Course Outline

I. The Foundation - Media and Carrier Systems

We'll begin by introducing the basic concepts that will be required to get started with voice and data networks. We'll discuss voice and data circuits, media choices and examine voice and data networks at a high level.

• Key Terms
  • Bandwidth and capacity
  • Bits, bytes and BPS nomenclature
  • Half and full duplex
• Media
  • Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
  • Fiber optic
• Switching
  • Concepts and definitions
    
  • Why we need switching
  • Circuit switching vs. packet switching
• Types of Circuits
  • Point-to-point switched
  • Point-to-point dedicated
  • Multipoint permanent virtual circuits
  • Multipoint switched virtual circuits
• Networking Basics
  • Types of networks - LANs and WANs
  • Information transmission methods - analog vs. digital
• Network Architecture
  • OSI layers
  • Why we need layering
  • Functions of the layers
  • The client-server model
  • Server roles, client roles
• Wireless Networks
  • Packet radio
  • Cellular voice
  • Wireless data system
  • Point-to-point wireless
  • Wireless LANs and WANs

II. Digital Voice, Multiplexing and Switching Systems

Multiplexing and switching are core concepts of voice and data fundamentals. We'll define those terms and look at how they are used to build traditional voice and data networks.

• Digital Voice
  • Concepts
  • Digital vs. analog
• Creation of Digital Voice
  • Analog to digital conversion techniques
  • Channel banks and CODECs
  • Definition of DS-0
• Multiplexing - Definition and Benefits
• Traditional Voice Multiplexing
  • Time division multiplexing
  • The digital carrier hierarchy
  • T-1, Fractional T-1, T-3, ISDN PRI
• Digital Voice Applications
  • Digital voice stations
  • Digital voice trunking
• Voice Multiplexing Products
  • Channel banks
  • T-1 multiplexers
• Central Office Switching
  • CO equipment
  • CO network applications
• Private Branch Exchanges
  • Why we need the PBX
  • Features and products
• Alternatives to PBX - Digital Key Systems
• Internetworking with Modems
  • Modems error correction
  • Standards and limitations
  • Applications
  • Methods of connecting
    

III. Data in the Office - Local Area Networks

Local Area Networks are a very important part of converged networks. LANS and how they are built as a platform for networking will be discussed along with important hardware such as switches and routers.

• History of LANs
  • Ethernet and the others
  • Token ring and FDDI
  • Versions of Ethernet
  • Application of media for Ethernet networks
• The Ethernet Access Method
  • MAC and MAC addressing
  • CSMA/CD
  • Collisions
• Ethernet Networking Components
  • NICs
  • Hubs
  • Switches
  • Routers
• Switch Operation
• Wireless LANs
  • Capabilities
  • Standards
  • Wireless security
• LAN Products Survey
  

IV. Routing and TCP/IP - Wide Area Networking and Packet Switching

The process of Wide Area Networking includes learning how the TCP/IP protocols are used to perform routing and how WANs can be "smart" about getting your data to the intended destination efficiently and reliably.

• Data Packet Switching
  • Packet switching operation
  • Relationship between statistical multiplexing and packet switching
• The Role of TCP/IP
  • The packet switching model
  • TCP/IP architecture
  • Routers
  • Types of interfaces found on routers
• Internetworking Protocol
  • IP addresses
  • Classes of addresses
  • Public and private addresses
  • How IP routing works
  • Subnetting and the subnet mask
• Dynamic Routing
  • Static vs. dynamic routing
  • Routing protocols
  • RIP, PSPF, IGRP and EIGRP
  • Applications for dynamic routing
    

V. Internetworking and Packet Network Design

Now that we have the core concepts in place, we will use these building blocks to build functional networks. As we combine these pieces (internetworking) we will learn the design concepts and capabilities.

