Book Image

Networking Fundamentals

By : Gordon Davies
Book Image

Networking Fundamentals

By: Gordon Davies

Overview of this book

A network is a collection of computers, servers, mobile devices, or other computing devices connected for sharing data. This book will help you become well versed in basic networking concepts and prepare to pass Microsoft's MTA Networking Fundamentals Exam 98-366. Following Microsoft's official syllabus, the book starts by covering network infrastructures to help you differentiate intranets, internets, and extranets, and learn about network topologies. You’ll then get up to date with common network hardware devices such as routers and switches and the media types used to connect them together. As you advance, the book will take you through different protocols and services and the requirements to follow a standardized approach to networking. You’ll get to grips with the OSI and TCP/IP models as well as IPv4 and IPv6. The book also shows you how to recall IP addresses through name resolution. Finally, you’ll be able to practice everything you’ve learned and take the exam confidently with the help of mock tests. By the end of this networking book, you’ll have developed a strong foundation in the essential networking concepts needed to pass Exam 98-366.

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Table of Contents (23 chapters)
Preface
Preface
Who this book is for
What this book covers
To get the most out of this book
Get in touch
Free Chapter
1
Section 1: Network Infrastructure
Section 1: Network Infrastructure
2
Differentiating between Internets, Intranets, and Extranets
Differentiating between Internets, Intranets, and Extranets
Technical requirements
Understanding a network
Introduction to basic security features
Microsoft security zones
Summary
Questions
Further reading
3
Understanding Local Area Networks
Understanding Local Area Networks
Technical requirements
Scales of networks
Introduction to LANs
Local addressing
Wired and wireless LANs
Virtual LANs
Metropolitan area networks
Campus area networks
Personal Area Networks
Summary
Questions
Further reading
4
Understanding Wide Area Networks
Understanding Wide Area Networks
Technical requirements
Introducing WANs
Setting up a broadband connection
Leased lines
Dial-up connectivity
Understanding carrier standards
Summary
Questions
Further reading
5
Understanding Wireless Networking
Understanding Wireless Networking
Technical requirements
Understanding wireless standards
Implementing wireless topologies
Understanding wireless security
Summary
Questions
Further reading
6
Network Topologies - Mapping It All Out
Network Topologies - Mapping It All Out
Logical versus physical topology
Bus topology
Ring topology
Star topology
Mesh topology
Hybrid topology
Summary
Questions
Further reading
7
Section 2: Network Hardware
Section 2: Network Hardware
8
Switches and Switching - Forwarding Traffic on a Local Network
Switches and Switching - Forwarding Traffic on a Local Network
Technical requirements
The purpose of switches and switching
Understanding frame forwarding
Understanding switch characteristics
Summary
Questions
Further reading
9
Routers and Routing - Beyond a Single Network
Routers and Routing - Beyond a Single Network
Technical requirements
Making routing decisions
Understanding static and default routes
Understanding routing protocols
Implementing routing using Windows Server
Understanding NAT
Understanding QoS
Summary
Questions
Further reading
10
Media Types - Connecting Everything Together
Media Types - Connecting Everything Together
Technical requirements
Understanding coaxial cables and their types
Understanding twisted pair cables and their types
Understanding fiber optic cables and their types
Summary
Questions
Further reading
11
Section 3: Protocols and Services
Section 3: Protocols and Services
12
Understanding the OSI Model
Understanding the OSI Model
Technical requirements
Understanding the purpose of network models
Summary
Questions
Further reading
13
Understanding TCP/IP
Understanding TCP/IP
Technical requirements
Overview of the TCP/IP layers
Understanding the application layer
Understanding the transport layer
Understanding the internet layer
Understanding the network layer
Summary
Questions
Further reading
14
Understanding IPv4
Understanding IPv4
Technical requirements
Overview of IPv4
Understanding classful networks
Understanding subnet masks
Understanding CIDR
Assigning IP addresses to hosts
Summary
Questions
Further reading
15
Understanding IPv6
Understanding IPv6
Technical requirements
Overview of IPv6
Understanding address types
Assigning IPv6 addresses
Understanding interoperability with IPv4
Summary
Questions
Further reading
16
Understanding Name Resolution
Understanding Name Resolution
Technical requirements
Exploring DNS
The hosts file
WINS
Summary
Questions
Further reading
17
Network Services
Network Services
Technical requirements
DHCP
Firewalls
Proxy servers
Remote desktop
FTP
File server
Print server
Domain controllers
Summary
Questions
Further reading
18
Section 4: Mock Exams
Section 4: Mock Exams
19
Mock Exam 1
Mock Exam 1
20
Mock Exam 2
Mock Exam 2
21
Assessments
Assessments
Answers to end of chapter questions
Answers to mock exam questions
22
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Overview of IPv4

We have already discussed IP in a number of chapters already while touching upon some of the basics. IP addresses provide a hierarchical means of identifying devices on networks. Hierarchical in this context means that we can identify which network an IP address resides on through the use of the IP address and it's subnet mask. Don't worry if the latter term is unfamiliar to you – we will cover it in this chapter.

In this chapter, we will cover arguably one of the primary functions of this ubiquitous protocol: addressing. There are currently two main versions of IP address that are used in everyday networking:

  • IPv4
  • IPv6

In this chapter, we will focus on IPv4, and in the next chapter, we will cover IPv6.

Structure of an IPv4 address

...
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