Computer and Network Administration
Global Communications I
In this course, students will explore the fundamental concepts and technologies relating to Circuit-Switched (CS) telephone networks, Packet-Switched (PS) data networks, optical networks, and wireless communication with mobile cellular and satellites. The course will cover the evolution from traditional circuit-switched telecom networks through packet-switched digital computer networks. This course covers of standards, protocols, and methods for digital communications that relate to the topics listed above. Exercises are included throughout the course to reinforce the learning objectives.
Prerequisites
It is assumed that participants attending this course:
- Are familiar with the basic usage of a Windows computer, the Internet and a modern Web browser such Chrome or Firefox.
- Students should have a working knowledge of the basic telephony and computer networking concepts (e.g. use of landline and cellular phones, and the Internet).
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Diagram a basic model of a wired and wireless communication system
- List the attributes of different types of communications mediums
- Understand telephone numbering plans and how they are used to route circuit-switched calls throughout the global telephone network
- Describe the concept of multiplexing, and how it is used to transmit multiple analog or digital signals over a shared transmission medium
- Describe the layered model used to define computer networking protocols and connectivity
- Define the characteristics of both Ethernet and wireless standards used in Local area Networks (LANs)
- Differentiate the key aspects for both versions of the Internet Protocol (IPv4 and IPv6)
- Convert values between binary, decimal, and hexadecimal
- Understand basic concepts related to wireless communications
- Diagram the fundamental components of a mobile cellular communications
- Differentiate between the various technologies and standards used in core (backbone) networks
- Understand satellite communications and its role in global communications networks
- List examples of modern, complex, multi-technology communication networks
Schedule
Day 1 – Intro to Global Communications, and Communications Systems Fundamentals
Day 2 – Circuit-Switched and Packet-Switched Networks
Day 3 – Intro to Optical Networks and Mobile Cellular
Outline
1. Introduction to Global Communications
a. Introduction: The Changing Nature of Communications
b. Global Communications: Integration of Applications, Devices and Networks
c. Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
d. Part A: Telecommunications Systems Provide Global Communications
i. Basic Communications Model
ii. Electronic Communication Mediums
iii. Telegraph Systems
iv. Telephone Networks v. Overview of Circuit-Switched (CS) Telephone Service
vi. ITU: Global Telecommunications Standards Organization
vii. Exercise: ITU-T Recommendations – G.107
e. Part B: Wireless Communications
i. Basic Radio Communications System
ii. Development of Wireless Telegraphy
iii. ITU-Radiocommunications Sector (ITU-R)
iv. Analog Modulation Schemes: Amplitude & Frequency
v. Introduction to Satellite Communications vi. Global Communications: Routing Voice Calls
vii. Overview of Broadcasting
viii. Analog Television Broadcast Standards
ix. NTSC Color Television Standards Introduced
x. Digital Television Standards
xi. Overview of Mobile Cellular Communications: 1G through 5G Standards
xii. Exercise: Mapping Requirements for 5G Use Cases
2. Communications Systems Fundamentals
a. Originating Signals: Analog vs. Digital
b. Repeaters vs. Regenerators
c. Part A: Electromagnet Spectrum
i. Spectrum: Radio vs Optical
ii. Electromagnetic Waves Defined
iii. Sine Waves: Wavelength vs. Frequency
iv. Metric Prefixes and Symbols
v. Exercise: Metric Prefixes and Symbol Notation
vi. Frequency Bands
vii. Exercise: Wavelength vs. Frequency
d. Part B: Transmission Mediums:
i. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Copper Cables:
1. Telephone Cabling
2. Data Cabling for Local Area Networks (LANs)
ii. Shielded Copper Cables:
1. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
2. Coaxial
iii. Fiber Optic Cabling:
1. Step-Index Multimode Fiber
2. Graded-Index Multimode Fiber
3. Single-Mode Fiber
iv. Optical Components:
1. Compact Light Sources
2. Photodetectors
v. Data Cabling in the Enterprise
vi. Exercise: Installing Cat 6 Cabling in this Enterprise Office Layout
3. Circuit-Switched (CS) Networks
