List of Courses
Course Catalog
Basics Courses
Basics of Telephony (Circuit-Switched) Networks [Two Days]
Prerequisite: None
Who should attend: Any employee who needs to understand the applications, functions, systems, and workings of a Telephony Network.
Description: This course describes the infrastructure of the Circuit-Switched Telephony Network. It begins with an overview of how the network evolved and how, even today, it has to be backwards-compatible with many decisions made last century. Several different methods of voice and data transmissions are described including the advances of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). The Switching, Signaling and Routing sections describe how calls are dialed and switched across today’s network and how features of the future will be integrated with these systems. Circuit-switched Virtual Private Networks are explained and their applications, which are still popular today, are examined.
The course ends with a review of the opening case study to apply information learned
Note: This course parallels the Basics of Data (Packet-Switched) Networks course for the beneficial result of easier comparisons between these two differing technologies.
- 1.Introductions
- a. Telephony Past and Present
- b. Tradeoff lessons
- c. The Curriculum-Wide Model
- d. Pac-Man Model
- e. Global Definitions/Vocabulary
- f. Case-Study Introduced
- 2.Transmission
- a. Analog and Digital Basics
- b. Circuit Multiplexing Schemes
- c. Telco Distribution “Problems”
- d. SONET/SDH and WDM
- e. Satellite Service
- f. New Services “on the horizon”
- 3.Switching
- a. Why Switching?
- b. Analog and Digital Switching
- c. PBXs versus Centrex
- d. Concentration versus Switching
- e. Types of Switches and Services
- 4.Signaling and Routing
- a. In-Band versus Out-of-band
- b. Telephone Numbering Plans
- c. Local and Global Examples
- d. Discriminating and Directing
- e. Engineering issues
- 5.Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
- a. Definition and Services
- b. Architectures and Addressing
- c. Build or Buy
- d. Standards or Proprietary
- e. Multi-vendor challenges
- 6.Case Application (Battle of Gettysburg – Revisited)
- a. Setting the Scene
- b. What services do we need?
- c. What are the alternatives?
- d. What steps do we take
- e. What to watch for
- 7.Final Assessments
Basics of Data (Packet-Switched) Networks [Two Days]
Prerequisite: None
Who should attend: Any employee who needs to understand the applications, functions, systems, and workings of a Packet-Switched Network.
Description: This course describes the infrastructure of a Packet-Switched Data Network. It begins with an overview of data networks evolution and revolution and the split focus in the early days. Various forms of data transmission are described and contrasted and differences in switching and routing are clarified. Addressing, one of the most challenging aspects to a data network, is carefully explained with clear explanations given for private and public addresses as well as globally-significant and locally-significant addresses.
The course ends with a review of the opening case study for application of information learned.
Note: This course parallels the Basics of Telephony (Circuit-Switched) Networks course for the beneficial result of easier comparisons between these two differing technologies.
- 1.Introduction and Overview
- a. From Mainframe to Desktop
- b. The Curriculum-Wide Model
- c. The Network Software Model
- d. Global Definitions/Vocabulary
- e. Case-Study Introduced
- f. Summary and Overview
- 2.Transmission
- a. Analog and Digital Basics
- b. Packet Multiplexing Schemes
- c. Fiber and Wireless for Data
- d. Telco Distribution “Problems”
- e. xDSL Product Family
- f. Cable Networks for Access
- 3.Switching
- a. Buffering and Broadcasting
- b. Layer 2 Switching: LAN/WAN
- c. Hubs, Switches, Routers, Gateways
- d. Edge Switches
- e. QoS Alternatives
- f. Core Switches (MPLS)
- 4.Signaling and Routing
- a. Addresses
- b. Routable/Non-Routable Addresses
- c. Myths of Routing
- d. Router Functions
- e. NATs and NPATs
- f. RIP, OSPF and BGP4
- 5.Virtual Private Networks
- a. Definition and Services
- b. Addressing
- c. Build or Buy
- d. QoS and SLAs
- e. Encryption versus Tunneling
- f. New competitors
- 6.Case Application
- a. Setting the Scene
- b. What services do we need?
- c. What are the alternatives?
- d. What steps do we take
- e. What to watch for
- 7.Final Assessments
Basics of Wireless (Access) Networks [Two Days]
Prerequisite: None
Who should attend: Any employee who needs to understand the applications, functions, systems, and workings of a Wireless (Access) Network
Description: This course describes the infrastructure of a Wireless (Access) Network. It begins with an overview of wireless networks evolution and digital revolution. Various forms of voice encoding and transmission are described and contrasted (FDMA, TDMA, GSM). Public and private wireless applications are described along with their strengths and weaknesses. Fixed and mobile networks are also examined with careful attention paid to the impact on available bandwidth. Emerging and future applications are described so that the student knows the various alternatives that are being considered.
- 1.Wireless Overview
- a. Setting the Scene
- b. What services do we need?
- c. What are the alternatives?
