2-Day Instructor-Led Hands-On Lab Class
Available in either Web-Based Delivery or On-Site Delivery
Minimum 10 Students – Maximum 16 Students
Course Description
Modern Ethernet networks depend on much more than basic switching. Network technicians and engineers increasingly need to understand Ethernet behavior, TCP performance, IPv4 addressing, routing, and packet-level troubleshooting as an integrated set of skills.
The CSI-HO-039 Hands-On Advanced Ethernet and TCP/IPv4 course provides a practical, in-depth examination of advanced Ethernet and TCP/IP networking. This two-day instructor-led course combines technical instruction with hands-on exercises, Cisco routing and switching systems, Wireshark, and packet capture analysis.
Students begin with a review of Ethernet fundamentals and then prepare Wireshark for the analysis work performed throughout the course. Students learn how profiles and packet captures can be used to visualize protocol behavior and make troubleshooting more systematic.
The advanced Ethernet portion of the course explores Ethernet multicast, port mirroring and SPAN, and Ethernet port security. Hands-on demonstrations allow students to examine how these functions operate and how they can be used in real networking and troubleshooting environments.
A major portion of the course focuses on TCP operation and troubleshooting. Students examine MTU and MSS, TCP sockets, segmentation, the three-way handshake, flow control, sliding windows, congestion control, Selective Acknowledgment (SACK), and TCP troubleshooting workflows. Wireshark trace analysis allows students to see these mechanisms operating directly in packet captures.
The course then moves into IPv4 addressing and subnetting, including the important relationship between IP subnets and Ethernet VLANs. Students also examine the primary differences between IPv4 and IPv6 and use dual-stack examples and packet captures to compare the two protocols.
The final portion of the course focuses on gateways, routers, and IP routing. Students examine routing concepts and the operation of OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, including demonstrations and Wireshark trace analysis of each routing protocol.
Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on understanding what the network is actually doing. Students use configuration exercises, packet captures, protocol analysis, and troubleshooting examples to connect networking theory with observable network behavior.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Strengthen their understanding of advanced Ethernet technologies and operations.
- Configure and use Wireshark profiles for Ethernet and TCP/IP analysis.
- Explain the purpose and operation of Ethernet multicast.
- Understand Ethernet port mirroring and SPAN technologies.
- Explain the purpose and operation of Ethernet port security.
- Use packet captures to examine advanced Ethernet behavior.
- Explain TCP sockets, segmentation, sequence numbers, and acknowledgments.
- Understand the relationship between MTU and TCP MSS.
- Analyze the TCP three-way handshake using Wireshark.
- Explain TCP flow control and sliding-window operation.
- Understand TCP congestion-control behavior.
- Explain the purpose and operation of Selective Acknowledgment (SACK).
- Apply a systematic TCP troubleshooting workflow.
- Analyze TCP problems using packet captures and Wireshark.
- Understand IPv4 addressing and subnetting.
- Explain the relationship between IP subnets and Ethernet VLANs.
- Identify important differences between IPv4 and IPv6.
- Examine IPv4 and IPv6 operation in a dual-stack environment.
- Explain the role of gateways and routers in Ethernet networks.
- Understand the fundamental operation of OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP.
- Analyze routing protocol behavior using Wireshark traces.
- Apply advanced Ethernet and TCP/IP knowledge through hands-on configuration and troubleshooting exercises.
The goal of this course is to move beyond simply knowing protocol terminology. Students develop the ability to observe, analyze, and troubleshoot actual Ethernet and TCP/IP network behavior.
Who Should Attend?
This course is designed for networking professionals who already understand basic Ethernet and TCP/IP concepts and want to develop stronger configuration, packet-analysis, and troubleshooting skills.
It is particularly valuable for:
- Central Office Technicians and Engineers
- Field and Line Technicians
- Network Operations personnel
- Network Support Engineers
- Network Administrators
- Ethernet and IP Network Engineers
- Network Design Engineers
- Development Engineers
- Network Management personnel
- Troubleshooting and Performance Engineers
- Technical Support personnel
- Technical Sales professionals
- Technical Marketing professionals
- Individuals pursuing networking certifications
- Networking professionals who want to strengthen their Wireshark skills
- Anyone who needs a deeper understanding of advanced Ethernet and TCP/IP operations
Because this is an advanced course, students will benefit most if they already understand basic Ethernet switching, IP addressing, and TCP/IP networking.
Course Prerequisites
Students should have a working knowledge of basic Ethernet and TCP/IP networking concepts.
Familiarity with Ethernet switching, IPv4 addressing, and general network operation is strongly recommended.
Students must have access to a laptop computer capable of connecting to the CellStream Online School of Network Sciences using a web browser and to the remote lab environment using Remote Desktop.
Students should also have Wireshark installed so they can participate fully in packet capture and trace-analysis exercises.
If suitable computers and software are provided at the training location, students may not need to bring individual laptops.
Course Materials
Students will receive a comprehensive Course Student Guide along with access to the lab systems and packet capture materials used throughout the course.
Hands-on exercises include Cisco router and switch configuration, Wireshark packet analysis, demonstrations, trace analysis, and troubleshooting exercises designed to reinforce the technical concepts presented during instruction.
Course Outline:
Section 1: Establishing The Groundwork
- Overview and Introductions
- Ethernet Protocol Fundamentals Review
Section 2: Wireshark Tool Setup and Customization
- Customizing Wireshark and Profile use
- Installation of profiles for TCP/IP, etc.
- Sample Capture File testing
Section 3: Advanced Ethernet
- Ethernet Multicast
- LAB: Multicast Experiment/Demonstration and Packet Dissection
- Ethernet Port Mirroring/SPAN Ports
- LAB: Ethernet Port Mirroring/SPAN Port Demonstration
- Ethernet Port Security
- LAB: Ethernet Port Security Demonstration
Section 4: TCP/IP
- Transmission Control Protocol
- MTU vs MSS
- TCP Sockets
- TCP Segmentation
- 3-way Handshake
- LAB: TCP Profile and 3 Way Handshake Trace Analysis
- Flow Control, Sliding Windows
- TCP Windows
- Congestion Control
- LAB: TCP Congestion and Flow Control
- Selective Acknowledgement (SACK)
- TCP Troubleshooting Workflow
- LAB: TCP Troubleshooting Example Traces/Workthroughs
Section 5: IPv4
- IPv4 Addressing
- IPv4 Subnet Addressing
- LAB: IPv4 Subnet Addressing Tool and Exercises
- Relationship between IP Subnets and VLANs
- Primary Differences Between IPv4 and IPv6
- LAB: Dual Stack Network Example/Demonstration
- LAB: IPv4 and IPv6 Profiles and Sample Trace reviews
Section 6: Gateways/Routers
- Gateway/Router Functions
- Routers Deployment options in LANs
- IP Routing Protocols
- OSPF
- LAB: OSPF Demonstration and Trace Analysis
- EIGRP
- LAB: EIGRP Demonstration and Trace Analysis
- BGP (eBGP and iBGP)
- LAB: BGP Demonstration and Trace Analysis
Course Summary, Bibliography, and Resources
Course Availability:
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Course Description, Content, Outline, and Instructional Design are Copyright ©CellStream, Inc.