Key components of the course include:

• Define Wide Area Network (WAN) and explain WAN concepts
• Explain types of WAN connections and technologies
• Explain terminology of WAN equipment and connections
• Explain and configure HDLC and PPP WAN connections
• Explain a route and how a router learns of routes
• Identify components of a routing table and the routes in a routing table
• Explain layer 2 forwarding, layer 3 routing, and how the two interact to deliver packets to a destination
• Configure static routes on a router to include default routes, host routes, and floating routes
• Explain types of dynamic routing protocols, what they do, and the pros and cons of each
• Configure RIP on a network
• Explain how OSPF works
• Configure OSPF on a network
• Explain OSPF hello timers, costs, and load balancing
• Configure OSPF settings on a network
• Explain issues with OSPF on multi-access networks
• Explain DR, BDR, and DROTHER roles and the OSPF election process
• Configure OSPF multi-access network settings
• Apply OSPF concepts and configuration to a network
• Troubleshoot WAN and OSPF issues
• Explain the purpose of NAT and PAT and how it operates
• Configure static NAT/PAT, dynamic NAT/PAT, and dynamic PAT using an interface’s IP address
• Apply PAT concepts and configurations to a network
• Troubleshoot NAT and PAT issues
• Explain a firewalls purpose and functions
• Explain how ACLs protect a network
• Configure standard and extended ACLs
• Apply ACL concepts and configurations to a network
• Troubleshoot issues with ACLs
• Explain network tunneling and different tunneling technologies such as GRE, MPLS, and IPsec
• Explain VPNs and DMVPNs

Become efficient in planning and configuring local infrastructures

• Implement WAN technologies such as static routes, OSPF, ACLs, and NAT
• Apply these concepts to an actual network you will be building throughout the course
• Learn troubleshooting skills to help you efficiently overcome problems

Learn it Right, Learn it Well, and Reap the Rewards

Spending the time now to fully understand how to set up WAN technologies will help you in the field and for studying more advanced topics.

Module Descriptions

Welcome and Getting Started: Prepare yourself for efficiently and successfully completing the course. You’ll get an overview of what the course is all about and what you should expect out of it.

Wide Area Networks (WANs): This module provides a foundational understanding of Wide Area Networks (WAN), focusing on essential concepts and technologies that connect geographically dispersed networks. Participants will explore different types of WAN connections, such as leased lines, MPLS, and broadband, while gaining familiarity with key terminology and equipment used in WAN setups. By the end of this module, learners will have a solid grasp of WAN fundamentals, enabling them to comprehend more advanced networking concepts and configurations.

Configuring WAN Links: In this module, participants will learn about two key WAN protocols: High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC) and Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP). The module will begin with an explanation of the characteristics, advantages, and use cases of both HDLC and PPP in WAN environments. Learners will then move on to hands-on configuration, where they will set up HDLC and PPP connections on routers

Routing: This module introduces the essentials of routing, explaining how a router learns and manages routes through both static configurations and dynamic protocols. Participants will explore the components of a routing table, including route types and metrics, and understand how these elements determine the optimal path for packet delivery. The module also covers the interaction between Layer 2 forwarding and Layer 3 routing, illustrating how these layers work together to efficiently deliver packets to their destinations.

Static Routes: In this module, participants will learn how to configure static routes on a router, focusing on three key types: default routes, host routes, and floating routes. The module provides step-by-step guidance on setting up each route type, explaining their purposes and how they influence traffic flow within a network. Participants will also gain hands-on experience configuring these routes in various scenarios, ensuring they can effectively manage network traffic and implement backup routes for redundancy.

Dynamic Routing Protocols: This module covers the various types of dynamic routing protocols, including Distance Vector, Link State, and Hybrid protocols, explaining their functions, advantages, and disadvantages. Participants will explore how these protocols automatically manage and distribute routing information within a network. The module then focuses on configuring the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) on a network, providing practical steps to implement RIP, and discussing its use cases, benefits, and limitations in dynamic routing environments.

