soundtraining.net - soundtraining.net | accelerated I.T. training

Description

This workshop is two information-packed days of hands-on networking basics, taught by an experienced technical trainer, using a live in-classroom network. You'll learn about cabling, network protocols (including a close-up look at TCP/IP), network devices like hubs, switches, routers, firewalls, repeaters, gateways, and more. You'll actually administer a Windows Server 2008 server and a Linux server. We'll show you how to set up peer-to-peer networking and server-based networking and you'll learn how to choose the right networking model for your situation. You'll see the critical success factors in setting up a wireless network, including the often-overlooked security features. You'll learn how to create a secure network and avoid common network security mistakes. This is the perfect computer training and network training class for new network administrators, small business owners, home networkers, or anyone who needs to get hands-on experience in computer networking. This two-day hands-on networking fundamentals training workshop will get you up to speed in a hurry with practical tools and techniques you can put to use right away to make your network run faster and more securely with fewer problems.

"Very informative. Focusing on subjects which are most important to me was very insightful."
Carolyn Deguzman, Technical Assistant
SPAWAR SYS CEN-SD
San Diego, California

Course Objectives

• Identify and describe the various components of a computer network
• Explain how the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) model works to simplify networking
• Identify and compare the different networking topologies
• Select appropriate cabling and connection options
• Configure a wireless network using basic security features
• Compare and contrast peer-to-peer networking with the client-server model
• Identify the hardware and software components that make up a local area network (LAN)
• Identify the hardware and software components that make up a wide area network (WAN)
• Understand and configure the TCP/IP protocol including planning and implementation
• Understand the concept of resource sharing and apply it in your network
• Learn network troubleshooting tools and procedures you can use right away

Certifications and Exams

This network training workshop can help prepare the student for the CompTIA Network+ exam. This computer training and network training workshop is designed, however, to provide practical tools, techniques, and information that can be put to use immediately in a real-world environment. It is not designed as a test-taker's "boot camp". Exam candidates are encouraged to visit www.comptia.org for complete exam objectives and outlines.

Who should attend?

This hands-on networking training workshop is perfect for new administrators, Network+ candidates looking for hands-on experience, for teachers and instructors wanting to brush up on technical training skills, small business owners and managers, office managers, anyone responsible for overseeing and communicating with IT consultants, and anyone who needs to better understand the basic concepts of computer networking.

Course Outline

Module One: Introduction to Networking

In this module, you'll learn where today's powerful computers and networks came from, including some of the unsung heroes of information technology. You'll examine the differences between LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks) and see when to use each one.

• Brief history of computers and networks
• What is a LAN?
• What is a WAN?
• When do you use a LAN?
• When do you use a WAN?

Module Two: Understanding the OSI Reference Model

The OSI Reference Model provides a means of understanding the fundamentals of networking. It describes how data flows across a network. When you understand the OSI Reference Model, you'll make better decisions about equipment purchases and configurations and you make fewer mistakes with your network. In this module, you'll learn what it is, how it works, and how it's significant in even the smallest network. You'll even learn clever mnemonics to help you remember each of the layers!

• Understanding each of the seven layers
• Using the OSI Reference model in network design and troubleshooting
• Mapping equipment and protocols to the appropriate layers

Module Three: Common Topologies and Connection Options

This module will help you understand how networks are connected. You'll examine the different topologies, with a focus on the most common ones. You'll see how different cabling strategies are used based on the particular needs of each network. You'll also gain a good understanding of how and when to use wireless networking, plus you'll learn the critically important warnings about wireless networking.

• Star Topology
• Bus topology
• Ring topology
• Other topologies
• Network cabling options

Module Four: Wireless networking

In module four, you'll learn about the incredible growth of wireless networking and how you can use it to improve productivity in your workplace or simplify networking in your home. You'll also learn how to choose the right wireless networking equipment and how to configure it for maximum security, avoiding the common security pitfalls often seen with wireless networks.

• Differences between 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n
• Configuring your wireless network
• How to hide your SSID from outsiders
• Using access-lists to restrict access
• Using encryption to protect your data
• Why WEP is not sufficient protection and what to use instead

Module Five: Networking Gear

In this module, you'll examine different types of networking gear. We'll actually bring several different pieces of equipment to the classroom so you can see and touch the different types of equipment. You'll understand the difference between hubs, bridges, switches, and routers and know when to use each one.

