Network and Infrastructure Course

Lesson 1 • Core Networking Terminology

Defines essential vocabulary including nodes, packets, bandwidth, and latency. Provides a shared language for all subsequent technical discussions.

Lesson 2 • Ports, Protocols, and Services

Maps common application protocols to their port numbers and transport mechanisms. Grounds students in how services are identified on a network.

Lesson 3 • Data Transmission Fundamentals

Explains how data moves across a network using signals, encoding, and media. Connects physical transmission to higher-layer protocols.

Lesson 4 • Network Models and Frameworks

Introduces the OSI and TCP/IP models as blueprints for understanding data communication. Establishes the layered thinking required throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Cabling Standards and Media

Covers copper, fibre, and wireless media specifications and their use cases. Connects physical infrastructure choices to performance and reliability outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Wireless Access Points and Controllers

Covers 802.11 standards, access point placement, and controller-based management. Links wireless hardware to network design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Network Interface Cards and Switches

Explains NIC operation, MAC addressing, and Layer 2 switching behaviour. Builds understanding of how local network segments are created and managed.

Lesson 4 • Routers and Layer 3 Devices

Introduces router architecture, interfaces, and basic routing decisions. Prepares students for routing protocol configuration in later chapters.

Lesson 1 • LAN Architecture and Design Principles

Introduces hierarchical network design using core, distribution, and access layers. Establishes the design framework applied throughout the chapter.

Lesson 2 • VLAN Configuration and Management

Teaches VLAN creation, port assignment, and inter-VLAN routing. Connects logical segmentation to security and traffic management benefits.

Lesson 3 • Spanning Tree Protocol

Explains STP, RSTP, and MSTP operation to prevent Layer 2 loops. Prepares students to tune and troubleshoot spanning tree in production networks.

Lesson 4 • Switch Security Features

Introduces port security, DHCP snooping, and dynamic ARP inspection. Applies security hardening directly to the LAN switching environment.

Lesson 1 • Interior Gateway Protocols

Compares OSPF, EIGRP, and RIP in terms of convergence, scalability, and configuration. Enables students to deploy and tune IGPs in enterprise environments.

Lesson 2 • Quality of Service for WAN

Applies QoS classification, marking, queuing, and shaping to WAN links. Ensures students can prioritise critical traffic across constrained connections.

Lesson 3 • WAN Connectivity Technologies

Surveys MPLS, leased lines, broadband, and cellular WAN options. Guides students in matching WAN technology to business requirements.

Lesson 4 • Routing Fundamentals and Static Routing

Reviews routing table concepts and configures static and default routes. Provides the baseline before introducing dynamic protocols.

Lesson 1 • Intrusion Detection and Prevention

Differentiates IDS and IPS deployment modes and signature vs. anomaly detection. Prepares students to position and tune detection systems in a network.

Lesson 2 • VPN Technologies and Encryption

Explains IPsec, SSL/TLS VPN, and tunnelling protocols for secure remote access. Connects encryption fundamentals to practical VPN deployment.

Lesson 3 • Network Hardening Practices

Applies device hardening, AAA, and secure management protocols to reduce attack surface. Reinforces security across all previously studied network components.

Lesson 4 • Firewalls and Access Control Lists

Covers stateless and stateful firewall operation and ACL rule construction. Teaches students to filter traffic at network boundaries effectively.

Lesson 1 • Network Address Translation

Covers static NAT, dynamic NAT, and PAT for address conservation and security. Reinforces IP addressing concepts with practical translation scenarios.

Lesson 2 • Network Management Protocols

Introduces SNMP, syslog, and NetFlow for monitoring and data collection. Prepares students for the monitoring and management chapter ahead.

Lesson 3 • Time Synchronisation with NTP

Explains NTP stratum hierarchy, client-server configuration, and authentication. Highlights the role of accurate time in logging and security correlation.

Lesson 4 • DNS Architecture and Configuration

Covers DNS hierarchy, record types, zone transfers, and resolver behaviour. Enables students to deploy and troubleshoot name resolution services.

Lesson 1 • Diagnostic Tools and Commands

Covers ping, traceroute, nslookup, netstat, and packet capture tools. Connects command-line proficiency to rapid fault isolation.

Lesson 2 • Troubleshooting Methodologies

Introduces top-down, bottom-up, and divide-and-conquer troubleshooting models. Establishes a repeatable process for diagnosing any network problem.

Lesson 3 • Log Analysis and Event Correlation

Teaches syslog collection, filtering, and correlation to identify root causes. Integrates logging infrastructure with security and operational workflows.

Lesson 4 • Network Performance Monitoring

Deploys SNMP-based and flow-based monitoring to establish baselines and detect anomalies. Builds on network management protocols introduced in Chapter 6.

Lesson 1 • Cloud Networking Fundamentals

Explains cloud service models, virtual networks, and cloud connectivity options. Prepares students to extend enterprise networks into public cloud environments.

Lesson 2 • Data Centre Network Architecture

Introduces spine-leaf topology, east-west traffic patterns, and fabric design. Contrasts data centre design with the campus LAN models from Chapter 3.

Lesson 3 • Virtualisation and Software-Defined Networking

Covers hypervisor networking, virtual switches, and SDN controller architecture. Connects virtualisation concepts to physical infrastructure management.

Lesson 4 • Hybrid Cloud Connectivity

Covers VPN gateways, dedicated interconnects, and SD-WAN for hybrid cloud access. Integrates WAN technologies from Chapter 4 with cloud networking.