Introduction to TCP/IP (3 days)

Synopsis This course provides a complete introduction to the TCP/IP suite of protocols, as implemented on Unix and Windows systems. It goes from the "nuts and bolts" of the protocol specifications, through concepts such as subnetting and routing, up through configuration of network services. Many TCP/IP-based client/server applications are examined.
Target audience This course is appropriate for anyone who needs to understand the basic principles of TCP/IP. It is particularly suitable for network managers, programmers, and administrators.
Prerequisites Students are expected to be comfortable using computers. No previous network experience is required.
Lab exercises Students will use real-life tools to monitor and configure TCP/IP network services. Many of the labs will involve use of a packet sniffer and protocol analyzer to examine live network traffic.

Course Outline

1. An overview of TCP/IP

  • Definition of networking
  • Client/server systems
  • What is TCP/IP
  • Other protocol suites
  • History of TCP/IP
  • Protocol stacks
  • TCP/IP vs OSI
  • RFCs and other standards

    2. The physical layer

  • Definition and nomenclature
  • Ethernet/802.3
  • Specifications
  • MAC Addresses
  • Header details
  • Other technologies

    3. The Internet Layer

  • General description
  • The Internet Protocol
  • Header Layout
  • Fragmentation
  • IP Addresses
  • Address classes
  • Ipv6

    4. ICMP

  • General description
  • Header details
  • ICMP messages
  • Example: ping

    5. Subnetting

  • Basic concepts
  • Why subnet?
  • Network masks

    6. Routing

  • What is routing?
  • How does routing work?
  • CIDR
  • Bridges
  • Routers
  • Other gateways

    7. The Transport Layer

  • General description
  • Connectionless and connection-oriented applications
  • Transmission Control Protocol
  • Header details
  • Opening and closing connections
  • User Datagram Protocol
  • Header details

    8. Ports and sockets

  • Overview
  • Client vs. server ports
  • Well-known ports
  • Sockets
  • 9.

    Windows protocols
  • Overview
  • NetBios
  • NetBios over TCP/IP
  • NetBEUI
  • Routing and RAS

    10. Name Resolution

  • ARP
  • Host files
  • DNS
  • WINS

    11. Dynamic IP addresses

  • RARP/TFTP
  • BOOTP
  • DHCP
  • Dynamic IP issues

    12. Standard TCP/IP Services

  • FTP
  • Telnet
  • Web Browsers
  • E-Mail
  • File Sharing
  • X Windows
  • World wide web

    13. Unix/Linux configuration

  • Client configuration
  • Configuring services
  • Connectivity with other OSs
  • Unix tools

    14. Windows Configuration

  • Client IP configuration
  • Configuring services
  • Connectivity with other OSs.
  • Windows tools

    15. Network Management

  • Network management tools
  • SNMP
  • User Agents
  • MIBs
  • Troubleshooting tools
  • Commercial tools

    16. Troubleshooting

  • Basic connectivity
  • Routing
  • Applications
  • Common problems

    17. Security

  • Types of threads
  • Weak points
  • Security procedures
  • Intruder detection tools
  • Security policies
  • Security organizations