Introduction

Introduction to Networks v7.0

(ITN)
HOW THIS COURCE IS ORGANIZED
 Chapter 1: “Networking Today”: This chapter introduces the concept of a network and provides an
overview of the different types of networks encountered. It examines how networks impact the way
we work, learn, and play. This chapter also examines recent trends in networks, such as video,
cloud computing, and BYOD and how to help ensure robust, reliable, secure networks to support
these trends.

 Chapter 2: “Basic Switch and End Device Configuration”: This chapter introduces the operating
system used with most Cisco devices: Cisco IOS. The basic purpose and functions of IOS are
described, as are methods to access IOS. The chapter also describes how to maneuver through
the IOS command-line interface as well as basic IOS device configuration.

 Chapter 3: “Protocols and Models”: This chapter examines the importance of rules or protocols for
network communication. It explores the OSI reference model and the TCP/IP communication suite
and examines how these models provide the necessary protocols to allow communication to occur
on a modern converged network.

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Continue
 Chapter 4: “Physical Layer”: This chapter introduces the lowest layer of the OSI model: the physical
layer. This chapter explains the transmission of bits over the physical medium.
 Chapter 5: “Number Systems”: This chapter explains how to convert between decimal, binary, and
hexadecimal number systems. Understanding these number systems is essential to understanding
IPv4, IPv6, and Ethernet MAC addressing.

 Chapter 6: “Data Link Layer”: This chapter discusses how the data link layer prepares network layer
packets for transmission, controls access to the physical media, and transports data across various
media. This chapter includes a description of the encapsulation protocols and processes that occur
as data travels across the LAN and the WAN.

 Chapter 7: “Ethernet Switching”: This chapter examines the functionality of the Ethernet LAN
protocols. It explores how Ethernet functions, including how devices use Ethernet MAC addresses
to communicate in a multiaccess network. The chapter discusses how Ethernet switches build MAC
address tables and forward Ethernet frames.

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 Chapter 8: “Network Layer”: This chapter introduces the function of the network layer—routing—
and the basic device that performs this function—the router. It presents important routing concepts
related to addressing, path determination, and data packets for both IPv4 and IPv6. The chapter
also introduces how routers perform packet forwarding, static and dynamic routing, and the IP
routing table.

 Chapter 9: “Address Resolution”: This chapter discusses how host computers and other end
devices determine the Ethernet MAC address for a known IPv4 or IPv6 address. This chapter
examines the ARP protocol for IPv4 address resolution and the Neighbor Discovery Protocol for
IPv6.

 Chapter 10: “Basic Router Configuration”: This chapter explains how to configure a Cisco router,
including IPv4 and IPv6 addressing on an interface.

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 Chapter 11: “IPv4 Addressing”: This chapter focuses on IPv4 network addressing, including the
types of addresses and address assignment. It describes how to use subnet masks to determine
the number of subnetworks and hosts in a network. It examines how to improve network
performance by optimally dividing the IPv4 address space based on network requirements. It
explores the calculation of valid host addresses and the determination of both subnet and
broadcast addresses.

 Chapter 12: “IPv6 Addressing”: This chapter focuses on IPv6 network addressing, including IPv6
address representation, types of addresses, and the structure of different types of IPv6 address.
The chapter introduces the different methods that an end device can receive an IPv6 address
automatically.

 Chapter 13: “ICMP”: This chapter introduces Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) tools, such
as ping and trace.

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 Chapter 14: “Transport Layer”: This chapter introduces Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and
User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and examines how each of these protocols transports information
across the network. It explores how TCP uses segmentation, the three-way handshake, and
expectational acknowledgements to ensure reliable delivery of data. It also examines the best-effort
delivery mechanism provided by UDP and describes when its use would be preferred over the use
of TCP.

