1400 - Network+ Certification Week (5 days)

Overview

This course will provide students with the concepts and skills needed to pass the Network+ certification exam produced by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

Audience

The Network+ certification is targeted at networking technicians with 18-24 months experience in the IT industry.

Prerequisites

It is recommended, but not required, that students in the Network+ course already have A+ certification or equivalent experience.

Course Objectives

• Demonstrate understanding of basic network structure, including the characteristics of star, bus, mesh, and ring topologies, their advantages and disadvantages, the characteristics of segments and backbones
• Identify major network operating systems, the clients that best server specific network operating systems and their resources, and the directory services of the major network operating systems
• Associate IPX, IP, and NetBEUI with their functions
• Define the concept of fault tolerance and implementations thereof
• Define the layers of the OSI model and identify the protocols, services, and functions that pertain to each layer
• Recognize and describe the characteristics of various networking media and connectors
• Identify the basic attributes, purpose, and function of the following network elements:
• Full/half-duplexing
• WAN and LAN
• Server, workstation, and host
• Server-based networking and peer-to-peer networking
• Cable, NIC, and router
• Broadband and baseband
• Gateway, as both a default IP router and as a method to connect dissimilar systems or protocols
• Given an installation, configuration, or troubleshooting scenario, select an appropriate course of action if a client workstation does not connect to the network after installing or replacing a network interface card, and explain why a given action is warranted.
• Identify the use of the following network components and differences between them:
• Hubs
• MAUs
• Switching hubs
• Repeaters
• Transceivers
• Describe the following data link layer concepts
• Bridges, what they are and why they are used
• The 802 specs, including the topics covered in 802.2, 802.3, and 802.5
• The function and characteristics of MAC addresses
• Explain the following routing and network layer concepts, including
• The fact that routing occurs at the network layer
• The difference between a router and a brouter
• The difference between routable and nonroutable protocols
• The concept of default gateways and subnetworks
• The reason for employing unique network IDs
• The difference between static and dynamic routing
• Demonstrate knowledge of TCP/IP fundamentals
• Demonstrate knowledge of TCP/IP addressing and subnetting
• Demonstrate TCP/IP configuration and troubleshooting techniques
• Explain remote connectivity concepts, including PPP, SLIP, PPTP, and ISDN
• Explain the impact of environmental factors on computer networks. Given a network installation scenario, identify unexpected or atypical conditions that could either cause problems for the network or signify that a problem condition already exists
• Given a scenario involving workstation backups, select the appropriate backup technique from among the following:
• Tape backup
• Folder replication to a network drive
• Removable media
• Multi-generation
• Demonstrate awareness of the need to remove outdated or unused drivers, properties, etc. when an upgrade is successfully completed
• Explain the purpose of drive mapping, and, given a scenario, identify the mapping that will produce the desired results using Universal Naming Convention (UNC) or an equivalent feature. Explain the purpose of printer port capturing and identify properly formed capture commands, given a scenario
• Given a scenario where equipment is being moved or changed, decide when and how to verify the functionality of the network and critical applications
• Demonstrate awareness of the need to obtain relevant permissions before adding, deleting, or modifying users
• Identify the purpose and function of the following networking elements:
• Profiles
• Rights
• Procedures/policies
• Administrative utilities
• Login accounts, groups, and passwords
• Identify the kinds of test documentation that are usually available regarding a vendor's patches, fixes, upgrades, etc.
• Given a network maintenance scenario, demonstrate awareness of the following issues:
• Standard backup procedures and backup media storage practices
• The need for periodic application of software patches and other fixes to the network
• The need to install anti-virus software on the server and workstations
• The need to frequently update virus signatures
• Given an apparent network problem, determine the nature of the action required (i.e., information transfer vs. handholding vs. technical service)
• Given a scenario involving several network problems, prioritize them based on their seriousness
• Identify the following steps as a systematic approach to identifying the extent of a network problem, and, given a problem scenario, select the appropriate next step based on this approach:
• Determine whether the problem exists across the network
• Determine whether the problem is workstation, workgroup, LAN or WAN
• Determine whether the problem is consistent and replicable, and
• Use standard troubleshooting methods
• Identify the following steps as a systematic approach for troubleshooting network problems, and, given a problem scenario, select the appropriate next step based on this approach:
• Identify the exact issue
• Recreate the problem
• Isolate the cause
• Formulate a correction
• Implement the correction
• Test
• Document the problem and the solution
• Give feedback
• Identify common network troubleshooting resources
• Specify the tools that are commonly used to resolve network equipment problems. Identify the purpose and function of common network tools, including:
• Crossover cable
• Hardware loopback
• Tone generator
• Tone locator (fox and hound)