Switches and Routers: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction

You Will Learn How To

Build and design scalable networks
Compare the operational benefits of Ethernet and WLAN
Deploy switches using spanning tree and VLANs
Employ a variety of LAN interconnection techniques
Determine the optimum routing protocol for various internetworking environments
Integrate network management and security

Course Benefits

Switches and routers are the critical building blocks of a successful internetwork infrastructure. In this course, you gain the essential knowledge required to deploy and use switches and routers in IP networks. Through a combination of written and hands-on exercises, you acquire the skills to effectively select and deploy appropriate internetworking technologies.

Who Should Attend

Network managers, technicians, engineers and consultants involved in designing, implementing or managing networks. Knowledge of computer networking principles at the level of Course 450, "Networking Comprehensive Introduction", is assumed.

Hands-On Training

Hands-on exercises provide you with experience deploying routers and switches. Exercises include:

Setting up a new switch and router from initial factory configuration
Building and optimising a switched LAN
Network testing using ping and traceroute
Implementing an IP address design
Exposing switch and router security weaknesses
Deploying and optimising VLANs and spanning tree
Comparing RIPv1 and RIPv2 with a protocol analyser

Course Content

Introduction and Overview

Motivations for internetworking
Connecting the enterprise
Structuring large networks

Access LAN Technologies

LAN standards

Overview of IEEE 802 architecture

Ethernet

Media choices, mixing copper and fibre
802.3 CSMA/CD, half- and full-duplex operation
Frame format variations
Attaching, 10 and 100Mbit/s workgroups

Backbone technologies

Gigabit and 10Gigabit Ethernet
Backbone media choices: Cat, 6, MMF, SMF

Wireless LANs

802.11 wireless LAN standards
Comparing a, b, g and n
The wireless office
Access points, wireless bridges and routers
Antenna types
WLAN security issues

LAN Switching

Core concepts

Store-and-forward switching
Transparent learning
Interpreting the forwarding table
Incorporating resilience with spanning tree and Rapid Spanning Tree
Switch performance metrics and terminology

Advanced switching topics

VLAN concepts
IEEE 802.1Q tag-based VLANs
IEEE 802.1p priority scheme
Routing between LANs with multilayer switches

Deploying switches

Building and enhancing access LANs
Deploying backbone and core switches

Interconnecting LANs

WAN technology choices

Leased fixed and dial-up services
Connecting via the Internet with xDSL, cable and VPNs

Remote connectivity

Fundamental concepts
Resilience, redundancy and performance
The importance of routers

Routing: The Network Layer

Basic concepts

Router operation
Network layer functions
Address administration and subnetting

Local routing

Direct vs. indirect routing
Static and dynamic routing methods

Routing Protocols

Fundamentals

Routing protocol operation
Route dissemination
Distance Vector vs. Link State protocols

Enterprise routing

Interior gateway protocols
RIPv, RIPv2 and OSPF
Protocol security vulnerabilities

Beyond the enterprise

Exterior gateway protocols
Policy-based routing
Connecting autonomous systems with BGP

Advanced Internetworking

Migrating to IPv6

Motivation for IPv6
Encrypting data with IPsec
Addressing concepts
Neighbor discovery

Maintaining quality of service (QoS)

Fair queuing techniques
Priority by protocol and application type
Priority and congestion control

Secure remote developments

HTTPS
SSH
VPN
Managing networks with SNMP

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