Course Objectives

1. Introduction to Networks

• Definition and importance of networks
• Types of networks: LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN
• Network topologies (star, mesh, bus, ring, hybrid)
• Overview of network protocols and standards

2. Network Architecture and Design Principles

• OSI and TCP/IP models
• Client-server and peer-to-peer architectures
• Network design lifecycle
• Scalability, reliability, and performance considerations

3. Network Hardware and Technologies

• Routers, switches, hubs, and access points
• Network interface cards (NICs) and cables
• Wireless networking technologies (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
• Emerging hardware for 5G and IoT

4. IP Addressing and Subnetting

• IPv4 and IPv6 addressing schemes
• Subnetting and supernetting
• Network Address Translation (NAT)
• Address assignment (DHCP and static IP)

5. Routing and Switching

• Routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, BGP, EIGRP)
• VLANs and inter-VLAN routing
• Layer 2 vs. Layer 3 switching
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

6. Network Security

• Threats and vulnerabilities
• Firewalls, intrusion detection, and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
• Encryption and authentication methods

7. Wireless Network Design

• Wireless standards (802.11x)
• Site surveys and coverage planning
• Wireless security (WPA, WPA2, WPA3)
• Challenges in wireless network management

8. Network Performance Optimization

• Bandwidth management and Quality of Service (QoS)
• Traffic shaping and load balancing
• Monitoring tools and techniques (SNMP, NetFlow)
• Troubleshooting and diagnostics

9. Cloud Networking

• Fundamentals of cloud computing
• Software-defined networking (SDN)
• Network virtualization and automation
• Integrating on-premise and cloud networks

10. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

• Planning for network outages and disasters
• Backup strategies and redundancy
• High-availability systems and failover mechanisms
• Case studies on disaster recovery in networking

11. Emerging Trends in Network Design

• Internet of Things (IoT) networking
• Edge computing and fog networking
• Artificial intelligence in network management
• Quantum networking and futuristic developments

12. Case Studies and Practical Applications

• Real-world examples of network design projects
• Industry best practices and lessons learned
• Collaborative tools for network management
• Ethical considerations in network design and security