LESSON 1: NETWORK o All devices are directly connected via

cables and/or short-range wireless

What is Network?
technology
- A network is nothing more than “two o Doesn’t require a leased
connected computers sharing resources with telecommunications line from an
one another.” Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- It is composed of two main aspects: - Example
o Physical Connection o Home Network
▪ Wires, cables, wireless media o Small Business or Office Network
o Logical Connection
Campus Area Network (CAN)
▪ Data transporting across the
physical media - A computer network of multiple
interconnected LANs in a limited geographical
Some Basic Networking Rules
area, such as a corporate business park,
- The computers in a network must use the government agency, or university campus.
same procedures for sending and receiving - Typically owned or used by a single entity.
data. We call these communication protocols.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- Data must be delivered uncorrupted. If it is
corrupted, it’s useless (No exceptions) - A computer network that interconnects users
- Computers in a network must be capable of with computer resources in a city
determining the origin and destination of a - Larger than a campus area network, but
piece of information. (i.e., its IP and Mac smaller than a wide area network
Address)
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Types of Computer Networks (by Size)
- A LAN that’s dependent on wireless
- Personal Area Network (PAN) connectivity or one that extends a traditional
- Local Area Network (LAN) wired LAN to a wireless LAN.
- Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) - Most home networks are WLANs.
- Campus Area Network (CAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- Wide Area Network (WAN) - A computer network that extends over a large
geographical distance, typically multiple cities
Personal Area Network (PAN)
and countries
- Ultra small networks used for personal use to - WANs connect geographically distant LANs
share data from one device to another - Typically use leased telecommunications lines
- Can be wired (PAN) or wireless (WPAN) from ISPs
o USB - Example
o Bluetooth o The Internet Corporate Offices in
o NFC ANT+ different states
- Example
Network Architecture (Peer-to-Peer vs. Client-Server)
o Smartphone to Laptop
o Smartwatch to Smartphone Peer-to-Peer
o Smartphone Hands-Free Car Calling
o Heart Rate Monitor to Smartphone - All computers on the network are peers
o No dedicated servers
Local Area Network (LAN) o There’s no centralized control over
shared resources
- A computer network within a small
- Any device can share its resources as it
geographical area such as, a single room,
pleases
building or group of buildings
- All computers can act as either a client or a
- Considered to be self-contained:
server
- Easy to setup, and common in homes and
small businesses
Client-Server The OSI Model

- The network is composed of client and servers - The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)
o Servers provide resources o A conceptual framework showing us
o Client receives resources how data moves throughout a
- Servers provide centralized control over network. Developed by the
network resources (files, printers, etc.) International Organization for
- Centralizes user accounts, security, and access Standardization (ISO) in 1977.
controls to simplify network administration - Its purpose is to give us a guide to
- More difficult to setup and requires an IT understanding how networks operate.
administrator - It’s only a reference model, so don’t get
wrapped up in the details.
Why Build a Computer Network?
o Wasn’t implemented in the real
- Before computer networks, people sent and world, TCP/IP is.
received information by hand, using the postal
The OSI Model Stack
service. This is slow and can be unreliable.
- Computer networks enable faster, more - The OSI Model breaks down the complex task
efficient modes of communication. (i.e., email, of computer-to-computer network
video conferencing, etc.) communications into seven layers.
- Computer networks and the sharing of - Upper Layers (Host Layers)
electronic data encourage the use of standard o Handled by the host computer and
policies and procedures. performs application-specific
- Computer networks provide backup and functions, such as data formatting,
recovery support for our data. (i.e., encryption, and connection
redundancy) management.
- Computer networks lead to cost savings - Lower Layers (Media Layers)
o Provide network-specific functions,
Introduction to Computer Networking Protocols
such as routing, addressing, and flow
- Computers communicate with each other control.
with network protocols.
The OSI Model Visualized
- Protocols are rules governing how machines
exchange data and enable effective
communication.
- Some Everyday Examples
o When you call somebody, you pick up
the phone, ensure there is a dial tone,
and if there is, you dial the number.
o When you drive your car, you obey
the rules of the road.