a. Analog In-Band Signaling for CS Networks
b. CS Network: Line & Trunk Connections
c. Digital Out-of-Band Signaling for CS Networks
d. Introduction to Common Channel Signaling (CCS)
e. Signaling System 7 (SS7) Architecture and Services
f. Real-Time Exercise! ISDN/SS7 Signaling
g. International PSTN Call Routing: ITU-T Recommendation – E.164: Country Calling Codes
h. Exercise: ITU-T – E.164: Number Structure for Geographic Areas
i. Exercise: Country Code Lookup
j. Exercise: Understanding the Structure of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP)
k. Exercise: Legacy/New North American Numbering Plan
l. Amplification Audio Signals: Analog vs. Digital
m. Encoding Analog Signals into Digital Transmissions
n. Relationship between Decimal and Binary
o. Converting Decimal-to-Binary/Binary-to-Decimal
p. Exercise: Binary/Decimal Conversions
q. Analog to Digital Conversion: Pulse Code Modulation
r. Converting an Analog Waveform to Digital Voice
s. Converting Digital Voice Samples to Analog
t. Clock Synchronization Required for Digital Signals
u. T-Carrier: T1 Circuit/Digital Signal Level 1 (DS-1)
v. T-Carrier Systems: North American Digital Hierarchy
w. E-Carrier Hierarchy
4. Packet-Switched (PS) Networks and Protocols
a. Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) 7 Layer Model
b. Protocol Analysis using Wireshark
c. Understanding the Framework of a Packet Capture
d. Working with Hexadecimal
e. Data Link Layer Hardware (Physical) Addressing
f. Exercise: OUI Lookup
g. Ethernet Frame Structure and Switching
h. Wireless LAN Access Points and Clients
i. Unlicensed Spectrum Bands for use for WLANs
j. Interconnecting Multiple Networks via ISPs
k. The Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4)
l. IPv6 Header and IPv6 Global Unicast Addresses
m. Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) 7 Layer Model
n. Mapping Port Numbers to Applications
o. Introduction to Routing Protocols
p. The Internet: Global Communication without Borders
q. Exercise: TeleGeography Internet Exchange Map
r. Introduction to the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
s. SIP Request Methods and Response Codes
t. User Agent Client (UAC) REGISTRAR Request
u. SIP INVITE Between a UAC and UAS
v. Voice over IP (VoIP): Digitizing and Packetizing
w. Using the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP)
x. Exercise: Packet Trace for SIP and RTP
5. Introduction to Optical Networks
a. Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) Global Standards
b. Comparison of Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) & SDH Digital Hierarchy
c. Carrier Transport/Core Network Using SDH or SONET
d. Global Fiber Optic Terrestrial Links
e. Intro to Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
f. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)
g. Submarine Cables Span Vast Distances
h. Submarine Cable Networks
i. Anatomy of Submarine Fiber Optic Cables
j. Submarine Cable Landings
k. TeleGeography: Submarine Cable Map
l. Exercise: TeleGeography Submarine Cable Map
6. Introduction to Mobile Cellular Technologies
a. Number of Mobile Connections Worldwide
b. Connections within the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)
c. Overview of Mobile Cellular Networks
d. Multiple Access Schemes for Mobile Air Interfaces
e. Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) vs. Time Division Duplex (TDD)
f. Exercise: Cell Planning
g. Mobility: Defining Mobile Cellular Handovers
h. Types, Sizes and Information Stored on Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs)
i. International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)
j. Exercise: Mobile Country Code/Mobile Network Code Lookup Tables
k. 2G: GSM System Architecture & 2.5G: General Packet Switched Radio (GPRS)
l. Different Text Messaging Standards: SMS, EMS, MMS
Is there a discount available for current students?
UMBC students and alumni, as well as students who have previously taken a public training course with UMBC Training Centers are eligible for a 10% discount, capped at $250. Please provide a copy of your UMBC student ID or an unofficial transcript or the name of the UMBC Training Centers course you have completed. Asynchronous courses are excluded from this offer.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Student will receive a refund of paid registration fees only if UMBC Training Centers receives a notice of cancellation at least 10 business days prior to the class start date for classes or the exam date for exams.