Ethernet 101 Hands-On Training Course

Post Views: 12,672

1-Day Instructor-Led Hands-On Lab Class
Available in either Web-Based Delivery or On-Site Delivery
Minimum 10 Students – Maximum 20 Students

Course Description

Ethernet is the foundation of nearly every modern local area network. Whether supporting enterprise networks, broadband services, data centers, or service-provider infrastructure, networking professionals need a solid understanding of how Ethernet devices communicate, how switches forward traffic, and how Layer 2 networks are organized.

The CSI-HO-009 Ethernet 101 course provides a practical introduction to Ethernet and Ethernet switching. This one-day instructor-led course is designed to build a strong foundation in Layer 2 networking while connecting Ethernet concepts to the way networks actually operate.

Students begin with the fundamentals of Ethernet, including its history, standards, relationship to the OSI model, and the different versions of Ethernet commonly encountered in networks. The course then explores Local Area Network design, network topology, cabling options, Ethernet MAC addressing, and the mechanisms Ethernet switches use to learn and forward traffic.

Students also examine one of the most important challenges in switched Ethernet networks: preventing Layer 2 loops. The course introduces Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and explains why loop prevention is essential to reliable Ethernet operation.

The course then moves into Virtual LANs (VLANs), IEEE 802.1Q encapsulation, VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), Gigabit Ethernet, and Ethernet auto-negotiation. Students gain an understanding of how VLANs create separate broadcast domains and how multiple VLANs can be transported across Ethernet links.

The final portion of the course introduces important Ethernet Quality of Service concepts and IEEE technologies associated with traffic prioritization and flow control.

Throughout the class, concepts are reinforced with hands-on exercises using Ethernet switches and student computers. The emphasis is not simply on memorizing Ethernet terminology, but on understanding how Ethernet actually works and developing skills that can be applied directly to network operations, support, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Explain the fundamental operation of Ethernet and Ethernet switching.
Understand the role of Ethernet within the OSI networking model.
Identify important Ethernet standards and technologies.
Explain the basic characteristics of a Local Area Network.
Understand common Ethernet network topologies and cabling options.
Explain Ethernet MAC address format and operation.
Describe how Ethernet switches learn and maintain MAC address information.
Understand how Ethernet switches forward frames.
Explain Ethernet broadcast domains and their importance in network design.
Describe the problems caused by Layer 2 network loops.
Explain the purpose and basic operation of Spanning Tree Protocol.
Understand the purpose and operation of Virtual LANs.
Explain IEEE 802.1Q VLAN encapsulation.
Understand the basic purpose of VLAN Trunking Protocol.
Describe important characteristics of Gigabit Ethernet.
Explain Ethernet auto-negotiation.
Understand basic Ethernet Quality of Service and traffic-prioritization concepts.
Apply Ethernet concepts through hands-on configuration and examination exercises.

The goal is to provide students with a strong practical Ethernet foundation that prepares them to support existing networks and continue into more advanced Ethernet, TCP/IP, routing, and network troubleshooting subjects.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for anyone who needs a solid understanding of Ethernet and Ethernet switching.

It is valuable for professionals working in enterprise, broadband, telecommunications, service-provider, and IT networking environments, including:

Network Operations personnel
Network Technicians
Central Office Technicians
Field Technicians
Network Support personnel
Network Administrators
Network Design Engineers
Development Engineers
Network Management personnel
Test and Quality Assurance personnel
Customer Support personnel
Technical Sales professionals
Technical Marketing professionals
Individuals pursuing networking certifications
New networking professionals and new hires
Anyone who wants to strengthen their fundamental Ethernet knowledge

The course is also appropriate for technical sales, marketing, and support professionals who need to understand how Ethernet features relate to actual network functionality.

Course Prerequisites

No previous Ethernet expertise is required.

Students will benefit from having some general familiarity with computers and networking, but the course is designed to introduce Ethernet concepts from the ground up.

Students participating in the hands-on exercises must have access to a laptop computer capable of connecting to the lab environment. If suitable computers are provided at the training location, individual student laptops may not be required.

Course Materials

Students will receive:

A comprehensive Course Student Guide
A Hands-On Lab Guide
Access to the Ethernet lab environment
Configuration and analysis exercises
Instructor-led demonstrations and practical examples

The hands-on exercises reinforce the Ethernet concepts presented during class and allow students to observe and work with actual Ethernet network behavior.

Course Outline

Part 1: Overview and Introductions

Part 2: Ethernet Protocol Basics

Basics of Ethernet Part 1
- Definition of Ethernet Technology
- Brief History
- Ethernet in the OSI Model
- Different Ethernet Versions
Basics of Ethernet Part 2
- Defining a LAN
- Topology Options
- Cabling Options
Basics of Ethernet Part 3
- Ethernet MAC Addresses
- Spanning Tree

Part 3: Advanced Ethernet Subjects

Understanding VLANs
802.1Q Encapsulation
VTP Protocol

Part 4: Gigabit Ethernet

Encapsulation
Auto-Negotiation

Part 5: Ethernet QoS

802.1D
802.1Q
802.1p
802.3x

Course Availability:

View the course calendar and browse for our schedule. It will show scheduled courses and available dates for scheduling.

CSI-HO-009 – Ethernet 101