Crs 804
Introduction to Network Implementation and Design with Switches and Routers

This course is aimed both at designers and implementors of brand new networks, as well as those responsible for upgrading their existing networks to cope with the new demands placed on them by the e-mail, intranet and internet era.

As well as discussing principles and theory the course looks at the available hardware and software, not only from companies such as Cisco, but also Nortel, Alcatel, HP and others. 

The course also covers strategies for sizing and migrating older networks to newer networks and strategies for adding greater fault tolerance to existing networks. The emphasis is more on LANs than WANs, with WANs being covered as a means of connecting LANs over larger distances. 

Course Outline

  • Overview of LANs
    • function and purpose
    • non-untypical existing LANs
    • typical LAN usage patterns
  • Overview of the ISO-OSI seven layer model
  • Physical and link layer issues
    • MAC addresses
    • physical and logical topologies
    • token ring (token passing) and ethernet (CSMA/CD)
    • collision domains, broadcast domains, hubs and bridges/switches
    • the rise and rise of ethernet technology (10/100/1000/10000 Mbits per sec)
    • the spanning tree algorithm - why it is necessary, how it works
  • Features of modern switches and switched networks
    • cut through switching
    • VLANs
    • collision free and full duplex mode
    • flow control and 802.3x
    • link aggregation and 802.3d
    • fast spanning tree recovery
    • RMON probes for switch monitoring and management
    • configuring and designing large scale layer 2 lans
      • 802.1Q
      • Auto negotiation
  • Network layer - layer 3 (IP layer)
    •  IPv4 - addressing and subnet masks
    • ARP, ICMP, PING
    • Routing protocols - distance vector, link state
    • Layer 3 switching
    • Voice Over IP
    • Quality of Service (QoS)
  • Storage Area Networks (SAN)
  • Network Attached Storage (NAS)
  • Storage over IP 
    • SCSI over IP
    • Fibre channel over IP
    • iSCSI
  • Network Design, Configuration and Management
    • Analysis and modeling of traffic loads
    • Installation - planning, quality control and project management
    • Network management and administration
      • SNMP, RMON and RMON2
      • Automating network management via scripting languages such as Tcl and Perl
    • Security issues - Firewalls, Proxy Servers, NAT

 

  

Intended Audience

The course assumes some familiarity with local area networks, though not necessarily at a very technical level - such as might be gained from an introductory course on networking and several months working with networks. 

The course is suited for network designers and analysts as well as network and systems administrators. 

 

Key Skills

  • Understanding they key differences between hubs, brideges,switches and routers
  • Being able to describe the header processing that takes place in switches and routers
  • Knowing how the spanning tree algorithm works in connection with bridges and switches - especially in connection with designing fault tolerant switched networks.
  • Understanding the use of routers to build large networks spanning multiple sites.