Protocols Continued

- Physical Protocols describe the medium

(wiring), the connections (RJ-45 port), and the
signal (voltage level on a wire).
- Logical Protocols software controlling how
and when data is sent and received to
computers, supporting physical protocols.
- Computer networks depend on many different
types of protocols in order to work properly.
- Example of Common TCP/IP Suite of Protocols
o Web Communication: HTTP
o E-mail: POP3, SMTP, IMAP
o File Transfers: FTP
OSI Communication TCP/IP & OSI Models Side-by-Side

The TCP/IP Model Mac Addresses

- The TCP/IP suite is the most commonly used - Media Access Control (MAC)
protocol suite in the networking world. o Physical address of the network
- It’s essentially the protocol suite in which the adapter card
Internet was built. o OSI Layer 2 (Data Link) Layer Address
- It’s the standard for computer networking. o TCP/IP Layer 1 (Network Interface)
- It is based on a 4-layer model that is similar to Layer Address
the OSI model. - Six bytes (48 bits), usually represented
- History of TCP/IP hexadecimal
o Developed by the United States, o First three bytes (24 bits) are assigned
Department of Defense (DoD) in the by the IEEE to the manufacturer
early 1970s. ▪ Organizationally Unique
o In 1982, the DoD declared TCP/IP as Identifier (OUI) assigned by
the standard for all military computer IEEE (ex: Dell or HP)
networking o Last three bytes (24 bits) are usually
o In 1984, broad adoption of TCP/IP assigned sequentially
began. (IBM, AT&T, etc.). ▪ Unique Numbers
▪ 00:21:70:6F:06: F2
▪ 00-21-70-6F-06-F2
▪ 224 = ~16.7 million Unique
Addresses

IP Addresses

- It is a logical address used in order to

uniquely identify a device on an IP network.
o It’s a Network Layer address
associated with routing.
▪ OSI Layer 3: Network Layer
▪ TCP/IP Layer 2: Internet Layer
o There are two versions:
▪ IP version 4 (IPv4)
• 192.168.0.1
▪ IP version 6 (IPv6)
• 2001:DB8:85A3:0:0:8
A2E:370:7334
Comparing IP and MAC Addresses Broadcast (One-to-All)

IP Addresses MAC Addresses

Network (OSI Layer 3) Data Link (OSI Layer 2)
Addresses Addresses
Logical Addresses Physical Addresses
Assigned in Operating Physically burned on NIC
System
Allows network-to- Allows internet work
network communication communication via
via routers hubs, switches, and
routers

WAN communication Local LAN Introduction to Ethernet

communication
- The most popular networking technology in
the world.
Half vs. Full Duplex Communication
- Refers to a family of standards that define the
- Network communication will occur in either physical and logical aspects of the world’s
full or half duplex mode: most popular type of LAN.
o Half Duplex: Can send and receive - The standard communications protocol for
data, but not at the same time. building a local area network (LAN).
o Full Duplex: Can send and receive o Physical
data simultaneously. ▪ Cabling, Connectors,
Equipment, etc.
Network Transmission Types
o Logical
- Unicast ▪ Networking Access Method.
- Multicast (i.e., Carrier Sense Multiple
- Broadcast Access [CSMA])

Unicast (One-to-One)

Multicast (One-to-Many)
LESSON 2: ETHERNET

Physical vs. Logical Topologies

- Physical topologies describe the placement of

network devices and how they are physically
connected.
- Logical topologies describe how data flows Star Topology
throughout a network.
- All devices are connected to a central
Wired Network Topologies connecting device, which is usually a switch.
- Devices send data to the switch which
- Four Specific Topologies:
forwards it to the appropriate destination
o Bus
device.
o Ring
- Popular topology in today’s networks.
o Star
- Used in most large and small networks.
o Mesh
- Central device is a single point of failure.
Bus Topology

- All devices are connected to a single coaxial

network cable.
- Devices are connected via a vampire tap or T-
connector.
- Terminators are required at both ends of the
cable to prevent signal bounce. Mesh Topology
- Antiquated technology - Each device is connected to every other
- Only one end device can be active on the device by separate cabling.
network at a time. - Highly redundant and fault-tolerance.
- Data signals travel in both directions and are - Expensive to install.
received by all devices on the network. - Commonly used in Enterprise Networks &
- A single break in the cable can take down the WANs.
entire network. - Two Types:
o Partial Mesh
o Full Mesh

Ring Topology

- All devices are connected in a circular fashion.