• Network Cards
• Hubs
• Bridges and Switches
• Routers
• Firewalls

Module Six: TCP/IP Protocol Basics

The TCP/IP protocol suite is the most commonly used collection of networking protocols in the world. You'll learn how it works and understand how to do a basic IP network design including subnets and private IP addresses. You'll also learn how to avoid many common mistakes in IP networks and how to troubleshoot common problems.

• Planning for your addressing needs
• Choosing the right protocols for your network
• Understanding an IP address and subnet mask
• What is the default gateway
• Configuring IP addresses on your network
• Preview of IPv6, the new Internet Protocol

Module Seven: Setting Up a Simple Peer-to-Peer Network

A peer-to-peer network is the simplest form of network. Appropriate for small offices and workgroups, a peer-to-peer network is also a great way to get an introduction to networking. You'll set up a simple Microsoft Windows peer-to-peer network in the classroom and learn how to set up file and printer sharing to take advantage of its power.

• Choosing the right protocol(s)
• Setting up a workgroup
• Sharing printers
• Sharing files

Module Eight: Name Resolution Technologies

Maybe you've noticed the DNS server settings when configuring TCP/IP on a computer or a router. In this module, you'll learn what DNS is and why it's important to you and your network. Name resolution technologies are like telephone books for networks. You may know a website by its URL, but the computers and networks know it by its IP address. Name resolution technologies translate friendly URL types of names to an IP address that can be understood by the computers and routers. You'll learn four different name resolution technologies and understand when to use each one.

• Host File
• DNS

Module Nine: Setting Up a Server-Based Network

Server-based networks are appropriate for larger offices and workgroups with more than ten users. They offer centralized control and authentication. You'll compare server-based and peer-to-peer networks, plus learn how to configure a client to log on to a Microsoft domain.

• Adding user accounts
• Creating new groups
• Adding users to groups
• The importance of managing by groups, not users
• Using a Microsoft domain for authentication
• Comparing peer-to-peer and client/server networks

Module Ten: Common Network Operating Systems

There are many different network operating systems on the market today, including the increasingly popular Linux operating system. You'll see and compare Microsoft and Linux operating systems and learn how to choose the one that's right for you.

• Windows Server 2008
• Linux
• UNIX

Module Eleven: Networking with Microsoft Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 is Microsoft's powerful server operating system. You'll learn how to set up user and group accounts, plus you'll have a chance to experiment with Active Directory and Group Policies. You'll actually see how Active Directory and Group Policies can be used for desktop management in our hands-on labs.

• Creating and managing user accounts
• Creating and managing groups
• Basics of Active Directory
• Using Group Policies for desktop management

Module Twelve: Networking with the Free Linux Operating System

Since it was first conceived in 1984, the open-source Linux operating system has grown to become a major networking and desktop technology, chosen by many organizations for its stability and increasing ease-of-use. You'll learn the basics of how to get Linux and install it, how to use Linux on your servers with Windows on your desktops, and how open-source software can save your organization thousands of dollars in licensing fees, plus you'll learn the reasons why you might not want to consider open-source software.

• How to get Linux
• Adding user accounts
• Integrating Linux and Windows
• Printing with Linux
• How open-source software can save thousands of dollars
• Why you might not want to choose open-source software

Module Thirteen: Hardware and Software Troubleshooting

Even small networks are complex beasts which occasionally fail to perform as we expect. When that happens, good network troubleshooting procedures and techniques are true lifesavers. You'll learn how to isolate and identify common network problems, how to fix them, and how to keep them from recurring.

• Troubleshooting physical problems
• Troubleshooting logical problems
• Common troubleshooting tools

Prerequisites

Students should have basic familiarity with computers running Microsoft Windows. This is a fundamentals workshop and is appropriate for those with no networking experience. More advanced students should carefully review the course outline to ensure that it meets their personal/career objectives.

Schedule

Two consecutive days

• Doors open (both days): 8:30 a.m.
• Registration (day one): 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• Morning session (both days): 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
• Lunch (on your own, both days): 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Afternoon session (both days): 12:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

There will be a fifteen minute break in the morning and afternoon sessions each day.