Ethernet networks

What you will learn:

You’ll learn about the capabilities of Ethernet switches and how those characteristics govern LAN performance, the various aspects of MAC and IP addressing and their interaction, how to prevent network loops, and how Wi-Fi networks operate and integrate with wired infrastructure. You will also learn how to protect the security of wired and wireless networks.

 

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• describe the advantages, features and operation of a switch in an Ethernet-based local area network.
• describe the role and operation of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and the advantages of Rapid STP.
• explain how the protocols SPB and TRILL provide several benefits over STP for larger networks.
• explain the basic principles and role of routing in an IP-based network.
• compare the role and capabilities of switches and routers in interconnecting networks.
• describe how devices and data transfer sessions in a local area network (LAN) are identified.
• describe the role and operation of the address resolution protocol (ARP) and network address translation (NAT).
• describe the role and features of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
• describe the role of a router and a modem between a LAN and a broadband connection with reference to address allocation, address translation and protocol conversion.
• describe and compare the role of a firewall, a proxy server and a DMZ in preventing unauthorised access to a local area network.
• describe the role of the components of a wireless local area network including access points, distribution network and wireless controller.
• compare the characteristics of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi radio frequency bands.
• explain how collisions between transmissions in a WLAN are avoided.
• describe the techniques used to ensure the security of WiFi communications.
• compare the topology and advantages of centralised and distributed control WiFi systems.

 

Course prerequisites:

An understanding of the basic principles of operation of Ethernet local area networks. It is recommended that the PTT course "Ethernet fundamentals" is studied before attempting this course.

 

Approximate study time: 5 hours 

 

Delivery platform requirements:
To access the course, a computer/tablet running a browser such as Chrome, Safari, Edge etc. is required. The device should have an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024x768.