DESCRIPTION
This course is the sixth course in TechOnLine's Data Networking Hardware curriculum, where data network switches are considered. The course opens with a look at the switching techniques and technologies that are employed in data switching today. How each switching technique operates and the advantages and disadvantages offered by each switching technique is investigated. The four primary switching technologies in use today to implement these switching techniques are considered where the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each of these switching technologies are taken into account. LAN switches are discussed, including the operation, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of Ethernet, token ring, and matrix LAN switches. Also under consideration are port switches, where port switching backplanes, token ring and Ethernet port switching, and how these switches can be applied in Virtual Private Networks are investigated. Port switching discussions continue to include security, fault tolerance, and scalability. This course concludes with a discussion of layer 2 and layer 3 switching, where the characteristics of layer 2 switching and layer three switching are considered. In these discussions, an example layer 3 switch is used to investigate layer 3 switch operation, strengths and weaknesses. Final consideration is given to switched network management, where discussions include software based networking monitoring tools.

PREREQUISITES
Participants in this course are expected to have computer hardware and/or software experience. Data networking experience may be limited or narrowly focused. Although some of the target audience may have in-depth knowledge of some specialized area of networking, experience with data networking and networking hardware can be limited to basic knowledge of the standard structure and functions of data networking protocol stacks, common LAN and WAN technologies, and standard data network topologies. Participants should have a basic understanding of data networking media, standard cable plant structures and the function and operation of the passive data networking hardware components that operate in the physical layer. Participants should have a basic understanding of operation and application of data link and network layer hardware devices, such as bridges, network interface cards, routers, and gateways. In addition, participants should be familiar with modular networking devices such as concentrators and network hubs. This prerequisite knowledge can be obtained through participation in TechOnLine's Computer Networking Basics, Passive Networking Devices, Data Link Devices, Upper Layer Devices, and Concentrators and Hubs courses.