 Chapter 15: “Application Layer”: This chapter introduces some protocols of the TCP/IP application
layer, which also relates to the top three layers of the OSI model. The chapter focuses on the role of
the application layer and how the applications, services, and protocols in the application layer make
robust communication across data networks possible. This will be demonstrated by examining
some key protocols and services, including HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, DHCP, SMTP/POP, and FTP.

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 Chapter 16: “Network Security Fundamentals”: This chapter introduces network security threats and
vulnerabilities. Various network attacks and mitigation techniques are discussed, along with how to
secure network devices.

 Chapter 17: “Build a Small Network”: This chapter reexamines the various components in a small
network and describes how they work together to allow network growth. It examines network
configuration and troubleshooting issues, along with different troubleshooting methodologies.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 7
What is the Computer networking?
 Computer networking refers to connected computing devices (such as laptops, desktops, servers,
smartphones, and tablets) and an ever-expanding array of IoT devices (such as cameras, door
locks, doorbells, refrigerators, audio/visual systems, and various sensors) that communicate with
one another.

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Why we need networks?
Computer networks help users on the network to share the resources and in communication. Can you
imagine a world now without emails, online newspapers, blogs, chat and the other services offered by
the internet?

The following are the important uses and benefits of a computer network.
File sharing: Networking of computers helps the network users to share data files.
Hardware sharing: Users can share devices such as printers, scanners, CD-ROM drives, hard
drives etc. Without computer networks, device sharing is not possible.
Application sharing: Applications can be shared over the network, and this allows to implement
client/server applications
User communication: Networks allow users to communicate using e-mail, newsgroups, and video
conferencing etc.
Network gaming: A lot of network games are available, which allow multi-users to play from different
locations.
Voice over IP (VoIP): Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) is a revolutionary change in
telecommunication which allows to send telephone calls (voice data) using standard Internet Protocol
(IP) rather than by traditional PSTN.
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Module 1: Networking Today
Introduction to Networks v7.0
(ITN)
Module Objectives
Module Title: Networking Today

Module Objective: Explain the advances in modern technologies.

Topic Title Topic Objective

Networks Affect our Lives Explain how networks affect our daily lives.
Network Components Explain how host and network devices are used.
Network Representations and Topologies Explain network representations and how they are used in network topologies.
Common Types of Networks Compare the characteristics of common types of networks.
Internet Connections Explain how LANs and WANs interconnect to the internet.
Reliable Networks Describe the four basic requirements of a reliable network.

Network Trends Explain how trends such as BYOD, online collaboration, video, and cloud computing
are changing the way we interact.
Network Security Identify some basic security threats and solution for all networks.

The IT Professional Explain employment opportunities in the networking field.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 11
1.1 Networks Affect Our
Lives

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Networking Today
Networks Connect Us

Communication is almost as important to us as our reliance on air, water, food, and

shelter. In today’s world, through the use of networks, we are connected like never
before.

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Networking Today
Video – The Cisco Networking Academy Learning Experience
Cisco Networking Academy: learn how we use technology to make the world a better place.

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Networking Today
No Boundaries
• World without boundaries

• Global communities

• Human network

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1.2 Network Components

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Network Components
Host Roles
Every computer on a network is
called a host or end device.
Servers are computers that provide
information to end devices:
• email servers
• web servers Server Description
Type
• file server
Email Email server runs email server software.
Clients are computers that send Clients use client software to access email.
requests to the servers to retrieve
Web Web server runs web server software.
information: Clients use browser software to access web pages.
• web page from a web server
• email from an email server File File server stores corporate and user files.
The client devices access these files.
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Network Components
Peer-to-Peer
It is possible to have a device be a client and a server in a Peer-to-Peer Network. This type of
network design is only recommended for very small networks.

Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to set up No centralized administration
Less complex Not as secure
Lower cost Not scalable

Used for simple tasks: transferring files and sharing Slower performance
printers
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Network Components
End Devices
An end device is where a message originates from or where it is received. Data originates with an
end device, flows through the network, and arrives at an end device.

