Learning concepts and applications

¶ … learnthat.com/2008/07/network-2008-tutorial / encompasses allows the reader to discover that the tutorial addresses six different areas of networking. Those six areas are of primary concern to those individuals interested in passing not only the latest version (2008) of the networking certification exam, but the 2005 version as well. The six areas of networking interest addressed by the website includes 1) technologies, 2) media and topologies, 3) devices, 4) management, 5) tools and 6) security. Since all of these areas are presumably of interest to the individual seeking certification in networking skills it is nice to know that the information is available at one easily accessible location. The tutorial's Home page also provided information regarding the concepts that would have to be understood to pass the examination.

One the Home page has been perused the reader can then click on one of following pages to learn about the different domains. Pages two and three deals with Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP). This part of the tutorial teaches how one understands the concepts of TCP and IP including a specific example concerning IP that was especially helpful. The example cited by the tutorial compared the IP to the Post Office by showing how the IP is much like the specific zip code of an address, while the PO box would be the port in the zip code. This example was very helpful in comprehending what an IP is and how it works.

Page four deals with networking protocols and provides a simple list of those protocols, their acronyms and their definitions.

It's at this point that the tutorial reminds the reader that there is one key to passing the part of the certification that deals with network protocols and the key is that the certification may include a specific question on the ports which a particular protocol works on. This is good information for the reader.

The next page deals with specific addresses used in networking, ie; internet protocol and machine access control addresses. A simple explanation as to how these addresses are created and how the addresses are employed is contained on this page. This page provides information on how addresses are created, who creates them, and how they are used to accept incoming traffic. Understanding that IP addresses are switching from a v4 to a v6 format made for interesting reading.

Page six allows the networker to understand what subnet address is being used as part of an assigned address. This page makes clear that certification does not hinge on knowing how to subnet, just on knowing what it is and why it is used. Additionally, private and internal networking was explained. It also explained the two different modes used in networking; automatic and dynamic modes.

The reader can then move on to page seven where unicast, multicast and broadcast are all explained. These are the three methods of transmitting data on the network. This page was easy to understand because of the graphics used to portray the transmission methods. On page eight the methods for transmitting data are further clarified by explaining the routing that takes place while the data is being broadcast, while page nine discusses transmitting data via wireless methods. Finally on page ten the reader can find the conclusion to the tutorial with a review of the first nine pages.