• Supporting QoS
• Classifying networks: LAN, WAN
• Packet
• Circuit
• Wired
• Wireless
• Standardizing data communications

Applying the OSI model to troubleshooting

• Executing a troubleshooting methodology
• Employing fault isolation at each layer

Encoding information

• Defining bits, bytes and packets
• Taking advantage of digital encoding

Improving efficiency with error control

• Detecting and correcting errors
• Using ACKs and feedback error correction

Identifying media types and challenges

• Selecting copper cable types, Cat-5e and better
• Benefiting from fiber optics

Employing wireless links

• Utilizing radio frequencies and bands
• Managing interference and noise

Examining 802 LAN standards

• Forwarding with MAC addresses
• 1 Mb/s to 100 GB/s
• Contrasting shared and switched LANs

Investigating Ethernet operations

• Dissecting Etherswitch operation
• Adding QoS to Ethernet
• Comparing Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching

Communicating via radio waves

• Types of Wi-Fi networks: a, b, g, n and ac
• Capitalizing on instant infrastructure and mobility

Integrating Wi-Fi operations

• Verifying accurate transmission
• Boosting speed and range with 802.11n and 802.11ac
• Providing QoS for voice and multimedia

Deploying Access Points (AP)

• Forwarding traffic via the AP
• Leveraging dual-band APs
• Utilizing Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs)

TCP/IP: A practical protocol suite

• Employing TCP for data and UDP for voice and video
• Maximizing TCP/IP's multiple applications and utilities
• Streamlining data and VoIP traffic

IP addressing and datagrams

• Increasing efficiency with addressing schemes
• Interpreting net-prefixes and subnet masks

How routers operate

• Relaying traffic with NetID and routing tables
• Discovering paths with routing protocols
• Upgrading routers for QoS

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

• Authenticating users
• Enabling VPN encrypted tunnels
• Verifying information integrity and source

Benchmarking risks and deploying countermeasures

• Analyzing threats and security requirements
• Achieving confidentiality with encryption
• Implementing L2 and L3 tunnels
• Adopting digital certificates and signatures

Ensuring LAN security

• Wi-Fi security: WPA, WPA2, 802.11i, AES
• Isolating workgroups with VLANs
• Deploying firewalls

Employing telecom circuits

• Circuit-switching data streams
• E1 and T1 leased lines

Facilitating intersite communications

• Choosing xDSL options
• LAN Extension Services (LES) and Metro-Ethernet

Selecting scalable networking services

• Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
• Software-defined networks
• Cloud computing and services