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Network Components
Intermediary Network Devices
An intermediary device interconnects end devices. Examples include switches, wireless
access points, routers, and firewalls.
Management of data as it flows through a network is also the role of an intermediary
device, including:
• Regenerate and retransmit data signals.
• Maintain information about what pathways exist in the network.
• Notify other devices of errors and communication failures.

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Network Components
Network Media
Communication across a network is carried through a medium which allows a message to
travel from source to destination.

Media Types Description

Metal wires within cables Uses electrical impulses

Glass or plastic fibers Uses pulses of light.

within cables (fiber-optic
cable)
Wireless transmission Uses modulation of
specific frequencies of
electromagnetic waves.

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1.3 Network Representations and
Topologies

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Network Representations and Topologies
Network Representations

Network diagrams, often called topology

diagrams, use symbols to represent
devices within the network.
Important terms to know include:
• Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Physical Port
• Interface

Note: Often, the terms port and

interface are used interchangeably

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 23
Network Representations and Topologies
Topology Diagrams
Physical topology diagrams illustrate the Logical topology diagrams illustrate devices,
physical location of intermediary devices ports, and the addressing scheme of the
and cable installation. network.

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1.4 Common Types of Networks

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Common Types of Networks
Networks of Many Sizes
• Small Home Networks – connect a few
computers to each other and the Internet
• Small Office/Home Office – enables
computer within a home or remote office
to connect to a corporate network
Small Home SOHO • Medium to Large Networks – many
locations with hundreds or thousands of
interconnected computers
• World Wide Networks – connects
hundreds of millions of computers world-
wide – such as the internet

Medium/Large World Wide

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 26
Common Types of Networks
LANs and WANs
Network infrastructures vary greatly in
terms of:
• Size of the area covered
• Number of users connected
• Number and types of services
available
• Area of responsibility

Two most common types of networks:

• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN).

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 27
Common Types of Networks
LANs and WANs (cont.)
A LAN is a network infrastructure that spans A WAN is a network infrastructure that spans
a small geographical area. a wide geographical area.

LAN WAN
Interconnect end devices in a limited area. Interconnect LANs over wide geographical areas.
Administered by a single organization or Typically administered by one or more service
individual. providers.
Provide high-speed bandwidth to internal Typically provide slower speed links between LANs.
devices.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 28
Common Types of Networks
The Internet
The internet is a worldwide collection of
interconnected LANs and WANs.
• LANs are connected to each other using
WANs.
• WANs may use copper wires, fiber optic
cables, and wireless transmissions.
The internet is not owned by any individual
or group. The following groups were
developed to help maintain structure on
the internet:
• IETF
• ICANN
• IAB
© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 29
Common Types of Networks
Intranets and Extranets

An intranet is a private collection of LANs

and WANs internal to an organization that
is meant to be accessible only to the
organizations members or others with
authorization.
An organization might use an extranet to
provide secure access to their network for
individuals who work for a different
organization that need access to their
data on their network.

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1.5 Internet Connections

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Internet Connections
Internet Access Technologies There are many ways to connect users
and organizations to the internet:
• Popular services for home users
and small offices include
broadband cable, broadband digital
subscriber line (DSL), wireless
WANs, and mobile services.
• Organizations need faster
connections to support IP phones,
video conferencing and data center
storage.
• Business-class interconnections
are usually provided by service
providers (SP) and may include:
business DSL, leased lines, and
Metro Ethernet.
© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 32
Internet Connections
Home and Small Office Internet Connections
Connection Description

Cable high bandwidth, always on, internet

offered by cable television service
providers.

DSL high bandwidth, always on, internet

connection that runs over a
telephone line.
Cellular uses a cell phone network to connect
to the internet.

Satellite major benefit to rural areas without

Internet Service Providers.
Dial-up an inexpensive, low bandwidth
telephone option using a modem.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 33
Internet Connections
Businesses Internet Connections
Corporate business connections may Type of Description
require: Connection
Dedicated These are reserved circuits within
• higher bandwidth Leased Line the service provider’s network that
• dedicated connections connect distant offices with private
voice and/or data networking.
• managed services
Ethernet This extends LAN access technology
WAN into the WAN.

