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DESCRIPTION
This course is the third course in
TechOnLine's Networking Hardware Components curriculum. This course
opens with a discussion of internetworking and the hardware used to
build large computer networks. This course
concentrates on data link layer devices such as bridges and network
interface cards. This course investigates how bridges are applied
in data networks, considers four basic bridge applications, and how
they can be combined to solve common computer network problems.
This course also considers bridge operation,
where both source routing and transparent spanning tree operations
are detailed. For each of these bridge operation methods, how these
bridges forward frames, how bridged network topologies are learned,
and how networks are structured to prevent the endless looping of
transmitted frames is considered. This course continues its
coverage of data link hardware devices by considering the structure
of both internal and external network interface cards, and the
options that are available for connection to network media. This
discussion includes network interface card connections to networked
devices, PC bus structure compatibility, and the functions and
interrelationships of network interface card components.
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 also 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. This prerequisite knowledge can
be obtained through participation in TechOnLine's Data Networking
Hardware 1: Basics and Data Networking Hardware 2: Passive Hardware
courses.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
This course is designed for hardware and
software engineers that have a need to acquire an understanding of
basic networking theory, technologies, and hardware devices. These
engineers may have expertise in software development, chip design,
and/or hardware design of computer systems and/or specific
networking hardware or applications, but want to increase their
understanding of networking hardware components, their operation,
and their interdependencies.
ESTIMATED TIME
1.5 hours
AUTHOR
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Joe is an Educational Consultant specializing
in telecommunications and data communications. He is a former
employee of Digital Equipment Corporation where he supported DEC's
Network Services Business Group. For the last 20 years Joe has
concentrated on designing, developing, and delivering network
training in the manufacturing and data processing markets.Since
1994, Joe has offered his services as an independent consultant. In
this capacity, he has designed and developed training programs for
equipment and training vendors in the computer and networking
industry. Since 1998, Joe has provided instructional design
services for TechOnLine, and is now contributing as the author of
TechOnLine's Computer Networking Hardware curriculum. Joe can be
contacted at jth@ix.netcom.com.
