Organizations with large networks need to divide those networks up into smaller segments to improve performance and security. A network segment is represented at the Network layer by a subnet. Additionally, IPv4 uses a system of public versus private addressing that determines how hosts and networks can connect over the Internet. Understanding the features of these addressing schemes will be essential to your career in network support.
Text Lessons:
4.3.1 Classful Addressing
4.3.3 Other Reserved Address Ranges
4.3.4 IPv4 Address Scheme Design
4.3.5 Classless Inter-Domain Routing
4.3.6 Variable Length Subnet Masks
Text and Video Lessons:
4.3.2 Public vs Private Addressing (1:16 minutes)
Lab/Activity:
4.3.7 Lab: Configure IP Networks and Subnets
Quiz/Assessment:
4.3.8 Lesson Review (10 questions)
Topics Discussed:
What is the original classful IPv4 addressing scheme, and how is it relevant to modern networks?
Which address ranges are available for use on the public Internet, and which are reserved for private networks or other purposes?
How can classless addressing summarize network addresses and allow for networks with different-sized subnets?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 4.3: IP Version 4 Subnetting, and complete the 4.3.7 Lab: Configure IP Networks and Subnets , and the 10 question 4.3.8 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: February 27th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 28th, 2025
The core function of IP is to facilitate the creation of a group of logically distinct but interconnected networks, referred to as an internetwork. This means that some packets addressed to hosts on remote networks must be forwarded via one or more of the intermediate systems that establish paths between networks.
In this topic, you will identify the basic principles by which IPv4 distinguishes local and remote hosts and networks.
Text Lessons:
4.2.1 IPv4 Address Format
4.2.2 Network Masks
4.2.4 Host Address Ranges
4.2.5 Default Gateway
4.2.6 Broadcast Addresses
4.2.8 IP Interface Configuration in Linux
Text and Video Lessons:
4.2.3 Subnet Masks (1:58 minutes)
4.2.7 IP Interface Configuration in Windows (4:49 minutes)
Lab/Activity:
4.2.9 Lab: Configure IP Addresses
4.2.10 Lab: Configure IP Addresses on Mobile Devices
4.2.11 Lab: Configure IP Addresses on Linux
Quiz/Assessment:
4.2.12 Lesson Review (15 questions)
Topics Discussed:
What is the format of an IPv4 address?
How can I convert between binary and decimal representations of IPv4 addresses?
What is the purpose of a network mask, and what format can these masks take in IPv4?
What is the purpose of subnetting?
What formula is used to calculate the number of hosts per subnet?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 4.2: IP Version 4 Addressing, and complete the 4.2.9 Lab: Configure IP Addresses, 4.2.10 Lab: Configure IP Addresses on Mobile Devices, 4.2.11 Lab: Configure IP Addresses on Linux, and the 15 question 4.2.12 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: February 25th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 26th, 2025
The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite consists of complementary protocols and standards that work together to provide the functionality of the vast majority of modern networks. The Internet Protocol (IP) stands at the heart of this protocol suite, providing logical addressing and packet forwarding between different networks. In this topic, you will start to investigate the characteristics of IP by examining the structure of IPv4 packets, the format of IPv4 addresses, the differences between unicast, broadcast, multicast, and anycast addressing schemes.
Text Lessons:
4.1.2 Layer 2 vs Layer 3 Addressing and Forwarding
4.1.3 Address Resolution Protocol
4.1.4 Unicast and Broadcast Addressing
4.1.5 Multicast and Anycast Addressing
Text and Video Lesson:
4.1.1 IPv4 Datagram Header (4:35 minutes)
Lab/Activity:
4.1.6 Lab: Explore Packets and Frames
4.1.7 Lab: Explore ARP in Wireshark
Quiz/Assessment:
4.1.8 Lesson Review (10 questions)
Topics Discussed:
What headers does IPv4 use for addressing and forwarding?
What is the purpose of using logical network addressing at layer 3?
How does addressing between layer 2 and layer 3 work?
How does a host address multiple destination hosts efficiently?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 4.1: Internet Protocol Basics, and complete the 4.1.6 Lab: Explore Packets and Frames, the 4.1.7 Lab: Explore ARP in Wireshark, and the 10 question 4.1.8 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: February 24th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 25th, 2025
Ethernet switches and network adapters introduce the potential for issues at the Data Link layer and can reveal subtle cabling problems and interference at the Physical layer. Diagnosing and resolving problems gets more complex as you work up through the network stack. You need to assimilate your knowledge of both cabling types and Ethernet framing with awareness of status indicators and commands for network equipment to resolve these issues.