DSL Business DSL is available in various

formats including Symmetric Digital
Subscriber Lines (SDSL).

Satellite This can provide a connection when

a wired solution is not available.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 34
Internet Connections
The Converging Network

Before converged networks, an

organization would have been
separately cabled for telephone, video,
and data. Each of these networks
would use different technologies to
carry the signal.
Each of these technologies would use a
different set of rules and standards.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 35
Internet Connections
The Converging Network (Cont.)
Converged data networks carry
multiple services on one link including:
• data
• voice
• video
Converged networks can deliver data,
voice, and video over the same
network infrastructure. The network
infrastructure uses the same set of
rules and standards.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 36
Internet Connections
Video – Download and Install Packet Tracer
This video will demonstrate the download and install process of Packet Tracer.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 37
Internet Connections
Video – Getting Started in Cisco Packet Tracer
This video will cover the following:
• Navigate the Packet Tracer interface
• Customize the Packet Tracer Interface

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 38
Internet Connections
Packet Tracer – Network Representation
In this Packet tracer you will do the following:
• The network model in this activity incorporates many of the technologies that you will
master in your CCNA studies.

Note: It is not important that you understand everything you see and do in this activity.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 39
1.6 Reliable Networks

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Reliable Network
Network Architecture
Network Architecture refers to the
technologies that support the infrastructure
that moves data across the network.
There are four basic characteristics that the
underlying architectures need to address to
meet user expectations:
• Fault Tolerance
• Scalability
• Quality of Service (QoS)
• Security

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 41
Reliable Network
Fault Tolerance
A fault tolerant network limits the impact of
a failure by limiting the number of affected
devices. Multiple paths are required for
fault tolerance.
Reliable networks provide redundancy by
implementing a packet switched network:
• Packet switching splits traffic into
packets that are routed over a network.
• Each packet could theoretically take a
different path to the destination.
This is not possible with circuit-switched
networks which establish dedicated
circuits.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 42
Reliable Network
Scalability

A scalable network can expand

quickly and easily to support
new users and applications
without impacting the
performance of services to
existing users.
Network designers follow
accepted standards and
protocols in order to make the
networks scalable.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 43
Reliable Network
Quality of Service
Voice and live video transmissions
require higher expectations for those
services being delivered.

Have you ever watched a live video with

constant breaks and pauses? This is
caused when there is a higher demand
for bandwidth than available – and QoS
isn’t configured.

• Quality of Service (QoS) is the primary

mechanism used to ensure reliable
delivery of content for all users.

• With a QoS policy in place, the router

can more easily manage the flow of
data and voice traffic.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 44
Reliable Network There are two main types of network
Network Security security that must be addressed:
• Network infrastructure security
• Physical security of network devices
• Preventing unauthorized access to
the devices
• Information Security
• Protection of the information or data
transmitted over the network
Three goals of network security:
• Confidentiality – only intended
recipients can read the data
• Integrity – assurance that the data has
not be altered with during transmission
• Availability – assurance of timely and
reliable access to data for authorized
users
© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 45
1.7 Network Trends

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Network Trends
Recent Trends
The role of the network must adjust
and continually transform in order to
be able to keep up with new
technologies and end user devices as
they constantly come to the market.

Several new networking trends that

effect organizations and consumers:
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
• Online collaboration
• Video communications
• Cloud computing

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 47
Network Trends
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Bring Your Own Device allows users to use their own devices
giving them more opportunities and
greater flexibility.

BYOD allows end users to have the

freedom to use personal tools to
access information and communicate
using their:
• Laptops
• Netbooks
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• E-readers
BYOD means any device, with any
ownership, used anywhere.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 48
Network Trends
Online Collaboration
 Collaborate and work with others
over the network on joint projects.

