Unit 44 Local Area Networking Technologies

1.0  Introduction

1.1   Aim

To provide learners with an understanding of Local Area Network (LAN) technologies and the delivery of a wide range of networked services across a LAN infrastructure.

Unit abstract

LANs have become ubiquitous in all but the smallest of enterprises and their implementation has become the realm of skilled designers if the best advantage is to be made of available technology. Whist it is now the case that simple networks can often been installed by users with little previous knowledge, the design, implementation, testing and management of extended LANs requires considerable technical knowledge.

The impact of LANs across an organisation can require upskilling of staff, changes to the physical environment and changes to commercial procedures. It also requires changes to the access, security and ownership of the data which passes across the LAN. In this unit learners will understand that consideration must be given to not only the physical LAN but the organisational culture as a whole.

Learners will understand the importance of considering both physical and logical environments including network addressing, best use of media, and network segmentation. Learners will also study Quality of Service (QoS) in order to best manage the network traffic. Once a LAN is installed and operational learners will study methods of measuring and maintaining performance in a proactive manner using a range of tools.

1.2 Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit a learner will: 

LO1- Understand the impact of LAN technologies

LO2 -Be able to design LAN infrastructures

LO3- Be able to implement LAN infrastructures

LO4- Be able to manage LAN infrastructures.

2.0 Unit Indicative content:

1 Understand the impact of LAN technologies

LAN technologies: standards e.g. IEEE 802 LAN standards, IEEE 802.11 wireless standards, STP (Spanning Tree Protocol), VLANs (Virtual LAN), VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol), standby routing, ether channel, ISL (Inter Switch Link), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol); LAN hardware: e.g. layer 2 switches, layer 3 switches, layer 4 switches, wireless devices, network interfaces, client devices

Traffic intensive services: quality of service management e.g. DSCP (Differentiated Service Code Point), IP precedence, queues, base rules, 802.1q frame tagging; quality of service need e.g. Voice over IP, video streaming, audio streaming;

LAN security: security need e.g. VLANs, switch port control, ACLs (Access Control Lists), MACACL’s, MAC (Media Access Control) address filtering, wireless security, port spanning

2 Be able to design LAN infrastructures

Devices: expected average number and types of devices on system; anticipated participation Bandwidth: expected average load; anticipated peak load; cost constraint

Users: quality expectations, concept of system growth

Applications: security requirements, quality of service needs, redundancy Communications: suited to devices, suited to users, supportive of quality of service

Scalable: able to support device growth, able to support addition of communication devices, able to cope with bandwidth use and trend change

Security: device access, VLAN membership, traffic management, system monitoring

Traffic intensive services: application of rules, prioritisation

Technology: VLAN design, STP design, DHCP address allocation design, wireless infrastructure design