repeater, bridge, switch, router and gateway components
• Key LAN protocols
• Novell
• TCP/IP
• Microsoft

Network management

• Error detection and correction
• Component management
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
• Test equipment
• interface test equipment
• protocol analysers
• network probes

Carrier facilities

• Telstra services
• Optus services
• International service providers
• Tariff structures

Internet

• International networks
• Internet connectivity
• Internet tools and applications
• Multimedia networking

Hands-on Sessions

DTE-DCE link

In this first session you will build a point-to-point asynchronous data network. Using Break-Out-Boxes you will connect DTE and DCE together and utilise it to verify the communications process. You will then test and verify the data in a point-to-point circuit.

Modems and handshaking

This session requires you to observe the data communications links employing modems. You will observe the data activity at both ends of the data line and handshaking between DTE and DCE and its impact on isolating various RS-232C signals.

LAN technology

This session has you constructing separate 10/100 Ethernet and Token Ring LANs. Install the necessary network components and configure the PC’s to access various network servers.

Protocol analysis

During this session you will use protocol analysis and test equipment to investigate both the LAN and WAN protocols.

X.25 networks

In this session an X.25 network will be constructed. You will test the interfaces and observe the operation of the hardware and software protocol exchanges.

Building internetworks

Expand the local area networks by installing repeaters, bridges, switches and routers. Undertake device configuration.