- Each computer is connected to two other Wireless Network Topologies
computers.
- Wireless networks utilize radio frequencies
- Data travels from node-to-node with each
(RF) to communicate.
computer handling data, either unidirectional
- Three Specific Topologies:
or bidirectional.
o Ad hoc
- Each device (node) in the ring regenerates the
o Infrastructure
signal, acting as a repeater.
o Mesh
- Failure of a single node can take down the
entire network.
- Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) uses
two counter-rotating ring topologies for
redundancy.
Ad hoc Hubs

- Peer-to-peer (P2P) wireless network where no - Used to connect devices together within a
wireless access point (WAP) infrastructure network.
exits. - Used in early networks; replaced by Switches
- The devices communicate directly with one - “Multi-Port Repeater”
another. o Traffic goes in one port and is
- Personal area networks (PANs) are a common repeated (broadcasted) out every
- Example of Ad hoc other port
o Wireless networks o OSI Layer 1 Device
o Dumb Network Device
Infrastructure
o Causes increased network collision
- Wireless network that uses a wireless access errors
point (WAP) as its central connecting device. - Much less efficient than a Switch.
- Infrastructure wireless networks (WLANs) are - Legacy Equipment no longer used.
commonly used in homes and small offices.

Switches
Mesh
- Connects devices together just like a Hub
- Just like a wired mesh design, wireless mesh - Intelligent Network Device (OSI Layer 2)
networks utilize several wireless access points memorizes the MAC Address of each device
(nodes) to create a robust wireless network connected to it via a MAC Address Table,
that is: sometimes called a Content Addressable
o Scalable Self – Healing Memory (CAM) Table.
o Reliable (Redundancy) - Pays attention to Source and Destination MAC
- Common in larger homes and businesses Addresses during communication process.
- Use Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry
(ASIC), which makes them extremely fast.
- Breaks up collision domains.
- Traffic goes in one port and is repeated out to
only destination port.
- Designed for high bandwidth.
- Standard in today’s Network Infrastructure.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

- The network adapter installed on your

network device.
- Provides the physical and electrical, light or
radio frequency connections to the network
media.
- It can either be an expansion card, USB
devices or built directly into the motherboard.
Wireless Access Point (WAP)

- It is a bridge that extends the wired network

to the wireless network
- Just like a switch, it’s a Data Link Layer 2
Small Office Home Office (SOHO) Device
device.
- Note: A WAP is not a router - All-in-One Wireless Router with Expanded
Capabilities:
o Router, Wireless Access Point,
Firewall, Switch, DHCP Server, NAT
Device, File Server, etc.

Wireless Range Extender

Media Converters
- Extends the range of a wireless network by
acting as a wireless repeater. - Like its name implies, it converts one media
- Rebroadcasts radio frequencies from the type to another
wireless network it is associated with. - Layer 1 Device: Performs physical layer signal
conversion.
- Ethernet to fiber optic media converters are
commonly used.

Routers

- Used to connect different networks together Firewalls

- Routes traffic between networks using IP - Firewalls are the foundation of a defense-in-
Addresses depth network security strategy.
- Uses Intelligent Decisions (Routing Protocols) - They protect your network from malicious
to find the best way to get a packet of activity on the internet.
information from one network to another. - Prevent unwanted network traffic on different
- Break up broadcast domains networks from accessing your network.
- OSI Layer 3 Devices - Firewalls do this by filtering data packets that
o Layer 3 = Router go through them. They can be standalone
o Layer 2 = Switch network device or software on a computer
o Layer 1 = Hub system, meaning network-based (hardware)
or host-based (software).

