Networking 101 Syllabus

Networking 101

Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:

Describe the basic functions of a LAN, MAN, WAN, SAN, and VPN
Define networking terms such as bandwidth, throughput, protocol, and topology
Diagram common topologies, such as bus, ring, star, extended star, hierarchy, mesh
Explain the OSI model for networking and the functions of each layer of the model
Select the right cables (and wireless technologies) for modern LANs
Describe how devices access an Ethernet LAN
Work with Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and subnet masks
Discuss the functions of IP, User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
Explain how packets cross networks and networking devices
Use command line interfaces to troubleshoot networking problems
Set up a lab network using LAN and WAN cables, Cisco routers and switches, firewalls, and Linux and Windows workstations

The lab emulates a rather complex internetwork at a large company. Click here to learn more about its topology and configuration.

Week 1	Lab 1	Network discovery
Week 2	Lab 2	Testing network configurations
Week 3	Lab 3	LAN cabling and workstation configuration
Week 4	Lab 4	Wireless networking
Week 5	Lab 5	Managing routers, firewalls, and switches
Week 6	Lab 6	LAN optimization
Week 7	Lab 7	IP addressing and routing
Week 8	Lab 8	IP addressing and subnetting
Week 9	Lab 9	Configuring DHCP
Week 10	Lab 10	Protocol analysis with Wireshark

Letter grades with +/- qualifiers will be based on cumulative points: