Networking Foundations: Wide Area Networks (WANs)

Discover how to apply your existing IP knowledge to networking. Learn how to set up WANs (wide area networks) with switches, routers, and different routing protocols.

Introduction

• Foundations of WAN technologies
• What you should know

1. WAN Technologies

• Dial-up
• DSL and ADSL
• Cable and broadband
• Leased lines
• MPLS and VPLS
• Tunnels and VPN
• Fringe WAN connection options

2. Switches

• Hubs, bridges, and switches
• Hardware specification
• Backplane speed
• Hardware redundancy
• Switching types and MAC tables
• Managed and unmanaged switches
• VLANs
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
• Security options

3. Routers

• Transmission and speed considerations
• Static vs. dynamic routing
• Routing tables
• Software routing in Windows
• Network address translation (NAT)
• Basic router security
• Firewalls and security zones
• Firewall advanced features

4. Routing Protocols

• Directly connected and static routes
• Distance vector
• Link state
• RIPv2
• OSPF
• OSPF areas
• EIGRP
• BGP

Conclusion

• Next steps