Modems (Modulator/Demodulators)

- Modems modulate one signal to another, such

as analog to digital.
- For example, modulating a telephone analog
signal into a digital signal that a router can
understand.
Types of Firewalls

- Packet Filtering Firewalls

o 1st Generation & Most Basic
o Basic Filtering Rules
- Circuit-Level Firewalls
o 2nd Generation
o Monitors Valid/Invalid TCP sessions
- Application Layer 7 (NGFW) Firewalls
- 3rd Generation
- Much more advanced.

DHCP Server

- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

Server.
- Automatically assigns IP Addresses to hosts.
- Makes administering a network much easier.
- An alternative is Static IP addressing

Voice over IP (VoIP) Endpoints

- Most phone systems run over IP networks via

dedicated protocols, such as the Session
Initiation Protocol (SIP), both in-home and
office environments.
- VoIP endpoint devices are hardware devices
(phones) or software, such as Cisco Jabber,
that allows you to make phone calls.
LESSON 3: NETWORK CABLING o RG-8: Used in early 10Base5 “Thick-
net” Ethernet networks.
Types of Network Cabling
o RG-58: Used in early 10Base2 “Thin-
- Coaxial net” Ethernet networks.
- Twisted Pair o RG-59: Used for closed-circuit TV
- Fiber Optic (CCTV) networks.
- Metallic shield helps protect against
Ethernet Standards electromagnetic interference (EMI).
- Ethernet is a network protocol that controls
how data is transmitted over a LAN.
- It’s referred to as the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 Standard.
- It supports networks built with coaxial,
Coaxial Cable Connectors
twisted-pair, and fiber-optic cabling.
- The original Ethernet standard supported - F-Connector
10mbps speeds, but the latest supports much o Screw-on connection
faster gigabit speeds. o RG-6 Cable TV and Broadband Cable
- Ethernet uses CSMA/CD & CSMA/CA access Applications
methodology. - BNC Connector
o Tension spring twist-on connection
Ethernet N < Signaling > -X Naming
RG-8 “Thick-net” and RG-58 “Thin-
- Ethernet uses an “xx Base T” naming net” network applications.
convention: 10Base-T
Twisted Pair Copper Network Cabling
o N: Signaling Rate, i.e., Speed of the
cable. - 4 twisted pairs of wires with RJ-45 Connector
o <Signaling>: Signaling Type: Baseband - Balanced pair operation
(Base) communication. o +& -Signal Equal &
o X: Type of cable (twisted pair of fiber). o Opposite Signal
- Why are they twisted?
Twisted Pair Standards
o To help reduced interference
Cat Network Ethernet Speed Max. ▪ Crosstalk
Type Standard Distance ▪ Noise (Electromagnetic
Cat 3 Ethernet 10Base-T 10Mbps 100 Interference)
Fast meters
o Security concerns
Cat 5 Ethernet 100Base-TX 100Mbps 100
Gigabit meters ▪ Signal Emanations
Cat 5e Ethernet 1000Base-T 1Gbps 100 o 100 meters maximum distance
Gigabit meters ▪ Signal Attenuation
Cat 6 10 Gigabit 1000Base-T / 10Gbps 100
Ethernet 10GBase-T meters / Shielded vs. Unshielded & EMI
50 meters
Cat 6a 10 Gigabit 10GBase-T 10Gbps 100 - Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
Ethernet meters
Cat 7 10 Gigabit 10GBase-T 10Gbps 100 o More susceptible to electromagnetic
Ethernet meters interference (EMI).
Cat: Copper Cabling Standard - Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
o Less susceptible to EMI & Crosstalk (if
Coaxial Cable
each pair shielded).
- Antiquated technology used in the 1980s. - Electromagnetic Interference
Coaxial cables are rarely used today, except o The disruption of an electronic
for cable modem connections. device’s operation when it’s in the
- Categorized as Radio Grade (RG) vicinity of an electromagnetic field
o RG-6: Used for modern cable TV and caused by another electronic device
broadband cable modems. (manufacturing equipment,
microwave ovens, etc.).
Roles of Twists (Cat 6 vs. Cat 5e) Straight-Through & Crossover Cables

- Increased twist per inch: - Straight-Through Cable

o Reduces crosstalk o Connecting “Unlike” Devices
o Increases signals ▪ Computer to Switch
o Supports faster speeds ▪ Switch to Router

Other Copper Cable Connectors

RJ-11

- 4 – pin connection used for telephone

connections.

