Network Engineering Course Overview

Instructor & Course Goals

• Instructor: Brian Ferrill from Edmonds College
• Course Goals:
  • Prepare to configure, manage, and troubleshoot computer networks
  • Aid in preparation for CompTIA Network+ exam

Key Topics in Network Devices

OSI Model Overview

• 7 Layers of OSI Model:
  1. Physical
  2. Data Link
  3. Network
  4. Transport
  5. Session
  6. Presentation
  7. Application
• Focus on Layers 1, 2, and 3 in this session
  • Determine device OSI layer based on highest level of operation

Layer 1 Devices

• Analog Modems
  • Convert digital signals to analog and vice versa
  • Operate on Physical Layer (Layer 1)
• Hubs
  • Function as concentrators/repeaters
  • Operate on Physical Layer (Layer 1)

Layer 2 Devices

• Switches
  • Use ASIC chips to manage MAC addresses
  • Operate on Data Link Layer (Layer 2)
  • Can be simple or complex
• Wireless Access Points (WAPs)
  • Bridge wireless and wired network segments
  • Operate on Data Link Layer (Layer 2)

Layer 3 Devices

• Multi-Layer Switches
  • Provide both Layer 2 and Layer 3 services
  • Handle routing functions
  • Expensive, common in enterprise LANs
• Routers
  • Connect different networks using OSI Layer 3
  • Use software programming for routing decisions

Introduction to Network Devices Part Two

Security Devices

• Firewalls
  • Operate across multiple OSI layers (2, 3, 4, 7)
  • Methods: Stateless and Stateful Inspection
  • First line of defense for network security
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
  • Passive systems that alert when attacks occur
  • Types: Signature-based, Anomaly-based, Policy-based
• Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
  • Active systems that prevent attacks
  • Take actions like blocking IPs or terminating sessions

Optimization and Performance Devices

• VPN Concentrators
  • Manage secure VPN connections
  • Operate at multiple OSI layers (2, 3, 7)
• Load Balancers
  • Distribute traffic across multiple servers
• Proxy Servers
  • Hide client requests and filter content

Networking Services and Applications

Basics of Virtual Private Network (VPN)

• VPN Types:
  • Site-to-Site: Connects remote network to a main network
  • Remote Access: Allows remote users access to a local network
  • Host-to-Host: Secure connection without VPN client software
• Key Protocols:
  • IPsec: Set of protocols for securing VPN connections
  • TLS: Secure connections between devices
  • GRE: Tunneling protocol for encapsulating packets

Network Access Services

• Network Interface Controller (NIC)
  • Works at OSI Layers 1 and 2
  • Connects devices to networks
• RADIUS and TACACS+
  • Authenticate remote users and devices
  • Provide AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting)

DHCP in the Network

IP Addressing

• Static vs Dynamic:
  • Static: Manually set, stable networks, but cumbersome
  • Dynamic (DHCP): Automatically assigns IPs from a pool

DHCP Process

• Discovery, Offer, Request, Acknowledgement
  • PC sends a discovery packet
  • DHCP server offers an IP
  • PC requests the offered IP
  • Server acknowledges and grants IP configuration

Components of DHCP

• Address Scope: Range of IPs DHCP can assign
• Leases: Time limit for IP configuration validity

Introduction to DNS Service

DNS Servers

• Maps human-friendly names to IP addresses
• Hierarchy: Local -> TLD -> Root servers

DNS Records

• Types: A record, AAAA record, CNAME, PTR, MX

Dynamic DNS

• Allows for immediate DNS updates
• Useful for changing IPs while maintaining same hostnames

Network Address Translation (NAT)

Purpose of NAT

• Translates non-routable private IPs to routable public IPs
• Solves routing issues for private IPs

Types of NAT

• Static NAT: Fixed mapping of private to public IP
• Dynamic NAT: Uses a pool of public IPs
• PAT (Port Address Translation): Extends dynamic NAT by assigning port numbers

WAN Technologies

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

• Dial-up and ISDN: Older technologies for network transmission

DSL Types

• SDSL, ADSL, VDSL: Variations based on speed and capabilities

Broadband Cable

• Coaxial cable for delivering internet

Fiber Optics

• High-speed, long-distance data transmission

Additional Network Technologies

Cellular Connections

• GSM and CDMA: Standards for mobile networking

WiMAX

• Microwave access as an alternative to wired connections

Satellite

• Long-distance communication via satellite network

Metro Ethernet

• Ethernet connections at metropolitan levels

Leased Lines

• Dedicated circuits for communication between endpoints

Switching Technologies

• Frame Relay, ATM, MPLS: Technologies for efficient data switching

Network Cabling

Twisted Pair

• Categories: Cat3, Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a
• Connector Types: RJ-11, RJ-45, RJ-48C

Coaxial Cable

• Types: RG-58, RG-59, RG-6
• Connectors: BNC, F connector

Fiber Optic

• Connectors: SC, ST, LC, MTRJ

Media Converters

• Convert between different cabling standards

Cabling Tools

• Crimpers, Strippers, Punchdown Tools, Testers, TDR, OTDR

Network Topologies

Types

• Bus, Ring, Star, Mesh, Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint

MPLS

• Label switching for dynamic packet routing

Network Infrastructure Implementations

Network Types

• LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN
• SCADA and MediaNet as special mentions

IPv4 and IPv6 Addressing

IPv4 Basics

• Purpose and properties of IP addresses
• Classes: A, B, C, D, E
• Private IP ranges and Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR)

IPv6 Basics

• 128-bit address structure
• Local and global address structure
• Unicast, multicast, and anycast transmission types

Special IP Networking Concepts

MAC Address

• Physical address unique to each network interface

Collision and Broadcast Domains

• Areas in networks affected by data collisions and broadcasts

Routing Concepts

Routing Purpose

• Connect different networks and manage data traffic

Routing Metrics and Aggregation

• Distance vector, link state, hybrid protocols
• Convergence and administrative distances

Unified Communications

Concepts and Technologies

• Unified Communication servers and gateways
• Quality of Service (QoS) and types of communication

Virtualization

Technologies

• Hypervisors vs Virtual Machine Managers
• Virtual networks and Software Defined Networking (SDN)

Storage Area Networks

Justifications and Technologies

• Scalability and optimization in data storage
• Technologies: Fibre Channel, iSCSI, Jumbo Frames

Cloud Concepts

Cloud Classifications

• Public, Private, Hybrid, Community Clouds

Cloud Services

• SaaS, PaaS, IaaS

Implementing a Basic Network

Network Planning and Configuration

• Network requirements and security considerations
• Wireless configurations and firewall setups

Analyzing Monitoring Reports

Baseline Reports

• Establishing network baselines for performance monitoring

Monitoring Tools

• Event Viewer, syslog, SNMP, SIEM
• Active monitoring and wireless tools

Environmental Monitoring

• Power, heat, and humidity monitoring systems