Course Outlines

1: Simple Network Design

• Understanding the Functions of Networking
  • What Is a network?
  • Common Physical Components of a Network
  • Interpreting a Network Diagram
  • Resource-Sharing Functions and Benefits
  • Network User Applications
  • Impact of User Applications on the Network
  • Characteristics of a Network
  • Physical Topologies
  • Connection to the Internet
• Understanding the Host-to-Host Communications Model
  • Understanding Host-to-Host Communications
  • OSI Reference Model
  • OSI Model Layers and Their Functions
  • Encapsulation and De-Encapsulation
  • Peer-to-Peer Communication
  • TCP/IP Suite
• Describing Ethernet Connections
  • Ethernet LAN Hardware
  • Ethernet Transceivers and Cables
  • UTP Implementation
• Describing Ethernet Communications Standards
  • Definition of a LAN
  • Components of a LAN
  • Functions of a LAN
  • Ethernet
  • Ethernet LAN Standards
  • Role of CSMA/CD in Ethernet
  • Ethernet Frames
  • Ethernet Frame Addressing
  • Ethernet Addresses
  • MAC Addresses and Binary-Hexadecimal Numbers
• Describing OSI Network Layer Addressing
  • IP Overview
  • IP Addressing
  • Public and Private IP Addresses
  • DHCP Method
  • Domain Name System
  • Using Common Host Tools to Determine the IP Address of a Host
• Describing the TCP/IP Transport Layer
  • Transport Layer Functions
  • Reliable vs. Best–Effort
  • UDP Characteristics
  • TCP Characteristics
  • TCP/IP Applications
  • Mapping Layer 3 to Layer 4
  • Mapping Layer 4 to Applications
  • Establishing a Connection with a Peer System
  • Flow Control
  • TCP Acknowledgment
  • Windowing
  • TCP Sequence Number and Acknowledgment Numbers
• Describing the Packet Delivery Process
  • Layer 1 Devices and Their Function
  • Layer 2 Devices and Their Function
  • Layer 2 Addressing
  • Layer 3 Devices and Their Function
  • Layer 3 Addressing
  • Mapping Layer 2 Addressing to Layer 3 Addressing
  • ARP Table
  • Host-to-Host Packet Delivery
  • Function of the Default Gateway
  • Using Common Host Tools to Determine the Path Between Two Hosts Across a Network

2: Switched Network Implementation

• Describing Switching
  • Understanding the Challenges of Shared LANs
  • Solving Network Challenges with Switched LAN Technology
• Describing the Packet Delivery Process
  • Layer 2 Addressing
  • Layer 3 Addressing
  • Host-to-Host Packet Delivery
• Describing Cisco NX-OS Software
  • Cisco NX-OS Software Architecture
  • Cisco NX-OS Process Recovery
• Operating Cisco NX-OS Software
  • Describing the Features of the CLI
  • Identifying the Help Functions of the CLI
  • Describing the Startup Characteristics of the Switch
  • Describing Configuration Management
• Implementing VLANs and Trunks
  • Understanding VLANs
  • Understanding Trunking with 802.1Q
  • Understanding VTP
  • Configuring VTP, Trunks, and VLANs
• Building a Redundant Switched Topology
  • Recognizing Issues of a Redundant Switched Topology
  • Resolving Issues with STP
  • Describing 802.1w RSTP
  • Describing 802.1s MSTP
  • Describing LAN Port Channels
  • Verifying LAN Port Channels

3: IP Addressing

• Describing an IP Addressing Scheme
  • Describing Routing
  • Understanding Numbering Systems
  • Constructing a Network Addressing Scheme
• Transitioning to IPv6
  • Reasons for Using IPv6
  • Understanding IPv6 Addresses
  • Assigning IPv6 Addresses
  • Strategies for Implementing IPv6

4: Routing on the Cisco Nexus Switch

• Exploring the Packet Delivery Process
  • Host-to-Host Packet Delivery
  • Cisco NX-OS Tools
• Exploring the Routing Process on Cisco Nexus Switches
  • Traditional Inter-VLAN Routing
  • Multilayer Switching
  • Routing Tables
  • Distance Vector Routing Protocols
  • Link-State Routing Protocols
• Exploring Routing Protocols on Cisco Nexus Switches
  • Routing Information Protocol
  • Open Shortest Path First
  • Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol
• Exploring ACLs on Cisco Nexus Switches
  • Understanding ACLs
  • ACL Processing
  • Configuring ACLs
  • Understanding Object Groups

Course Labs

• Lab 1-1: Using Windows Applications as Network Tools
• Lab 1-2: Observing the TCP Three-Way Handshake
• Lab 1-3: Observing Extended PC Network Information
• Lab 2-1: Connecting to Cisco Nexus Switches
• Lab 2-2: Configuring Cisco Nexus Switches
• Lab 2-3: Configuring VLANs and Trunks
• Lab 2-4: Verifying and Configuring Spanning Tree
• Lab 2-5: Configuring EtherChannel
• Lab 3-1: Converting Decimal to Binary and Binary to Decimal
• Lab 3-2: Classifying Network Addressing
• Lab 3-3: Computing Usable Subnetworks and Hosts
• Lab 3-4: Calculating Subnet Masks
• Lab 4-1: Configuring Multilayer Switching