DB-9

- 9 – pin connection used for serial connections - Crossover Cable

on networking devices. o Connecting “Like” Devices
▪ Router to Router
DB-25
▪ Computer to Computer
- 25 – pin connection previously commonly
used for serial printer connections.

TIA/EIA 568A & 568B Wiring Standards

- Industry-standard that specifies the pin

arrangement for RJ-45 connectors.
- Two standards:
o 568A
Which Twisted Pairs Are Used?
o 568B
- 568B is newer and the recommended - Ethernet & Fast Ethernet
standard. o Cat 3 and Cat 5
- Either can be used o Only green and orange pairs used
- Why are standards important? o Pins 1, 2, 3, and 6
o Lower cost increase ▪ One Pair to Transmit Data (TX)
o Interoperability ▪ One Pair to Receive Data (RX)
o Easier maintenance - Gigabit & 10 Gigabit Ethernet
o Cat 5e & Faster All Four Pairs Used:
▪ Supports bi-directional data
transmission on each pair or
wires.
 - Straight Tip (ST)
Fiber Optic Cabling o BNC style connector with a half-twist
bayonet locking mechanism.
- Glass or plastic fiber that carries light
o Was used in MMF networks but not
(photons)
commonly used anymore.
o High Bandwidth: Photons travel faster
- Subsccriber Connector (SC)
than electrons
o Square connector that uses a push-
o Long Distances: Less attenuation.
pull connector similar to A/V
Immune to Electromagnetic
equipment.
Interference (EMI)
o Commonly used in MMF & SNF
o Doesn’t emanate signals
- Mech. Transfer Register Jack (MTRJ)
- Two types
o Similar to the RJ-45 connector, and
o Multi-mode Fiber (MMF)
houses two fiber optics cables.
▪ Shorter distances (LAN /
o Designed for MMF networks.
Building-to-Building)
▪ Up to 2 Kilometers Why use Fiber?
o Single-mode Fiber (SMF)
- Fiber cable is more expensive than twisted
▪ More expensive than multi-
pair, as is the equipment but you can perform
mode
much longer network cable runs with fiber.
▪ Longer distances (WAN /
o 100m versus up to 200 Kilometers
Across Town)
- So you have decreased network equipment
▪ Up to 200 Kilometers
costs
- Information Note: 9-micron Single-Mode
o Switches, routers, etc.
Fiber can travel 75 miles at 400 Gbps
- Plus fiber is:
MMF vs SMF o Immune to EMI and signal emanations
o Has lower signal attenuation
- Multi-mode Fiber (MMF)
o Making it more reliable and secure
o Many photons of light travel through
- Costs are steadily decreasing as more people
the cable at once, and bounce off the
adopt fiber.
walls, which reduces the distance and
speed. Networking Cable Selection Criteria
o Larger Core: 50 to 62.5 microns
- Cost Constrains
o What is your budget?
- Transmission Speed Requirements
o How fast does your network need to
- Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) be?
o A single direct photon of light travels o 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1Gbps, 10Gbps?
through the cable, which allows - Distance Requirements
greater distances and speed. o Electrical signals degrade relatively
o Smaller Core: 8 to 10 microns quickly (100 meters)
o Fiber can transmit over long distances
- Noise & Interference Immunity (Crosstalk,
EMI, Security)
o Interference is all around us:
Fiber Optic Cable Connectors ▪ Power cables, microwaves,
- Lucent Connector (LC) mobile phones, motors, etc.
o Small form-factor design that has a
flange on the top, similar to an RJ-45
connector.
o Commonly used in MMF & SMF
gigabit and 10-gigabit ethernet
networks.