OSPF: This module provides the basics of the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol, explaining how it operates as a Link State routing protocol to efficiently manage and distribute routing information within a network. Participants will learn about OSPF’s key features, such as link-state advertisements (LSAs) and the Dijkstra algorithm. The module includes hands-on exercises for configuring OSPF on a network.

OSPF Settings: In this module, participants will dive into advanced OSPF settings, focusing on the role of hello timers, costs, and load balancing in optimizing network performance. The module explains how OSPF hello timers impact neighbor relationships, how OSPF cost influences route selection, and how load balancing can be achieved across multiple paths. Learners will also gain practical experience configuring these OSPF settings on a network, ensuring they can fine-tune OSPF operations to meet specific network requirements.

OSPF Multi-Access Networks: This module addresses the unique challenges OSPF faces in multi-access networks, such as broadcast domains where multiple routers can form adjacencies. Participants will learn about potential issues like excessive LSA traffic and how OSPF uses the Designated Router (DR), Backup Designated Router (BDR), and DROTHER roles to manage these environments efficiently. The module will cover the OSPF election process for DR and BDR, detailing the criteria and procedures involved. Finally, learners will configure OSPF settings on multi-access networks to ensure stability and optimal performance.

Project: OSPF: This module provides practical experience in applying OSPF concepts and configurations to network environments, ensuring learners can effectively implement and manage OSPF settings for optimal performance. Participants will also focus on troubleshooting WAN and OSPF issues, using diagnostic tools and techniques to identify and resolve common problems. The module includes hands-on labs and real-world scenarios to reinforce skills in deploying OSPF and addressing connectivity or performance issues across WAN and OSPF configurations.

NAT: This module explains the purpose and operation of Network Address Translation (NAT) and Port Address Translation (PAT), detailing how these techniques facilitate private-to-public IP address mapping and enable multiple devices to share a single public IP address. Participants will learn the differences between static NAT, dynamic NAT, and dynamic PAT, and gain hands-on experience configuring each type using an interface’s IP address. The module includes practical exercises to set up NAT/PAT configurations, ensuring effective network address management and connectivity.

Project: PAT: This module focuses on applying Port Address Translation (PAT) concepts and configurations to network environments, including practical exercises to set up and manage PAT for IP address conservation and efficient resource utilization. Participants will also develop skills in troubleshooting NAT and PAT issues, using diagnostic tools and techniques to identify and resolve common problems. By the end of the module, learners will be adept at implementing and troubleshooting PAT to ensure reliable and efficient network address management.

ACLs: This module covers the purpose and functions of firewalls in network security, explaining how they act as barriers to protect networks from unauthorized access and threats. Participants will also learn about Access Control Lists (ACLs) and their role in network protection, detailing how standard and extended ACLs can be used to control and filter network traffic. The module includes hands-on configuration of both standard and extended ACLs, providing practical experience in implementing and managing these security measures to safeguard network resources.

Project: ACLs: This module focuses on applying Access Control List (ACL) concepts and configurations to real-world network scenarios, ensuring learners can effectively implement ACLs to manage and secure network traffic. Participants will also develop troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve issues with ACLs, using diagnostic tools and techniques to address common problems and optimize access control. Practical exercises will reinforce the application of ACLs and troubleshooting strategies, ensuring robust network security and efficient traffic management.

Tunneling Traffic and VPNs: This module provides an overview of network tunneling and various tunneling technologies, including Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE), Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), and IP Security (IPsec). Participants will learn how these technologies create secure and efficient pathways for data transmission across networks. The module also covers Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Dynamic Multipoint VPNs (DMVPNs), explaining their purposes, functionalities, and benefits. By the end of the module, learners will understand how to implement and configure these technologies to ensure secure and reliable network communications.

Wrap Up: Time to wrap up the course and provide any final thoughts.