Essentials
of Microsoft Networking: Second Edition
Course length: 4 days
Course description
Overview: Students will learn the fundamentals of networking and the basics of
managing a network.
Prerequisites: To ensure your continued
success, students must first complete the 
Software Training courses,
Windows NT
4.0 User Orientation or Windows 98: Introduction or
have extensive equivalent knowledge,
and have a basic understanding of your computer's operating system, and
the Internet. For example, you should know how to launch an application, create
and save files, and copy files from CDs and other media. The Software Training classes, Windows 98: Introduction, and
Internet Explorer 5.x are designed to teach these skills, though they
are not required.
Delivery method: Instructor-led, group-paced, classroom-delivery
learning model with structured hands-on activities.
Benefits: Students will learn how networks are built and how to set up, configure,
and manage them.
Target student: Students enrolling in this course should be
comfortable using a computer and be familiar with the Windows 9x (98/SE/Me) user
interface. Experience troubleshooting and supporting personal computers and the
use of network resources would be helpful, though is not required.
What's next: Essentials of
Microsoft Networking: Second Edition is the first course in this series.
The Software Training course, Windows NT 4.0 System Administration, the
next class in this series, teaches student how to administer Windows NT systems.
Students who want to learn advanced features can take Windows NT Server 4.0
Advanced Server Series.
Performance-based objectives
Lesson objectives help
students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate
learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand general networking concepts,
including being able to define what computer network is, describe the
components of a network, compare the three primary network-processing
strategies, and list the components of a Microsoft network.
- Identify the layers of the OSI Reference Model
and describe the purpose of this model in relation to network
architecture.
- Compare bounded and unbounded data-transmission
media, identify media and connector types, distinguish between analog and
digital signaling, and compare baseband and
broadband transmissions—all functions of the Physical layer of the OSI
Reference Model.
- Characterize the role of network adapters in
data transmissions, describe media-access control methods, and identify
the characteristics of common network topologies—all functions of the
Physical and Data Link layers of the OSI Reference Model.
- Identify common protocols and describe their
function in a network, compare the four major network architectures, and
identify the components used in LAN expansion—all functions of the Network
layer of the OSI Reference Model.
- Consider addressing issues, segmenting process,
and connection services, describe the communication session management
process, and compare the data representation methods, including
translation types and encryption methods, used in networks—all functions
of the Transport, Session, and Presentation layers of the OSI Reference
Model.
- Identify and describe the uses of network
operating systems—all functions of the Application layer of the OSI
Reference Model.
- Recognize how the network layers communicate
using the OSI Reference Model.
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of
using network applications and printing services, identify the
implications of using network applications, print documents, and manage a
print queue in a networked environment.
- Identify the duties of a network administrator,
describe the installation process for Windows NT, create and manage
network accounts, monitor network performance, recognize the role of
network security and list ways to secure network data, and identify
methods for avoiding data loss.
- Name and classify the common technologies
associated with long-haul communication lines and remote access services.
- Describe a general troubleshooting strategy, recognize common diagnostic tools and
resources, document a network, identify common power and cabling problems
and their associated solutions.
- Recite the history and organization of the
Internet and be able to list some Internet resources valuable to a network
administrator.
- List the objectives of the Microsoft 70-058
certification exam for which this course prepares students and describe
the process by which they can become certified by Microsoft.
Course content
Lesson 1: Overview of Microsoft networking
Examining
network basics
Network
processing strategies
Overview
of Microsoft networks
Lesson 2: Introduction to the OSI Reference
Model
An
overview of the OSI Reference Model
Lesson 3: The physical media
Data-transmission
media
Unbounded
media
Signaling
Signal
transmissions
Lesson 4: Data transmission
Network
adapters
Putting
data on the cable
Network
topologies
Lesson 5: Network design
Protocols
Network
architectures
Creating
larger networks
Lesson 6: Transport, Session, and
Presentation layer services
Communication
issues
Managing
a communication session
Resolving
data representation differences
Lesson 7: Network operating system
Network
operating systems
Lesson 8: Layered communications in the OSI
Model
How
network layers communicate
Lesson 9: Network applications and printing
Implementing
network applications
Network
printing
Lesson 10: Administering a network
An
overview of the installation process
Managing
network accounts
Monitoring
network performance
Enhancing
network data security
Avoiding
data loss
Lesson 11: Wide area networks and remote
access
Long-haul
communications lines
Remote
access technologies
Lesson 12: Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
strategy
Maintaining
proper documentation
Common
troubleshooting problems
Following
troubleshooting precautions
Lesson 13: The Internet: a resource for
network administrators
The
Internet
Lesson 14: Preparing for the certification
exam
Microsoft
certification information
Exam
preparation strategies
Appendix A: Standards
IEEE
802 overview
Standards
organizations