A Comprehensive Introduction to Networking

What is this course about?

This introductory course is intended to be your first exposure to networking and data communications. It is designed to provide a broad scope of knowledge together with enough practical detail to make you comfortable with the basic concepts, technology, components and design alternatives of networks.

What background do I need?

This is an introductory course, and no particular background is required. A general understanding of what computers and networks are used for in your personal and professional life will enhance your learning experience, but no prior knowledge is required.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is valuable for technical and management professionals from a wide range of backgrounds who need an introduction to networking technology and data communication systems. In particular, this course benefits managers, developers, IT staff and help desk personnel. This course is also helpful for those who need to refresh their knowledge of networking systems.

What will I be able to do when I finish this course that I may not be able to do now?

After completing this course, you are able to take a more active part in the discussion and decision-making processes in issues related to networking technology. You understand the terminology and the acronyms of data communications and the basic technological options, products and limitations for a wide range of networking applications and data communications. Most importantly, you are able to make better decisions about the technology required for your applications.

Is this a hardware or a software course?

It's both. While networks are built out of hardware, they are designed to carry digital traffic between software applications. This course covers networking systems that mix both hardware and software.

Does this course cover TCP/IP?

Yes! TCP/IP is a scalable solution for transmitting data over networks and is appropriate for any size network. In this course, you learn the key concepts of TCP/IP. You are also introduced to IP addressing and gain a thorough understanding of the role of the components within the TCP/IP suite and the relationship of TCP/IP to the Internet.

If you require more detailed coverage of TCP/IP, you may consider Course 367, TCP/IP: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, as a follow-on course.

Is this a hands-on course?

The objective of this course is to enable you to make sound decisions about networks and does not require the use of hands-on equipment. However, your knowledge will be enhanced by intensive team workshops that emulate the decisions networking professionals must make on a daily basis. Other related courses in our Networking Curriculum stress the acquisition of specific skills and involve extensive hands-on exercises.

Will I learn about wireless and wired networks?

Yes! In this course, you learn the fundamentals of wired and wireless networks and how they work as well as the basics of Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

I'm concerned about network security. How much security is covered in this course?

This course provides an overview of risks and threats to network security and effective countermeasures. By applying basic security best practices, you gain a more reliable and available networking environment.

For more in-depth coverage of network security, you may consider courses within the Learning Tree Security Curriculum. See the Security Curriculum Q&A for additional information.

How much time is spent on each topic?

What kind of workshops are in this course?

Throughout the course, group workshops and instructor-led demonstrations reinforce core networking concepts. These include:

• Estimating user and department bandwidth requirements
• Designing campus network cabling
• Analyzing the frame and packet flow for TCP/IP LANs
• Deploying wired and wireless hosts
• Scaling and selecting Ethereal LAN components
• Assigning IPs and designing subnets
• Dissecting packet structure with Wireshark
• Monitoring and connecting to WLANs
• Configuring TCP/IP on hosts and routers

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

This introductory course is the starting point for many Learning Tree Networking courses. From this course, you can take almost any of the other more specialized classes. There is minimal overlap with other courses since this course covers such a wide range of topics at an introductory level.

Follow-on courses you may consider include:

• Course 364, Switches and Routers: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, provides the skills to deploy and use switches and routers in TCP/IP networks
• In Course 367, TCP/IP: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, you learn how to configure hosts and access internetworks using TCP/IP protocols
• Course 451, Network Configuration and Troubleshooting: Hands-On, offers the skills to configure, maintain and troubleshoot multiple network configurations

The following course may also be of interest:

• Course 468, System and Network Security: A Comprehensive Introduction