Click here to see the full Course Syllabus
Learn the fundamentals of state-of-the-art network technology, including hot-performing Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. And you get complete preparation for Microsoft Certified Professional exam 70-058. With NETWORKING ESSENTIALS you learn to:

• Identify the components of a network and determine the type of network design most appropriate for a given site
• Identify the different media used in network communications, distinguish among them, and determine how to use them to connect servers and clients in a network
• Differentiate among networking standards, protocols, and access methods and determine which is most appropriate for a given network
• Recognize the primary network architectures, identify their major characteristics, and determine which is most appropriate for a proposed network
• Identify the primary functions of network operating systems and distinguish between a centralized computing environment and a client/server environment
• Determine how to implement and support the major networking components, including the server, operating system, and clients
• Propose a system for adequately securing data on a given network and protecting the system's components
• Distinguish between LANs and wide area networks (WANs) and identify the components used to expand a LAN into a WAN
• Determine how to implement modems in the larger LAN/WAN environment

Identify strategic LAN support tools and resources and determine how to use them in troubleshooting basic network problems

NOTE: This course enables you to pass the Microsoft Official Exam 70-058
and you will get a Certificate from Microsoft.

Course Length: Instruction: 20 Hours
Course Prerequisite: Windows 95
Course Fee: Regular Price: $350 - Limited Time Special Price of only $200

Also available in Self Paced Study Kit: Book + CD ROM: $125

Chapter 1 Network Orientation
                                                                         1
                       The Case Study Problem
                                                                         1
                       The Troubleshooter
                                                                         2
                       The LAN Planner
                                                                         2
                       Lesson 1: What Is Networking?
                                                                         3
                       What This Lesson Does
                                                                         3
                       Objectives
                                                                         3
                       The Concept of Networking
                                                                         4
                       Local Area Networks
                                                                         6
                       The Expansion of Networks
                                                                         6
                       Q & A
                                                                         7
                       Why Use a Network?
                                                                         8
                       Printers and Other Peripherals
                                                                         8
                       Data
                                                                         9
                       Applications
                                                                        10
                       Q & A
                                                                        11
                       Summary
                                                                        12
                       Your Next Step
                                                                        12
                       Lesson 2: The Two Major Types of Networks
                                                                        13
                       What This Lesson Does
                                                                        13
                       Objectives
                                                                        13
                       Networking Overview
                                                                        14
                       Peer-to-Peer Networks
                                                                        16
                       Size
                                                                        16
                       Cost
                                                                        16
                       Peer-to-Peer Operating Systems
                                                                        16
                       Implementation
                                                                        17
                       Where Peer-to-Peer Is Appropriate
                                                                        17
                       Peer-to-Peer Considerations
                                                                        17
                       Q & A
                                                                        19
                       Server-Based Networks
                                                                        20
                       Specialized Servers
                                                                        21
                       The Role of Software
                                                                        23
                       Server-Based Network Advantages
                                                                        24
                       Q & A
                                                                        27
                       Combination Networks
                                                                        28
                       Server Hardware Considerations
                                                                        29
                       Activity
                                                                        30
                       Lab 2: Sharing Directories
                                                                        30
                       What This Lab Does
                                                                        30
                       Objectives
                                                                        30
                       Exercise 1: Sharing a Directory
                                                                        30
                       Exercise 2: Stop Sharing a Directory
                                                                        31
                       Summary
                                                                        32
                       Your Next Step
                                                                        32
                       Lesson 3: Network Design
                                                                        33
                       What This Lesson Does
                                                                        33
                       Objectives
                                                                        33
                       Designing the Network’s Layout
                                                                        34
                       Standard Topologies
                                                                        35
                       Bus
                                                                        35
                       Q & A
                                                                        40
                       Star
                                                                        41
                       Ring
                                                                        42
                       Hubs
                                                                        44
                       Active Hubs
                                                                        44
                       Passive Hubs
                                                                        44
                       Hybrid Hubs
                                                                        45
                       Hub Considerations
                                                                        46
                       Q & A
                                                                        47
                       Variations on the Major Topologies
                                                                        48
                       Star Bus
                                                                        48
                       Star Ring
                                                                        49
                       Selecting a Topology
                                                                        50
                       Q & A
                                                                        51
                       Activity
                                                                        52
                       Summary
                                                                        52
                       Your Next Step
                                                                        52
                       Chapter 1 Review
                                                                        53
                       Checkup
                                                                        54
                       Checkup Answers
                                                                        56
                       Case Study Problem
                                                                        57
                       The Setting
                                                                        57
                       The Problem
                                                                        58
                       Your Solution
                                                                        58
                       Suggested Solution
                                                                        58
                       The Troubleshooter
                                                                        59
                       Potential Problems
                                                                        59
                       Can You Solve This Problem?
                                                                        60
                       Your Solution
                                                                        62
                       Suggested Solution
                                                                        63
                       The LAN Planner
                                                                        64
                       Choosing the Type of Network
                                                                        64
                       Choosing the Network Topology
                                                                        67
                       Choosing the Right Topology
                                                                        68
                       The LAN Planner Summary
                                                                        70

