NETWORK PLUS CERTIFICATION COURSE

In this course, you will find out what the Network Plus exam is all about. You will learn areas of networking technologies such as the definition of a protocol, the OSI model and its layers, the concepts of network design and implementation--such as which items are required for a network and the prerequisites for installation. We will also cover troubleshooting concepts and how-to's. Getting Network Plus certified indicates that you are competent in the specific areas tested by Network Plus. The benefits of taking this course and becoming Network Plus certified is proof of professional achievement, opportunity for advancement and the fulfillment of training requirements. 

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION

• INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKS 
• THE OPEN SYSTEMS INTERCONNECTION SPECIFICATIONS  
• NETWORKING TOPOLOGIES, CONNECTORS, AND WIRING STANDARDS 
• THE CURRENT ETHERNET SPECIFICATIONS 
• NETWORKING DEVICES 
• INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET PROTOCOL
• IP ADDRESSING  
• IP SUBNETTING, TROUBLESHOOTING IP, AND INTRODUCTION TO NAT 
• INTRODUCTION TO IP ROUTING  
• ROUTING PROTOCOLS 
• SWITCHING AND VIRTUAL LANS 
• WIRELESS NETWORKING
• AUTHENTICATION AND ACCESS CONTROL 
• NETWORK THREATS AND MITIGATION
• PHYSICAL AND HARDWARE SECURITY
• WIDE AREA NETWORKS
• TROUBLESHOOTING TOOLS
• SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TOOLS
• NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING 
• MANAGEMENT, MONITORING, AND OPTIMIZATION
  

NETWORK PLUS CERTIFICATION COURSE
“Course Outline”
​
1. INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKS  

• First Thing First: What's a Network? 
• Physical Network Topologies 
• Topology Selection, Backbones, and Segments  

2. THE OPEN SYSTEMS INTERCONNECTION SPECIFICATIONS

• Internetworking Models 
• The OSI Reference Model 
• Introduction to Encapsulation  

3. NETWORKING TOPOLOGIES, COMMECTORS, AND WIRING STANDARDS

• Physical Media 
• Cable Properties 
• Wiring Standards 
• Installing Wiring Distributions  

4. THE CURRENT ETHERNET SPECIFICATIONS

• ​Network Basics 
• Ethernet Basics 
• Ethernet at the Data Link Layer 
• Ethernet at the Physical Layer 

5. NETWORKING DEVICES

• Common Network Connectivity Devices 
• Other Specialized Devices 
• Planning and Implementing a Basic SOHO Network Using Network Segmentation 

6. INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET PROTOCOL

• Introducing TCP/IP 
• Data Encapsulation   

7. IP ADDRESSING

• IP Terminology 
• ​The Hierarchical IP Addressing Scheme 
• IPv4 Address Types
• Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) 

8. IP SUBNETTING, TROUBLESHOOTING IP, AND INTRODUCTION TO NAT

• Subnetting Basics 
• Troubleshooting IP Addressing 
• Introduction to Network Address Translation (NAT) 

9. INTRODUCTION TO IP ROUTING

• Routing Basics 
• The IP Routing Process 
• Testing Your IP Routing Understanding 
• Static and Dynamic Routing  

10. ROUTING PROTOCOLS

• Routing Protocol Basics
• Distance Vector Routing Protocols 
• Link State Routing Protocols 
• IPv6 Routing Protocols ​

11. SWITCHING AND VIRTUAL LANS

• Networking Before Layer 2 Switching
• ​Switching Services 
• Spanning Tree Protocol 
• Virtual LANs 
• VLAN Trunking Protocol 
• Two Additional Advanced Features of Switches  

12. WIRELESS NETWORKING

• Introduction to Wireless Technology 
• The 802.11 Standards 
• Comparing 802.11 Standards 
• Wireless Network Components  
• Installing a Wireless Network 
• Wireless Security

13. AUTHENTICATION AND ACCESS CONTROL

• Security Filtering 
• Managing User Account and Password Security
• User-Authentication Methods  

14. NETWORK THREATS AND MITIGATION

• Recognizing Security Threats
  
• Understanding Mitigation Techniques
• Policies and Procedures

15. PHYSICAL AND HARDWARE SECURITY

• Using Hardware and Software Security Devices
  
• Defining Firewalls
• Firewall Technologies
• Firewalls at the Application Layer vs. the Network Layer
• Scanning Services and Other Firewall Features
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems
• VPN Concentrators
• Understanding Problems Affecting Device Security

16. WIDE AREA NETWORKS

• What's a WAN?
  
• T-Series Connections
• Transmission Media
• Broadband Services
• Wireless WAN Technologies
• WAN Protocols

17. TROUBLESHOOTING TOOLS

• Protocol Analyzers
• Throughput Testers
• Connectivity Software
• Using Traceroute
• Using ipconfig and ifconfig
• Using the ping Utility
• Using the Address Resolution Protocol
• Using the nslookup Utility
• Resolving Names with the Hosts Table
• Using the Mtr Command
• Using the route Command
• Using the nbtstat Utility
• Using the netstat Utility
• Using the File Transfer Protocol
• Using the Telnet Utility​​
  

18. SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TOOLS

• Understanding Network Scanners
  
• Identifying Hardware Tools

19. NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING

• ​Narrowing Down the Problem
  
• Troubleshooting Steps
• Troubleshooting Tips

20. MANAGEMENT, MONITORING, AND OPTIMIZATION

• Managing Network Documentation
• Monitoring the Network and Optimizing Its Performance