Network+ Certification (Second Edition)

Course length: 5 days

Course description

Overview: Students will learn the skills and knowledge to help prepare them to take the CompTIA Network+ certification exam.

Prerequisites: To ensure your continued success, students must have a basic understanding of your computer's operating system, and the Internet. For example, you should know how to launch an application, create and save files, and copy files from CDs and other media. The Software Training classes, Windows 98: Introduction, and Internet Explorer 5.x are designed to teach these skills, though they are not required. The certification exam is targeted for computer technicians with 18 to 24 months in the IT field. A+ certification or equivalent knowledge is also recommended.

Delivery method: Instructor-led, group-paced, classroom-delivery learning model with structured hands-on activities.

Benefits: Students will learn networking technology concepts and networking practices.

Target student: Students enrolling in this course should understand personal computer concepts.

What's next: Network+ Certification is the only course in this series. Students who want to learn more about specific network operating systems can take Software Training courses, NetWare 4.11 (or 5.0): Administration, Windows NT 4.0: System Administration, or UNIX System Administration.

Performance-based objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of networking protocols and networking in general.
• Identify features of various network operating systems and the clients used to access them.
• Describe the OSI networking model and its relationship to networking components.
• Describe the network components relating to the Physical layer of the OSI model.
• Describe the function of the Data Link layer of the OSI model.
• Explain how data is transmitted over a network.
• Describe the function of the Network layer of the OSI model.
• Describe the function of the Transport layer of the OSI model.
• Describe the function of the Session layer of the OSI model.
• Explain the fundamental concepts of the TCP/IP protocol suite.
• Explain the use of TCP/IP addresses and subnets.
• Access and use a TCP/IP network.
• Describe the requirements for remote network access.
• Explain the need for and ways to implement network security and fault tolerance.
• Describe the types of information that need to be gathered prior to installing or updating a network operating system.
• Explain ways to monitor and manage a network.
• Describe a systematic approach for troubleshooting network problems.

Course content

Lesson 1: Basic Network Knowledge

Network and Internetwork Concepts

Network Topologies

Networking Strategies

Lesson 2: Servers and Clients

Network Operating System Basics

Network Clients

Directory Services

Lesson 3: Introduction to the OSI Model

Introduction to the OSI Model

Families of Protocols

Lesson 4: The Physical Media

Data-transmission Media

Unbounded Media

Signaling

Signal Transmissions

Lesson 5: The Data Link Layer

Data Link Layer Considerations

Media Access Control (MAC) and Logical Link Control (LLC)

IEEE 802 Specifications

Lesson 6: Data Transmission

Introduction to Network Connection Devices

Network Adapters

Putting Data on the Cable

Network Topologies

Bridges

Lesson 7: The Network Layer

Addresses

Internetwork Connection Devices

Routers

Lesson 8: The Transport Layer

Transport Layer Addressing Issues

The Transport Layer Segmenting Process

Transport Layer Connection Services

Lesson 9: The Session Layer

Dialog Control Modes

Managing the Session

Lesson 10: TCP/IP Fundamentals

What is TCP/IP?

The TCP/IP Protocol Suite

Lesson 11: IP Addressing, Subnetting, and Supernetting

IP Addressing

Interior Gateway Protocols

Introduction to Subnetting

Supernetting

Lesson 12: Accessing and Using a TCP/IP Network

Configuring Clients for TCP/IP Networks

TCP/IP Suite Utilities

Using TCP/IP Suite Utilities to Check Network Connectivity

Lesson 13: Remote Access Protocols

Remote Access Protocols

Examining Remote Connection Options

Dial-up Networking

Lesson 14: Network Security and Fault Tolerance

Security Models

Password Security

Data Encryption

Firewalls and Proxy Servers

System Fault Tolerance

Backing Up Data

Lesson 15: Preparing for Network Installation

Planning and Gathering Information

Environmental Issues

Networking Components and Connectors

Compatibility Issues

Lesson 16: Maintaining the Network

Network Documentation

Backup Strategies

Virus Protection

Patches and other Software Updates

Lesson 17: Troubleshooting the Network

Exploring Troubleshooting Models

Identifying Troubleshooting Tools