- d. What steps do we take
- e. What to watch for
- 2.Analog Systems (1st Generation)
- a. System Design Objectives
- b. MSAs versus RSAs
- c. Coverage and Competition Today
- d. Multiplexing Schemes
- 3.PCS/Digital Systems (2nd Generation)
- a. System Design Objectives
- b. BTAs versus MTAs
- c. New Coverage Plans
- d. Different Competitive Sets
- e. New Multiplexing Schemes
- 4.The Interim Step (named 2.5 Generation)
- a. System Design Objectives
- b. Overlaid systems
- c. Evolutionary Coverage and Competition
- d. GSM makes it’s North American move
- 5.Third Generation (3G)
- a. System Design Objectives
- b. New Network Requirements
- c. Coverage expectations
- d. Mobility and Data Expectations
- e. What Protocols now?
- 6.Network Concerns
- a. New requirements
- b. Equipment Evolution
- c. Directions for the Future
- d. Issues to watch
- 7. Private System Alternatives
- a. Fixed Wireless Systems
- b. Mobile Wireless Systems
- 8.Newly-emerging alternatives
- a. Ideas for new offices
- b. Ideas for expanding offices
Advanced Courses
IP LANs, WANs and Network Services [Two Days]
Prerequisites: Basics of Data (Packet-Switched) Networks or comparable basic understanding of data technologies
Who should attend: Any employee who needs to understand, sell, or support the applications, functions, systems, and workings of an IP-based Data Network
Description: This course teaches the student the terms, “myths”, realities, functions and applications of an IP-based network (e.g.: Internet, Intranet, and Extranet). Since data-networking professionals expect competency in their vendors, this course will teach the precise terms and architectures of data networking (and how they’re used in sales and support activities). After learning IP Protocol Basics and how IP operates across a global network, the following sections will show IP’s use in Local Area and Wide Area Networks. Supporting technologies (access, Frame Relay, and ATM) will be explained and different service features, such as Virtual Private Networks, will be highlighted.
- 1.Introduction and Overview
- a. Mainframes versus LANs
- b. Evolution or Revolution
- c. Rosetta-Stone Chart
- d. Services By-the-Layers
- 2.Internet Protocol Basics
- a. IP Functions
- b. Addresses (Public/Private)
- c. Who’s running the Show?
- d. What’s “unreliable” about IP?
- e. Debunking the IP “myths”
- 3.Local Area Networks
- a. Applications
- b. Bus, Ring, and Star
- c. NICs and Software
- d. Hubs, Switches and Routers
- e. In-building networking
- 4.Routers and Routing
- a. Router Functions
- b. What is ‘brain cloning’?
- c. Router Security
- d. Private Addressing (NATs)
- e. Future directions
- 5.Access Alternatives
- a. Telco challenges
- b. xDSL services
- c. Fiber, SONET/SDH, WDM
- d. Cable access
- e. Wireless access
- f. Emerging access technologies
- 6.Wide Area Networks
- a. Services By-the-Layers
- b. Why not Private Lines
- c. Frame Relay & ATM
- d. IP-based alternatives
- e. IP versus ATM
- 7.Virtual Private Networks
- a. Intranets Defined
- b. The need for Extranets
- c. Tunneling versus Encapsulation
- d. Build or Buy Alternatives
- e. Quality of Service and SLAs
- 8.Course Review and Summary
IP, Networking and VPNs (Technical-Support Focus) [Two or Three Days]
Prerequisites: Basics of Data (Packet-Switched) Networks or comparable basic understanding of data technologies
Who should attend: Any employee who needs a detailed understanding of the applications, functions, systems, and workings of an IP-based Data Network
Description: This course teaches the student the details of how an IP-based network functions. The student will be taught the terms, “myths”, realities, functions and applications of an IP-based network (e.g.: Internet, Intranet, and Extranet). Since data-networking professionals expect competency in their vendors, this course will teach the precise terms and architectures of data networking (and how they’re used in design and support activities). After learning IP Protocol Basics and how IP packets are routed across a global network, the following sections will show supporting technologies (physical access, Frame Relay, and ATM) and overviews of different service features, such as Voice over IP, Network Security and Virtual Private Networks.
- 1.Introduction, Overview and Models
- a. The beginning for IP
- b. Why the intereste in IP
- c. The benefits of IP networks
- d. Network Rosetta-Stone Model
- 2.Layer 4 and Layer 3 Protocols
- a. Definitions for TCP(UDP)/IP
- b. Problems solved with IP
- c. What is “unreliable” about IP?
- d. Structure of IP headers
- e. URLs versus DDNs
- f. Assignment of IP addresses
- g. Structure of TCP (UDP) headers
- 3.Routers and Routing
- a. Routing Steps
- b. Static and Dynamic Addressing
- c. Public and Private Addressing
- d. DHCP and NATs
- e. RIP, OSPF, BGP-4
- f. TLAs, NLAs, and ISPs
- 4.Layer 2 and Layer 1 Access Protocols
- a. Layer 1 Telco “Wired” access
- b. Coax, Fiber, and Wireless (Fixed and Mobile)
- c. Frame Relay, ATM, PPP
- d. Ethernet MANs
- e. Network Services Chart completed
- 5.Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
- a. The main benefits today
- b. Five functions of a Gateway
- c. H.323 versus SIP
- d. Softwitch Overview
- 6.Network Security
- a. Where the risk IS and ISN”T
- b. Encryption and Tunneling
- c. Security Options (per layer)
- 7.Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
- a. Three cost-saving for VPNs
- b. Build or Buy
- c. Elements to a VPN