• Internetworking
  • Connecting LANs and WANs
  • Building internets with circuit switching
• LAN Design Principles
  • Switched LAN backbones
  • Integrating hubs and switches
  • Switch-only Ethernets
  • Using routers in the LAN
  • Integrating switches and routers
  • Level 3 switches
• Virtual LANs
  • Stand alone vs. networked VLANs
  • Networked VLANs
  • Tagging and trunking
• Remote Access Servers
  • RAS applications
  • RAS products
• WAN Design Principles
  • Using dedicated T-1 and T-3 circuits
  • Using SONET for routing
  • Building WANs with Frame Relay
  • Building WANs with ATM
  • Using dial-on-demand routing
  • Hybrid WAN designs
    

VI. Network Operating Systems

How do we maximize the productivity of internetworks? We'll see how network operating systems are used to simplify network application usage. We'll also introduce the very important concept of network "ports" and see how they are used to establish client-server connections.

• Network Operating Systems
  • NOS applications - file transfer, email, file and print serving
  • NOS products - Microsoft, Unix, Apple and Novell
• TCP/IP Applications
  • TCP ports
  • FTP, SMTP, Telnet
  • WWW
• NOS File Sharing
  • Setting up shared files
  • Connecting to shared files
  • Using shares files
• NOS Security
  • Definition of a domain
  • Domain controllers
  • Domains vs. workgroups
    

VII. The Internet and Network Security with Firewalls

Here we examine the structure of the internet and the important internet systems software that make it work. We'll also discuss network security and firewalls and the very important topic of virtual private networks in the context of network security.

• How the Internet Works
  • Naming hierarchy
  • Domain name system
  • Internet addressing - public and private
  • Internet routing
• Internet Access Methods
  • LAN connection with dedicated lines vs. RAS
  • Single user connection methods - DSL, POTS, CATV, ISDN
• Internet Service Providers
  • Functions and components of the ISP
  • ISP networks
• Securing TCP/IP Networks
  • The role of firewalls
  • Port address translation vs. network address translation
  • DMZ networks
• Virtual Private Networks
  • Peer-to-peer VPNs
  • Client-server VPNs
  • VPN protocols and standards
    

VIII. Converging Voice & Data - Voice Over IP

Converging networks usually involves combining network resources for different applications, and using a common protocol is part of that process. In this session, you will see how to use the protocol to carry voice, and you will examine the advantages of this approach, as well as how to plan and implement it.

• Introduction to VoIP
  • Definition of VoIP
  • Basic Principles of VoIP Operation
  • Market Demand Analysis Results
• Benefits of VoIP
  • PBX Replacement
  • Integration of Resources
  • Voice/Data System Features Integration
  • VoIP Conferencing
  • Unified Messaging
  • Call Center Considerations
• Pitfalls When Implementing VoIP
  • Quality Of Service
  • Hardware Upgrades
  • Voice Features Considerations
• Methods of VoIP Implementation
  • IP-Enabled PBX Method
  • IP-Centric LAN Method
• Strategies for Migrating Existing Circuit-Switched Networks
  • Migrating to an IP-Enabled Method
  • Migrating to an IP-Centric Method
• VoIP in the LAN
  • VoIP Codecs
  • Call Processors
  • Digital Signal Processors
  • VoIP Compression Algorithms
• VoIP in the WAN
  • IP-Centric WAN Designs
  • VoIP Gateways
  • VoIP Over the Internet
• Implementing QOS
  • Priority Queuing
  • Traffic Shaping
  • Call Admission Control
  • Allowances for Traffic Overflow
• Examples of VoIP Product Suites
  • The Cisco Suite
  • Avaya Suite
  • Nortel Suite
    

IX. Wireless Technology

Wireless technology is a big part of the converging networks phenomenon and we will look at current and future developments in wireless communications. We'll look at wireless systems being applied to both voice and data and offer a sneak peek at some exciting products for the future.

• Integrating Wireless LAN Systems into the Internet
  • Access point capabilities
  • Wireless bridges, switches and routers
• Cellular Systems
  • Using cellular for voice
  • Principles of cell voice
  • Cellular standards
  • Analog vs. digital systems
  • Products and vendors
• Using Cellular for Data
  • Present 2.5G standards
  • Capabilities and limitations
  • Products and vendors
• Second Generation Broadband Wireless
  • Definition of a 2.5G product
  • 1xRTT
  • GSM
• WI-FI Technologies
  
  • Present capabilities and limitations
  • WI-FI applications
  • Representative WI-FI products
  • Future WI-FI developments
    
• 3G Cellular Networks
  • GPRS
  • The EDGE network
  • Enhanced 1x - EV-DO