Chapter 2 Connecting Network Components
                                                                        71
                       The Case Study
                                                                        72
                       The Troubleshooter
                                                                        72
                       The LAN Planner
                                                                        72
                       Lesson 1: Network Cabling—the Physical
                       Media
                                                                        73
                       What This Lesson Does
                                                                        73
                       Objectives
                                                                        73
                       Primary Cable Types
                                                                        74
                       Coaxial
                                                                        74
                       Q & A
                                                                        84
                       Twisted-Pair Cable
                                                                        86
                       Q & A
                                                                        91
                       Fiber-Optic Cable
                                                                        92
                       Q & A
                                                                        94
                       Signal Transmission
                                                                        95
                       Baseband Transmission
                                                                        95
                       Broadband Transmission
                                                                        96
                       Q & A
                                                                        97
                       The IBM Cabling System
                                                                        98
                       IBM Cabling System
                                                                        99
                       Selecting Cabling
                                                                       100
                       Cabling Considerations
                                                                       100
                       Cable Comparison Summary
                                                                       102
                       Summary
                                                                       103
                       Your Next Step
                                                                       103
                       Lesson 2: Wireless Network Communications
                                                                       104
                       What This Lesson Does
                                                                       104
                       Objectives
                                                                       104
                       The Wireless Environment
                                                                       105
                       Wireless Capabilities
                                                                       105
                       Uses for Wireless
                                                                       105
                       Types of Wireless Networks
                                                                       106
                       Local Area Networks
                                                                       106
                       Extended Local Area Networks
                                                                       111
                       Q & A
                                                                       113
                       Mobile Computing
                                                                       114
                       Q & A
                                                                       116
                       Summary
                                                                       117
                       Your Next Step
                                                                       117
                       Lesson 3: Network Adapter Cards
                                                                       118
                       What This Lesson Does
                                                                       118
                       Objectives
                                                                       118
                       The Role of the Network Adapter Card
                                                                       119
                       Preparing the Data
                                                                       120
                       Sending and Controlling Data
                                                                       122
                       Q & A
                                                                       123
                       Configuration Options and Settings
                                                                       124
                       Interrupt (IRQ)
                                                                       125
                       Base I/O Port
                                                                       126
                       Base I/O Port Settings
                                                                       127
                       Base Memory Address
                                                                       127
                       Selecting the Transceiver
                                                                       128
                       Q & A
                                                                       129
                       Network Adapter Card Compatibility
                                                                       130
                       Data Bus Architecture
                                                                       130
                       Network Cabling and Connectors
                                                                       132
                       Q & A
                                                                       135
                       Network Performance
                                                                       138
                       Servers
                                                                       139
                       Workstations
                                                                       139
                       Specialized Network Adapter Cards
                                                                       140
                       Wireless Network Adapter Cards
                                                                       140
                       Fiber Optic Network Adapter Cards
                                                                       140
                       Remote-Boot PROMs
                                                                       140
                       Summary
                                                                       141
                       Activity
                                                                       142
                       Your Next Step
                                                                       142
                       Chapter 2 Review
                                                                       143
                       Checkup
                                                                       144
                       Checkup Answers
                                                                       146
                       Case Study Problem
                                                                       148
                       The Setting
                                                                       148
                       The Problem
                                                                       149
                       Your Solution
                                                                       149
                       Suggested Solution
                                                                       150
                       The Troubleshooter
                                                                       151
                       Two Important Troubleshooting Questions
                                                                       151
                       Cabling
                                                                       152
                       Adapter Cards
                                                                       153
                       Can You Solve This Problem?
                                                                       154
                       Your Solution
                                                                       154
                       Suggested Solution
                                                                       155
                       The LAN Planner
                                                                       157
                       Choosing Your Networking Media
                                                                       157
                       Choosing Your Network Adapter Card
                                                                       161
                       The LAN Planner Summary
                                                                       162

Chapter 3 How a Network Functions
                                                                       163
                       The Case Study Problem
                                                                       164
                       The Troubleshooter
                                                                       164
                       The LAN Planner
                                                                       164
                       Lesson 1: The OSI and 802 Networking
                       Models
                                                                       165
                       What This Lesson Does
                                                                       165
                       Objectives
                                                                       165
                       Network Communications
                                                                       166
                       The OSI Model
                                                                       167
                       A Layered Architecture
                                                                       168
                       Relationship of OSI Model Layers
                                                                       169
                       Q & A
                                                                       174
                       The 802 Project Model
                                                                       175
                       IEEE 802 Categories
                                                                       175
                       Enhancements to the OSI Model
                                                                       176
                       Q & A
                                                                       178
                       Activity
                                                                       179
                       Summary
                                                                       179
                       Your Next Step
                                                                       179
                       Lesson 2: Drivers
                                                                       180
                       What This Lesson Does
                                                                       180
                       Objectives
                                                                       180
                       The Role of Drivers
                                                                       181
                       The Network Environment
                                                                       182
                       Drivers and the OSI Model
                                                                       182
                       Drivers and the Networking Software
                                                                       183
                       Implementation
                                                                       184
                       Installing
                                                                       184
                      Configuring
                                                                       185
                       Updating
                                                                       185
                       Removing
                                                                       185
                       Q & A
                                                                       186
                       Activity
                                                                       187
                       Lab 8: Installing Network Adapter Cards
                                                                       187
                       What This Lab Does
                                                                       187
                       Objectives
                                                                       187
                       Exercise 1: Installing Network Adapter Cards
                                                                       187
                   &nb