Network+ Certification (N+)

Course Overview

The CompTIA Network+ certification has become an international standard for network engineering. This course allows network support engineers to develop their skills and prepare for the Network+ examination.

This course covers the knowledge and skills necessary to configure and install the TCP/IP client as well as a wide range of vendor and product neutral networking technologies. The aim of the certification is to allow computer network technicians to show they have the knowledge and skills required to perform a wide range of IT related tasks in the area of network support.

Audience

LAN support or administration personnel wishing to implement and manage their network more effectively.

Skills Gained

Delegates will learn how to:

• identify the functions of the OSI 7-Layer Model, associating networking functions and protocols within these layers
• describe the components of a network, identifying strengths and weaknesses of network types and configure network protocols
• outline the addressing and internetworking of the TCP/IP protocol suite, describe and configure basic IP functions and services
• troubleshoot IP, using in-built utilities
• describe the functions of Remote Access and configure dial-up connectivity, list and implement the main security features that will be required in a business network
• install a local area network, using TCP/IP, servers and clients
• formulate and test a troubleshooting methodology for a local area network, for both hardware, software and user faults

Examinations

This course also prepares delegates for the CompTIA Network+ examination.

Prerequisites

Delegates must have a working knowledge of PCs and network clients, e. g. Windows 9x or NT Workstation. It is also required that all delegates have an appreciation of PC hardware configuration, including IRQs, etc., and a fundamental understanding of the function of a LAN. These requirements may be satisfied by attending an A+/PC Support or Networking with TCP/IP course.

Course Outline

Module 1: Networking Fundamentals

• Why do we need Networks?
• Mainframes
• The PC Revolution
• Other Networks
• Wireless Networking
• Extranets
• Network Technologies
• Broadcast Topologies
• Wireless LAN Topologies
• Co-operative Networking
• Peer-to-Peer Networking
• Client/Server Networking
• Master/Slave Networking
• Features and Benefits of Networks

Module 2: Physical Links and Interfaces

• Physical Components of a Network
• Network Interface Cards
• Wireless LAN Adapters
• LAN Cabling and Links
• Coaxial Cabling
• Thinnet Connectors and Terminators
• Thicknet (10 base5) Cabling
• Cabling; Twisted Pair
• Cable Categories
• Using a Crimping Tool
• Fibre Optic Connectors-SC and ST
• Direct Connections - Leased Lines
• UART
• CSU/DSU
• RS-232
• DB-9 Connectors
• Modem Diagnostics
• Other Connectors

Module 3: Network Protocols and Devices

• What is a Network Protocol?
• OSI 7-Layer Reference Model - Basics/Layers/Protocols
• Protocol Data Unit (PDU)
• Logical Link Control (802.2)
• MAC Addresses
• Repeaters
• Hubs
• Virtual LANs
• Gateways
• Other Network Protocols
• 802 Standards

Module 4: LAN Technologies

• Overview of LAN Technologies
• Early Ethernet Implementations
• Faster Ethernet Standards
• 802.11b - An Extension to the 802.3 Ethernet Standard
• FDDI
• FDDI Physical Connections
• FDDI Fault Tolerance
• FDDI Frame Format
• Other LAN Technologies

Module 5: WAN Technologies

• Features of WAN Technologies
• Remote Connection Types
• Direct Connections - Leased Lines
• High-Level Data Link Control - HDLC
• Circuit-switched Networks
• Serial Line Internet Protocol - SLIP
• Dial-up Networking via the Internet
• Point-to-Point Tunnelling Protocol (PPTP)
• Independent Computing Architecture
• X.25/OSI Reference Model
• Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
• Synchronous Optical Network

Module 6: Fundamentals of TCP/IP

• History
• Standards
• TCP/IP Protocols and Architecture
• Network Interface Layer
• Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
• Transport Layer
• Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
• Network ID and Host ID
• Classes of IP Address
• Private IP Address
• Dynamic Routing Protocols
• TCP/IP Utilities
• TRACERT
• PATHPING
• IPCONFIG
• WINIPCFG
• IFCONFIG
• NSLOOKUP
• NETSTAT
• NBTSTAT
• ARP

Module 7: TCP/IP Applications

• Ports and Sockets
• DHCP Mechanisms/Implementation
• Name Resolution
• Domain Name System (DNS)
• Zones of Authority
• Name Server Roles
• Name Resolution by Broadcast
• NetBIOS Name Resolution by NetBIOS Name Server-NBNS
• Overview of the Internet
• The World Wide Web
• Browsers
• Internet Service Providers
• Firewalls
• Proxy Servers
• Network Time Protocol
• Management Information Base - MIB

Module 8: Network Operating Systems and Applications

• Overview of Network Operating Systems
• Resource Sharing
• Client Based Interoperability
• Choosing a Network Operating System
• Network Applications
• Directory Services and X.500
• Distributed Applications

Module 9: Microsoft Windows Networking

• Introduction to Windows 2000
• Windows 2000 File Systems
• Planning for Windows 2000 Installation
• Installing Windows 2000 Server
• Microsoft Management Console
• User Accounts
• Client and Server Services for Microsoft Networks
• Alternative NetWare Connectivity Methods
• Interoperability with Other Networks

Module 10: UNIX Networking

• UNIX Implementations
• Features of Linux
• Disk, Directory and File Structure
• Disks and Partitions
• File Systems
• Logging into Linux
• Linux Administration
• File Management
• Security Management
• Useful Commands and Utilities

Module 12: Macintosh Networking

• Features of Mac OS
• Mac OS X
• Disk and File Management
• Network Configuration
• Security Mangement

Module 13: Network Administration

• Overview of Network Administration
• Managing Hardware and Software
• Making Network Resources Available
• User Accounts
• User Privileges
• User Profiles
• Choosing a File System
• Network Security
• Threats - Internal and External
• Password Policies
• Data Encryption
• IPSec
• L2TP
• SSL
• Kerberos
• Preserving Data
• Accidental Damage to Data

Module 14: Network Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting Tools
• Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
• Common Problems

Network+ Certification (N+) / NET+5