Networking Fundamentals -

About Course

Networking Fundamentals form the backbone of every IT and cyber security course. Understanding how networks work is essential to build, secure, and troubleshoot systems. This topic introduces learners to the core concepts of data communication and connectivity.

Key Points in Networking Fundamentals:

Basics of Networking – What is a network, types of networks (LAN, WAN, MAN).
Network Devices – Router, Switch, Hub, Firewall and their roles.
IP Addressing & Subnetting – How devices identify and communicate with each other.
Protocols & Models – Introduction to OSI and TCP/IP models.
Network Topologies – Bus, Star, Ring, and Hybrid structures.
Practical Learning – Building a simple network using simulation tools like Cisco Packet Tracer.

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Course Content

Class 1: Introduction to Networking & CCNA Overview (2 hrs)

Networking basics: What is Networking? What is Internet?
Networking basics: LAN, WAN, MAN
Network devices: Router, Switch, Hub, Firewall
CCNA syllabus & exam structure overview
Cisco Packet Tracer installation & walkthrough
Building first simple network with PCs and switch

Class 2: OSI Layers (2 hrs)

Class 3: IP Addressing & Subnetting – Part 1 (2 hrs)

Theory (1 h ntroduction to IP and MAC Address (Day 3)
Use of IP and MAC Address (Day 3)
What is OUI and DI? (Day 3)
IANA, ICANN (Day 3)
IPv4(Classful Addressing) (Day 3)
Class A,B,C,D,E (Day 3)
Public IP Private IP (Day 3)
Loopback Address and APIPA (Day 3)
Default Subnet Mask (Day 3)

Class 4: IP Addressing & Subnetting – Part 2 (2 hrs)

Class 5: Transmission Media (2 hrs)

Class 6: Switching & Routing Fundamentals (2 hrs)

What is a Switch? vs. Hub vs. Router
Switching Process: how frames are forwarded using MAC address table
Collision vs Broadcast domains
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) – mapping IP to MAC
Switching Modes: Cut-through vs Store-and-Forward
VLAN basics – why VLANs are needed, isolation of traffic
Create a simple LAN with 1 switch + 4 PCs
Assign IP addresses to PCs.
Verify connectivity with ping.
Show how MAC addresses are learned (show mac address-table).
Configure 2 VLANs (e.g., VLAN 10 & VLAN 20).
Assign PCs to different VLANs → test connectivity.

Class 7 (2 Hours) – Routing Fundamentals

What is Routing? Difference between Layer 2 Switching & Layer 3 Routing
Routing Table: Destination networks, Next hop, Administrative distance
Static vs Dynamic Routing
Default Routes – when to use
Packet forwarding process (source → router → destination)
Create a network with 2 routers + 2 switches + 4 PCs.
Assign IP addresses and subnetting.
Configure router interfaces with IP addresses.
Add static routes to enable communication between networks.
Verify with ping and traceroute.
Show show ip route to check routing tables.

Networking Fundamentals

About Course

Key Points in Networking Fundamentals:

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Class 1: Introduction to Networking & CCNA Overview (2 hrs)

Networking basics: What is Networking? What is Internet?

Networking basics: LAN, WAN, MAN

Network devices: Router, Switch, Hub, Firewall

CCNA syllabus & exam structure overview

Cisco Packet Tracer installation & walkthrough

Building first simple network with PCs and switch

Class 2: OSI Layers (2 hrs)

What is OSI Layer (Day 2)

Explain 7 layers (Day 2)

Brief explaination for TCP Header (Day 2)

Brief explaination for 3 way Handshake (Day 2)

Comparison between OSI and TCP/IP Model (Day 2)

Class 3: IP Addressing & Subnetting – Part 1 (2 hrs)

Theory (1 h ntroduction to IP and MAC Address (Day 3)

Use of IP and MAC Address (Day 3)

What is OUI and DI? (Day 3)

IANA, ICANN (Day 3)

IPv4(Classful Addressing) (Day 3)

Class A,B,C,D,E (Day 3)

Public IP Private IP (Day 3)

Loopback Address and APIPA (Day 3)

Default Subnet Mask (Day 3)

Class 4: IP Addressing & Subnetting – Part 2 (2 hrs)

What is Subnetting? (Day 4)

What is FLSM and VLSM? (Day 4)

What is Subnet Mask? (Day 4)

What is CIDR? (Day 4)

Calculate FLSM for Class C Address (Day 4)

Calculate VLSM for 4-6 Network Requirement with variable Host (Day 4)

Class 5: Transmission Media (2 hrs)

Explain types of networking media

Understand and explain coaxial cables, Twisted pair cables, Fiber optic cables

Understand straight cable & crossover cable

Structured Cabling

Class 6: Switching & Routing Fundamentals (2 hrs)

What is a Switch? vs. Hub vs. Router

Switching Process: how frames are forwarded using MAC address table

Collision vs Broadcast domains

ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) – mapping IP to MAC

Switching Modes: Cut-through vs Store-and-Forward

VLAN basics – why VLANs are needed, isolation of traffic

Create a simple LAN with 1 switch + 4 PCs

Assign IP addresses to PCs.

Verify connectivity with ping.

Show how MAC addresses are learned (show mac address-table).

Configure 2 VLANs (e.g., VLAN 10 & VLAN 20).

Assign PCs to different VLANs → test connectivity.

Class 7 (2 Hours) – Routing Fundamentals

What is Routing? Difference between Layer 2 Switching & Layer 3 Routing

Routing Table: Destination networks, Next hop, Administrative distance

Static vs Dynamic Routing

Default Routes – when to use

Packet forwarding process (source → router → destination)

Create a network with 2 routers + 2 switches + 4 PCs.

Assign IP addresses and subnetting.

Configure router interfaces with IP addresses.

Add static routes to enable communication between networks.

Verify with ping and traceroute.

Show show ip route to check routing tables.

Class 8(2 Hours) – VLANs & Inter-VLAN Routing

Theory: VLAN concepts, trunk ports, router-on-a-stick, need for inter-VLAN communication.

Lab: Create 2 VLANs, assign PCs, configure trunk, set up router sub-interfaces, test ping across VLANs.

Class 9(2 Hours) – Access Control Lists

What ACLs are & why we use them

Standard vs Extended ACLs

Rules of ACL placement (inbound/outbound)

Create a simple LAN with 2 networks & a router

Apply a standard ACL to block one host from accessing another network

Apply an extended ACL to allow HTTP but block ICMP

Verify with ping and show access-lists

Class 10 – STP & RSTP

Theory: Layer 2 loops, STP (Spanning Tree Protocol), RSTP improvements, root bridge election.

Lab: Build redundant switch topology, configure STP priority, test RSTP convergence.

Class 11 – Switch Security (Port Security, DHCP Snooping)