This course is aimed at network system administrators who are preparing for the current CompTIA Network+ exam. Based on Windows Server 2003, this course covers the full range of skills and concepts students need to learn, such as basic networking concepts and configurations, the OSI model, working with network-related hardware, network configuration with TCP/IP, network operating system basics, fault tolerance and backup issues, and troubleshooting hardware and software problems.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Discuss basic networking concepts, including network types, network operating systems, server types, topologies, and planning in network design.
• Explain the significance of the OSI Model, label the seven layers of the OSI Model, and describe the services provided by each layer of the OSI Model.
• Discuss network adapter configuration, NDIS and ODI models, and troubleshoot network adapter problems.
• Discuss the concept of protocols and channel access methods, and discuss transport, remote access, and security protocols.
• Illustrate the basic properties, purpose, and functionality of network cabling, identify the characteristics and appropriate implementation techniques for various types of cables and connectors, and discuss Ethernet, Token Ring, and other devices.
• Discuss internetworking, describe and contrast the functions of bridges, switches, and routers, and discuss routing protocols.
• Describe the properties, benefits, and potential issues involved with POTS, ISDN, cable modem, xDSL, satellite, and wireless remote access methods, configure Windows XP/Server 2003 with a modem, establish a dial-up network connection by using Windows XP/Server2003, discuss Remote Access Service (RAS) and remote access clients, and discuss WAN connectivity.
• Discuss the environmental factors that affect computer networks, define physical and logical indicators of network trouble, identify the function of common network tools, and discuss the science of troubleshooting.
• Discuss the evolution of TCP/IP and the fundamentals of TCP/IP.
• Identify each networked system as a host under TCP/IP, determine the IP address class and default subnet mask, and configure TCP/IP on a Windows XP/Server2003 computer.
• Discuss the role of the HOSTS file, DNS, NETBIOS, LMHOSTS file, and WINS.
• Discuss the purpose of firewalls and the functionality of a proxy server.
• Identify the TCP/IP troubleshooting tools, discuss the Telnet utility, its functions, the functions the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) utility, and diagnose a problem and choose the appropriate troubleshooting tools.
• Identify Network Operating Systems (NOS) features and discuss the features of Microsoft Windows, Novell NetWare, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X Server and AppleShare IP.
• Describe the network clients that are available to connect DOS-, Windows and Macintosh-based clients to a network
• Describe Windows security models, discuss directory services planning and implementation, describe Active Directory and the new features of Active Directory in Windows Server 2003, describe the Windows NT domain model, and explain the purpose of Novell Directory Services/eDirectory and the significance of NDS/eDirectory objects and bindery emulation.
• Discuss user management and group management, identify the NTFS file system and file system security, explain shared folders and discuss Windows 2000/Server 2003 printing concepts.
• Discuss Windows 2000/Server 2003 system monitoring using Task Manager, discuss  troubleshooting using Event Viewer, and describe System Monitor and Performance Logs and Alerts.
• Discuss user and group management in NetWare, describe file system security and rights and trustee assignments, discuss user account restrictions, explain NDS/eDirectory context, discuss NetWare log files, and use MONITOR.NLM, NetWare Remote Manager, as well as other utilities to monitor and manage a NetWare server and file system.
• Discuss disk configuration, Windows-based replication, and NDS partitions and replicas, backup, and UPS.
• Discuss the necessity of applying software patches and fixes, and describe viruses and anti-virus strategies.
• Describe methods to help prioritize network problems, list the basic troubleshooting steps to be followed when working on a problem, and troubleshoot various problems that might occur on the network.

Students must be technicians with 18-24 months of experience in the IT industry. This course is designed to provide network technicians and support staff with the skills they need to plan, install, and troubleshoot a network in a corporate environment.

Students taking this course should be familiar with personal computers and the use of a keyboard and a mouse. Furthermore, this course assumes that students have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience:

• CompTIA A+ Certification: OS Technologies

Lesson 1: Basic networking concepts
Networking fundamentals
Types of servers
Topologies
Planning in network design

Lesson 2: The OSI Model
Introduction to the OSI model

Lesson 3: Network adapters
Network adapter configuration
Troubleshooting network adapter problems

Lesson 4: Introducing protocols
Introduction to protocols
Channel access methods
Transport protocols
Remote access protocols
Security protocols

Lesson 5: Network cabling and devices
Network communication methods
Cables and connectors
Coaxial and fiber optic cables
Ethernet and Token Ring devices

Lesson 6: Internetworking components
Introduction to internetworking
Introducing bridges, routers and switches

Lesson 7: Remote and WAN connectivity
Introduction to remote connectivity
Installing and configuring a modem
Remote Access Service (RAS) and remote access clients
WAN connectivity

Lesson 8: Troubleshooting hardware components
Introduction to troubleshooting
Introduction to common network tools
The science of troubleshooting

Lesson 9: TCP/IP fundamentals
Evolution of TCP/IP
TCP/IP fundamentals

Lesson 10: TCP/IP addressing and subnetting
IP addressing
Subnetting and special addressing
TCP/IP installation and configuration

Lesson 11: Name resolution
The HOSTS file and Domain Name System
NetBIOS name resolution

Lesson 12: Firewalls and proxies
Firewalls
Proxy servers

Lesson 13: Troubleshooting network connectivity
TCP/IP troubleshooting tools
Telnet
File Transfer Protocol
Troubleshooting examples

Lesson 14: Identifying network operating system features
Microsoft Windows
Novell NetWare
UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS X Server
AppleShare IP