Unit 2139: Network Routing and Switching

1. Introduction to Network Routing and Switching

• Fundamentals of data transmission in networks
• Definition and role of routing
• Definition and role of switching
• Key differences between routing and switching
• Components involved:
  • Routers
  • Switches
  • Bridges
  • Gateways

2. OSI Model and TCP/IP Model

• Overview of OSI Model
  • Seven layers explained:
    • Physical
    • Data Link
    • Network
    • Transport
    • Session
    • Presentation
    • Application
• Overview of TCP/IP Model
  • Four layers explained:
    • Network Interface
    • Internet
    • Transport
    • Application
• Relation of each layer to routing and switching functions
• Comparison and significance in network design

3. Routing Protocols

• Purpose and role of routing protocols
• Distance Vector Protocols
  • Routing Information Protocol (RIP)
    • Characteristics
    • Metric and hop count
    • Advantages and limitations
• Link State Protocols
  • Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
    • Operation and algorithm
    • Areas and hierarchy
    • Advantages
• Path Vector Protocols
  • Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
    • Role in internet routing
    • Path selection criteria
    • Characteristics
• How routing protocols determine the best path

4. Switching Technologies

• Overview of switching
• Virtual LANs (VLANs)
  • Concept and benefits
  • VLAN tagging (802.1Q)
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
  • Purpose in network loops prevention
  • Basic operation
• Port Aggregation (Link Aggregation Control Protocol - LACP)
  • Concept and benefits
  • Use cases
• Enhancing network performance and efficiency through switching

5. IP Addressing and Subnetting

• IPv4 and IPv6 addressing schemes
• Structure of IP addresses
• Subnetting fundamentals
  • Subnet masks
  • Calculating subnets and hosts
• Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR)
  • Notation and usage
• Importance of IP addressing and subnetting in routing and switching

6. Routing Tables

• Definition and function of routing tables
• Structure of routing table entries
• How routers use routing tables for packet forwarding
• Dynamic vs static routing tables
• Role of routing protocols in populating and maintaining routing tables

7. VLANs and Inter-VLAN Routing

• Deep dive into Virtual LANs
  • Network segmentation and isolation
• Benefits of VLANs
• Inter-VLAN routing
  • Need for communication between VLANs
  • Methods of inter-VLAN routing:
    • Router on a stick
    • Layer 3 switches

8. Quality of Service (QoS)

• Importance of QoS in networks
• Traffic prioritization techniques
• QoS mechanisms in routing and switching
  • Classification and marking
  • Queuing and scheduling
  • Traffic shaping and policing
• Use cases for QoS

9. Network Security in Routing and Switching

• Overview of network security principles
• Access Control Lists (ACLs)
  • Definition and implementation
  • Filtering traffic
• Firewalls
  • Role and placement in networks
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
  • Secure data transmission over public networks
• Best practices for securing routing and switching infrastructure

10. Troubleshooting Network Routing and Switching Issues

• Common issues:
  • Connectivity problems
  • Slow network performance
  • Routing loops
• Tools for troubleshooting
  • Ping
  • Traceroute
  • Network analyzers
  • Routing protocol diagnostics
• Strategies for effective problem resolution
  • Systematic approach
  • Documentation and monitoring