Networking Essentials-v2

CompTIA A + (220-1102) Domain:
Domain 1.0: Operating Systems
Domain 2.0: Security

CompTIA A+ (220-1102) Objective:
Objective 1.6 Given a scenario, configure Microsoft Windows networking features on a client/desktop. 
Objective 2.9 Given a scenario, appropriate security settings on SOHO wireless and wired networks. 

Overview

This lab is part of a series of lab exercises designed to supplement coursework and provide students with a hands-on training experience based on real-world applications. This series of lab exercises is intended to support courseware for CompTIA A+® certification.

A computer network is a collection of two or more connected computers that allow users to exchange information, share resources, communicate through applications like e-mail, and connect to the Internet. All devices that will connect to a network require specific network hardware and basic configurations to be operational. Network interface cards and drivers, network medium, and interconnecting devices are all part of the necessary hardware. Network server software, network client software, and network protocols are the software components that interact with network hardware and facilitate communication between computers. Understanding network types, components, and protocols and services are all part of being a competent PC technician.

Outcomes

In this lab, you will learn to:

  1. Configure Windows clients to connect to a workgroup network.
  2. Test network connectivity between computers.
  3. Share data and resources on the network.
  4. Use network command-line utilities.
Courses

Key terms and descriptions

Peer-to-Peer Network (Workgroup)
There is no dedicated server or hierarchy among the computers. All of the computers are equal and therefore known as peers with no centralized administration of resources.
Client/Server Network
Clients rely on servers for resources such as storage space, printing, and sometimes processing power. Clients are typically less powerful systems than servers. Centralized administration is part of the client/server network model.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
The NIC provides a physical connection between the network media and the computer’s internal components; it is used to connect the computer to the network. Every device on a network that needs to transmit and receive data must have a NIC installed.
Network Interface Device Drivers
Like all hardware, NICs must have device driver software installed to allow application and operating system software to communicate with the hardware.
Network Media
The path over which the communication signal travels. Examples of media are twisted-pair cable, fiber-optic cable, and wireless signals.
Interconnecting Devices
A variety of devices such as hubs, switches, and routers that are used to connect network segments.
Network Protocols
Network protocols are standards that allow computers to communicate. A protocol defines how computers identify one another on a network, the form that the data should take in transit, and how this information is processed once it reaches its final destination. Protocols also define procedures for data transmissions.
TCP/IP Protocol Suite
TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol and IP stands for Internet Protocol. The TCP/IP protocol suite is group of related protocols managed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). It is the protocol suite used for Internet communication.
TCP/IP Utilities
To help manage the TCP/IP protocol suite, there are many different utilities. For example, ping is a utility that is used to test connectivity, and ipconfig is a diagnostic utility for IP configurations, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Domain Name System (DNS) settings.
Ping
The ping command is one of the most useful commands in the TCP/IP protocol. It sends a series of packets to another system, which in turn sends back a response. This utility can be extremely useful for troubleshooting problems with remote hosts. Pings are also called ICMP echo requests/replies since they use the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP).
Tracert
Tracert (trace route) is a command-line utility that enables you to verify the route to a remote host.
Netstat
The netstat (network statistics) utility is used to check out the inbound and outbound TCP/IP connections on your machine.
Net Services Commands
Powerful set of tools used to diagnose network problems on a Windows computer from a command-line interface (CLI).
Nbtstat
Nbtstat is a command-line utility that shows NetBIOS over TCP/IP information.
Nslookup
Nslookup (Name Server Lookup) is a command-line utility that enables you to verify entries on a DNS server.
Ipconfig
With Windows-based operating systems, you can determine the network settings on the client’s network interface cards, as well as any that a DHCP server has leased to your computer, by typing the following at a command prompt: ipconfig /all.
Firewall
A firewall is software or hardware that checks information coming from the Internet or a network and either blocks it or allows it to pass through to your computer, depending on your firewall settings.