Basic Networking Course

Lesson 1 • The TCP/IP Model

Contrasts the TCP/IP four-layer model with OSI and explains its dominance in modern networks. Students map familiar protocols to each TCP/IP layer.

Lesson 2 • Data Transmission Basics

Explains how data is converted, segmented, and transmitted across a medium. Connects physical signal concepts to higher-layer abstractions introduced earlier.

Lesson 3 • What Is a Computer Network

Defines networks, their purpose, and real-world use cases. Anchors the chapter by establishing why networking knowledge is essential for IT professionals.

Lesson 4 • Network Types and Topologies

Covers LAN, WAN, MAN, and PAN distinctions alongside physical and logical topologies. Provides the structural vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Wireless Access Points and Controllers

Explains how access points extend wired networks wirelessly and how controllers manage multiple APs. Connects wireless hardware to the physical layer concepts covered earlier.

Lesson 2 • Cables and Transmission Media

Covers copper, fibre-optic, and wireless media with their performance characteristics. Students match media types to distance, speed, and cost requirements.

Lesson 3 • Hubs, Switches, and Bridges

Distinguishes Layer 1 hubs from Layer 2 switches and bridges by their forwarding logic. Explains why switches replaced hubs in modern Ethernet networks.

Lesson 4 • Routers and Layer 3 Devices

Introduces routers as inter-network devices operating at Layer 3. Students understand routing decisions and how routers differ from switches.

Lesson 1 • Address Assignment Methods

Covers static assignment, DHCP, and IPv6 SLAAC as mechanisms for distributing addresses. Students configure basic DHCP scopes and understand lease lifecycles.

Lesson 2 • Subnet Masks and CIDR

Explains subnet masks and Classless Inter-Domain Routing prefix notation. Students derive network addresses and broadcast addresses from a given prefix.

Lesson 3 • IPv4 Address Structure

Breaks down the 32-bit IPv4 address into network and host portions. Students read binary and dotted-decimal notation fluently after this section.

Lesson 4 • IPv6 Addressing Fundamentals

Introduces 128-bit IPv6 addressing, notation rules, and address types. Students contrast IPv6 with IPv4 and understand the motivation for the transition.

Lesson 1 • Application Layer Protocols

Surveys HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and SSH as representative application protocols. Students identify protocol ports and understand client-server communication patterns.

Lesson 2 • ICMP and Network Diagnostics

Covers ICMP message types used for error reporting and connectivity testing. Students use ping and traceroute to diagnose reachability and path issues.

Lesson 3 • DHCP Protocol Deep Dive

Examines DHCP message exchange, options, and relay agents in detail. Builds on address assignment concepts to show how DHCP operates at the protocol level.

Lesson 4 • TCP vs. UDP

Contrasts connection-oriented TCP with connectionless UDP through their headers and use cases. Students select the appropriate transport protocol for a given application.

Lesson 1 • VLAN Concepts and Design

Defines VLANs as logical broadcast domain segments and explains their security and performance benefits. Students design a VLAN scheme for a sample organisation.

Lesson 2 • Inter-VLAN Routing

Covers router-on-a-stick and Layer 3 switch methods for routing between VLANs. Students configure subinterfaces and SVIs to enable cross-VLAN communication.

Lesson 3 • Ethernet Switching Fundamentals

Reviews how switches learn MAC addresses and forward frames. Reinforces Layer 2 concepts before introducing VLAN segmentation.

Lesson 4 • Spanning Tree Protocol

Introduces STP and its variants to prevent Layer 2 loops in redundant switch topologies. Students identify root bridge election and port roles.

Lesson 1 • Link-State Routing with OSPF

Covers OSPF neighbour relationships, LSA flooding, and SPF calculation. Students configure single-area OSPF and verify adjacency formation.

Lesson 2 • Routing Table and Path Selection

Explains how routers build and consult routing tables to make forwarding decisions. Students read routing table output and identify best-path selection criteria.

Lesson 3 • Static Routing Configuration

Covers manual route entry syntax, default routes, and floating static routes. Students configure static routing for small, stable network topologies.

Lesson 4 • Routing Protocol Comparison

Compares RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP across scalability, convergence, and complexity dimensions. Students select the appropriate protocol for a given network scenario.

Lesson 1 • Encryption and VPN Basics

Introduces symmetric and asymmetric encryption, TLS, and IPsec as mechanisms for securing data in transit. Students distinguish VPN types and their appropriate use cases.

Lesson 2 • Network Authentication Methods

Covers port-based authentication, AAA frameworks, and RADIUS/TACACS+ protocols. Students configure 802.1X port authentication on a managed switch.

Lesson 3 • Firewall Types and Placement

Distinguishes packet-filtering, stateful, and next-generation firewalls by inspection depth. Students determine optimal firewall placement in a network diagram.

Lesson 4 • Access Control Lists

Explains standard and extended ACLs as packet-filtering tools on routers and switches. Students write and apply ACL rules to permit or deny specific traffic flows.

Lesson 1 • Network Documentation and Baselines

Covers network diagrams, configuration backups, and performance baselines as management essentials. Students create a basic network inventory and topology document.

Lesson 2 • Network Monitoring and SNMP

Explains SNMP architecture, MIBs, and traps for continuous device monitoring. Students configure basic SNMP on a network device and interpret collected data.

Lesson 3 • Command-Line Diagnostic Tools

Covers ping, traceroute, nslookup, netstat, and ipconfig/ifconfig for hands-on diagnosis. Students run each tool and interpret output to identify specific fault conditions.

Lesson 4 • Troubleshooting Methodology

Presents structured top-down, bottom-up, and divide-and-conquer troubleshooting approaches. Students apply a repeatable process to isolate and resolve network faults.