If you do well in this course, you will be able to:
- Understand basic concepts and terminology of networking.
- Understand peer-to-peer and client-server based networks.
- Understand the major types of network topologies.
- Know the purpose of repeaters, bridges, routers, brouters, and gateways in networks.
- Know the characteristics of various physical devices used in networks, especially types of cables, connectors, interface devices - and their advantages and disadvantages.
- Know the difference between broadband and baseband transmissions.
- Describe the working and characteristics of network interface hardware and software.
- Understand and explain the OSI reference model.
- Understand and explain the IEEE 802 networking model and related standards.
- Know the structure of network packets.
- Relate the various networking protocols to the OSI reference model.
- Relate the various networking protocols to the TCP/IP protocol suite/stack.
- Know the addressing at Layers 2 and 3, especially subnet masking.
- Understand the different major networking architectures.
- Understand the basic concepts and components of a network operating system.
- Know key roles and responsibilities of a network system administrator.
- Describe the roles of modems and commercial carriers in building a network.
- Explain the basic concepts associated with wide area networking and how it differs from local area networking.
- Relate the key issues in network management.
- Relate major changes in networking resulting from the growth of the Internet.