Text Lessons:
3.4.2 Port Status Indicators
3.4.3 Switch Show Commands
3.4.4 Interface Error Counters
3.4.5 MAC Address Table
3.4.6 Network Loop and Broadcast Storm Issues
3.4.7 Power Over Ethernet Issues
Text and Video Lessons:
3.4.1 Hardware Failure Issues (1:08 minutes)
Lab/Activity:
3.4.8 Lab: Troubleshoot Disabled Ports
3.4.9 Lab: Switching Loop
Quiz/Assessment:
3.4.10 Lesson Review (16 questions)
Topics Discussed:
How can you use the physical and logical topology to isolate a problem to a particular area of the network?
What information can you obtain from network device status lights?
Given symptoms of a particular problem, what commands should you use to gather information about an Ethernet switch’s configuration?
What are the symptoms and causes of a network loop?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 3.4: Switch Troubleshooting , and complete the 3.4.8 Lab: Troubleshoot Disabled Ports, the 3.4.9 Lab: Switching Loop and the 16 question 3.4.10 Lesson ReviewExam to complete the Section.
Assigned: February 12th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 13th, 2025
Most networks use intermediate systems to reduce cabling costs and complexity. In this topic, you will summarize the functions of hub, bridge, and switch appliances working at the Physical and Data Link layers.
A host on a network sends a frame to the hub. Which other devices on the network will see this frame?
A host on a network sends a frame to a switch. Which other devices on the network will see this frame?
What are the similarities and differences between a bridge and a switch?
What are the advantages of using switches instead of hubs?
What is the difference between a managed and an unmanaged switch?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 3.2: Ethernet Switches, and complete the 3.2.7 Lab: Install a Switch in the Rack, 3.2.8 Lab: Secure a Switch, 3.2.9 Lab: Cisco IoS Basics and the 10 question 3.2.10 Lesson ReviewExam to complete the Section.
Assigned: February 7th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 10th, 2025
As a network technician, you will frequently be involved with installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Ethernet network interfaces and transceivers. A network interface is the means by which a node is connected to the media and exchanges data with other network hosts. This involves both a physical connection to the network media and the use of a data link protocol such as Ethernet to perform addressing and framing. Understanding the properties of these components is essential for selecting appropriate products and configuring them correctly.
Text Lessons:
3.1.1 Network Interface Cards
3.1.2 Modular Transceivers
3.1.3 Transceiver Mismatch Issues
3.1.4 Transceiver Signal Strength Issues
3.1.5 Ethernet Frame Format
3.1.6 Media Access Control Address Format
Lab/Activity:
3.1.7 Compare Network Adapters
3.1.8 Lab: Select and Install a Network Adapter
3.1.9 Lab: Connect a Media Converter
Quiz/Assessment:
3.1.10 Lesson Review (15 questions)
Topics Discussed:
What is the function of a transceiver?
At which OSI layers do transceivers and network interfaces operate?
What is Ethernet framing, and how are network interfaces uniquely addressed?
What is the purpose of the cyclic redundancy check (CRC)?
What does the MAC address ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff indicate?
What are the symptoms of transceiver issues?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 3.1: Network Interfaces, and complete the 15 question 3.1.10 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: February 5th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 6th, 2025
Cabling is only one part of physical installation. There are also important considerations around installing switches, routers, access points, and servers within a site. Power, temperature, humidity, and fire risks can all adversely affect the reliability of network services. There are also security and access control factors to account for. While you might not be responsible for site design at this stage in your career, you should be able to explain the importance of these factors when performing maintenance and upgrades.
Text Lessons:
2.5.1 Rack Systems
2.5.2. Humidity and Temperature
2.5.3 Power Management
2.5.4 Fire Suppression
Lab/Activity:
None
Quiz/Assessment:
2.5.5 Lesson Review (10 questions)
Topics Discussed:
How do rack systems ensure density and security?
What considerations must be made for supplying power to run networking equipment?
What are the risks from environmental factors, and how can they be controlled?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 2.5: Physical Installation Factors, and complete the 10 question 2.5.5 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: January 27th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 28th, 2025