 Collaboration tools including Cisco

WebEx (shown in the figure) gives
users a way to instantly connect and
interact.

 Collaboration is a very high priority

for businesses and in education.

 Cisco Webex Teams is a

multifunctional collaboration tool.
• send instant messages
• post images
• post videos and links

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Network Trends
Video Communication
• Video calls are made to anyone, regardless of where they are located.

• Video conferencing is a powerful tool for communicating with others.

• Video is becoming a critical requirement for effective collaboration.

• Cisco TelePresence powers is one way of working where everyone,

everywhere.

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Network Trends
Video – Cisco WebEx for Huddles

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Network Trends
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing allows us to store personal files or backup our data on servers over the internet.
• Applications can also be accessed using the Cloud.
• Allows businesses to deliver to any device anywhere in the world.

Cloud computing is made possible by data centers.

• Smaller companies that can’t afford their own data centers, lease server and storage services from larger
data center organizations in the Cloud.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 52
Network Trends
Cloud Computing (Cont.)
Four types of Clouds:
• Public Clouds
• Available to the general public through a pay-per-use model or for free.
• Private Clouds
• Intended for a specific organization or entity such as the government.
• Hybrid Clouds
• Made up of two or more Cloud types – for example, part custom and part public.
• Each part remains a distinctive object but both are connected using the same architecture.
• Custom Clouds
• Built to meet the needs of a specific industry, such as healthcare or media.
• Can be private or public.
© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 53
Network Trends
Technology Trends in the Home
• Smart home technology is a
growing trend that allows
technology to be integrated into
every-day appliances which
allows them to interconnect with
other devices.
• Ovens might know what time to
cook a meal for you by
communicating with your calendar
on what time you are scheduled
to be home.
• Smart home technology is
currently being developed for all
rooms within a house.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 54
Network Trends • Powerline networking can
Powerline Networking allow devices to connect to a
LAN where data network
cables or wireless
communications are not
available option.
• Using a standard powerline
adapter, devices can connect
to the LAN wherever there is
an electrical outlet by
sending data on certain
frequencies.
• Powerline networking is
especially useful when
wireless access points
cannot reach all the devices
in the home.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 55
Network Trends
Wireless Broadband
In addition to DSL and cable, wireless is
another option used to connect homes
and small businesses to the internet.
• More commonly found in rural
environments, a Wireless Internet Service
Provider (WISP) is an ISP that connects
subscribers to designated access points or
hotspots.
• Wireless broadband is another solution for
the home and small businesses.
• Uses the same cellular technology used by a
smart phone.
• An antenna is installed outside the house
providing wireless or wired connectivity for
devices in the home.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 56
1.8 Network Security

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Network Security
Security Threats • Network security is an integral
part of networking regardless of
the size of the network.
• The network security that is
implemented must take into
account the environment while
securing the data, but still
allowing for quality of service that
is expected of the network.
• Securing a network involves
many protocols, technologies,
devices, tools, and techniques in
order to secure data and mitigate
threats.
• Threat vectors might be external
or internal.
© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 58
Network Security
External Threats:
Security Threats (Cont.)
• Viruses, worms, and Trojan
horses
• Spyware and adware
• Zero-day attacks
• Threat Actor attacks
• Denial of service attacks
• Data interception and theft
• Identity theft

Internal Threats:
• lost or stolen devices
• accidental misuse by employees
• malicious employees
© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 59
Network Security
Security Solutions
Security must be implemented in multiple
layers using more than one security solution.
Network security components for home or
small office network:
• Antivirus and antispyware software
should be installed on end devices.
• Firewall filtering used to block
unauthorized access to the network.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 60
Network Security
Security Solutions (Cont.)

Larger networks have additional security

requirements:
• Dedicated firewall system
• Access control lists (ACL)
• Intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
• Virtual private networks (VPN)
The study of network security starts with a clear
understanding of the underlying switching and
routing infrastructure.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 61