Broadband and Fiber-Optic Training | Courses, Certifications & Degrees | NCTI

Train up.

Delivery: Online | Est. Length: 4 Seat Hours | Price: $250.00

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Course Overview

The NCTI Introduction to Protocols and Network Routing course is the gateway to understanding how the modern broadband industry functions. While physical cables carry the signal, IP routing determines where that signal goes.

This introductory course provides the essential knowledge required to contribute effectively to any communications technology company. Starting with the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Reference Model, students will deconstruct the logic of the network. You will learn the structure of IP addresses (both IPv4 and IPv6), explore how Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDN) translate to IP addresses via DNS, and master the mechanics of Subnet Masking and Multicasting.

Who Should Attend:

  • Broadband Technicians
  • Network Support Staff
  • IT Apprentices
  • Students preparing for Network+ or similar certifications
[Image of OSI model layers]

What You Will Learn

Upon completion, students will be able to describe how data packets traverse the network and identify the protocols that manage traffic flow.

Core Competencies:

  • OSI & Routing: Describe the OSI reference model layers and explain how they relate to network routing and IP structure.
  • IP Addressing: Differentiate between IPv4 and IPv6 packet structures and explain the function of the Domain Name System (DNS).
  • Subnetting: Describe the characteristics of subnet masking and how Classless Routing Protocols (CIDR) forward subnet masks to optimize address usage.
  • Data Distribution: Examine the components of IP Multicasting for efficient one-to-many communication.
  • Gateway Protocols: Discuss how gateway protocols instruct and distribute communications across different networks.
  • Transport Layer: Compare and contrast the two primary Transport Layer protocols: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) vs. UDP (User Datagram Protocol).
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Certification and Benefits

The Language of the Internet

Understanding IP routing is not an overnight process, but this course provides the foundational vocabulary needed to speak the language of network engineers.

Additional Benefits:

  • Industry Recognition: Receive the NCTI Certificate of Graduation.
  • Foundational Knowledge: Provides the prerequisite knowledge needed for advanced routing and switching training.
  • Flexible Learning: A concise 4-hour technical module available online for up to four months.

Course Outline

Module 1: Network Routing Principles

  • Examining Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (IPv4/IPv6).
  • DNS: Domain Name Systems and FQDNs.
  • Subnetting: Masking and routing logic.

Module 2: Network Protocols

  • Multicasting: IP Multicasting components.
  • Gateways: Gateway protocols and distribution.
  • Transport Layer: Explaining TCP and UDP messages.