Network Architecture Course

Lesson 1 • Data Transmission Fundamentals

Covers analog vs. digital signalling, encoding schemes, and multiplexing techniques. Connects physical-layer behaviour to higher-layer design decisions.

Lesson 2 • Core Networking Concepts and Terminology

Establishes shared vocabulary for nodes, links, protocols, and topologies. Provides the definitional foundation every subsequent chapter depends on.

Lesson 3 • The OSI and TCP/IP Reference Models

Maps the seven-layer OSI model and the four-layer TCP/IP stack, comparing their roles. Learners use these models to reason about protocol placement throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Ethernet Standards and Frame Structure

Examines IEEE 802.3 variants, frame fields, and MAC addressing. Grounds learners in the dominant Layer 2 technology before introducing switching logic.

Lesson 2 • VLAN Design and Trunking

Teaches VLAN segmentation, 802.1Q tagging, and trunk link configuration. Connects logical segmentation to security and traffic management objectives.

Lesson 3 • Link Aggregation and Redundancy

Introduces LACP-based link aggregation for bandwidth and redundancy at Layer 2. Prepares learners for high-availability switching designs.

Lesson 4 • Spanning Tree and Loop Prevention

Covers STP, RSTP, and MSTP algorithms that eliminate Layer 2 loops while maintaining redundancy. Links loop prevention to high-availability design goals.

Lesson 1 • IPv4 Addressing and Subnetting

Covers dotted-decimal notation, address classes, CIDR, and VLSM subnetting. Builds the addressing skills required for all routing and design chapters.

Lesson 2 • Interior Routing Protocols

Compares distance-vector and link-state protocols including RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP. Prepares learners to select and deploy appropriate IGPs for enterprise networks.

Lesson 3 • IPv6 Addressing and Transition

Introduces 128-bit addressing, address types, and stateless autoconfiguration. Explains dual-stack and tunnelling strategies for IPv4-to-IPv6 migration.

Lesson 4 • Routing Concepts and the Routing Table

Explains how routers build and use routing tables via static routes and dynamic protocols. Connects forwarding decisions to network reachability.

Lesson 1 • VPN Technologies for WAN Connectivity

Covers IPsec, SSL/TLS, and DMVPN for secure site-to-site and remote-access connectivity. Links VPN selection to cost, security, and performance requirements.

Lesson 2 • BGP and Inter-Domain Routing

Introduces BGP as the exterior gateway protocol governing internet routing. Explains AS numbers, path attributes, and policy-based routing decisions.

Lesson 3 • WAN Redundancy and Failover Design

Examines dual-homing, load balancing, and failover mechanisms for WAN resilience. Connects redundancy patterns to SLA and recovery-time objectives.

Lesson 4 • WAN Technologies and Service Models

Surveys leased lines, MPLS, Metro Ethernet, and broadband WAN options. Establishes the technology landscape before comparing design trade-offs.

Lesson 1 • Network Segmentation and Zero Trust

Applies micro-segmentation, VLANs, and zero-trust principles to limit lateral movement. Demonstrates how segmentation reduces blast radius of breaches.

Lesson 2 • Security Principles and Threat Landscape

Introduces CIA triad, attack surfaces, and common network threat categories. Frames security architecture as a structured response to identified risks.

Lesson 3 • Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems

Explains signature-based and anomaly-based IDS/IPS operation and placement strategies. Links detection capabilities to incident response workflows.

Lesson 4 • Firewall Design and Placement

Covers stateless and stateful firewalls, next-generation firewalls, and DMZ architecture. Connects firewall placement to traffic flow and zone trust levels.

Lesson 1 • VXLAN and Network Overlay Technologies

Introduces VXLAN encapsulation, VNIs, and EVPN control plane for overlay networks. Enables learners to extend Layer 2 segments across Layer 3 data centre fabrics.

Lesson 2 • Data Centre Design Principles

Covers availability tiers, traffic patterns, and oversubscription ratios in data centre design. Establishes the performance and reliability requirements driving architecture choices.

Lesson 3 • Load Balancing in Data Centres

Covers Layer 4 and Layer 7 load balancing, health checks, and session persistence. Links load balancer placement to application availability and scalability.

Lesson 4 • Storage Networking and Convergence

Examines Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and FCoE for storage network integration. Addresses converged network adapters and lossless Ethernet requirements.

Lesson 1 • OpenFlow and Controller Platforms

Covers OpenFlow protocol mechanics and major SDN controller platforms. Connects protocol-level control to real-world SDN deployments.

Lesson 2 • Network Programmability and APIs

Introduces REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG models for network programmability. Enables learners to interact with network devices programmatically.

Lesson 3 • SDN Architecture and Control Plane Separation

Explains the separation of control and data planes, SDN controllers, and southbound APIs. Positions SDN as the architectural shift enabling programmable networks.

Lesson 4 • Infrastructure as Code and Configuration Automation

Applies Ansible, Terraform, and templating tools to automate network configuration. Links IaC practices to consistent, repeatable network deployments.

Lesson 1 • Network Performance and Cost Optimisation

Applies traffic engineering, egress cost reduction, and caching strategies to cloud networks. Links optimisation decisions to total cost of ownership and SLA compliance.

Lesson 2 • Container and Microservice Networking

Covers Kubernetes networking model, CNI plugins, and service mesh architecture. Connects container orchestration networking to data centre and cloud designs.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Cloud Networking Strategies

Addresses inter-cloud connectivity, cloud exchange fabrics, and workload portability. Prepares learners to avoid vendor lock-in through abstracted network design.

Lesson 4 • Hybrid Cloud Connectivity Options

Examines site-to-site VPN, dedicated interconnect, and SD-WAN for hybrid cloud access. Compares options by latency, cost, and reliability requirements.