1.
Networking Fundamentals
OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection):
Layer-by-Layer Overview:
1. Physical Layer:
o Role: Transmits raw bitstreams over a physical medium (cables, wireless
signals).
o Devices: Hubs, NICs, cables (Cat5e, Cat6, Fiber).
o Tools: Cable testers, TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer), OTDR for fiber.
2. Data Link Layer:
o Role: Handles error detection, frames, and MAC addressing.
o Devices: Switches, bridges.
o Protocols: Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), ARP.
3. Network Layer:
o Role: Logical addressing, routing, and packet forwarding.
o Devices: Routers, Layer 3 switches.
o Protocols: IPv4, IPv6, ICMP, OSPF, RIP.
4. Transport Layer:
o Role: Ensures reliable data delivery through segmentation, error recovery.
o Protocols: TCP (connection-oriented), UDP (connectionless).
5. Session Layer:
o Role: Manages sessions between devices (open, maintain, close).
o Protocols: SMB (Server Message Block), NetBIOS.
6. Presentation Layer:
o Role: Data translation, compression, encryption (e.g., converting JPEG to
binary).
o Protocols: SSL/TLS.
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7. Application Layer:
o Role: Provides network services to applications.
o Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, DNS, DHCP, SMTP.
TCP/IP Model:
1. Application (OSI Layers 5-7): HTTP, SMTP, FTP.
2. Transport (OSI Layer 4): TCP, UDP.
3. Internet (OSI Layer 3): IP, ICMP, ARP.
4. Network Interface (OSI Layers 1-2): Ethernet, Wi-Fi.
2. Network Implementations
Network Topologies:
1. Star Topology:
o Central device (switch/hub) connects all devices.
o Pros: Easy to troubleshoot.
o Cons: Central device failure a ects the entire network.
2. Mesh Topology:
o Each node connects to every other node.
o Used in mission-critical environments.
3. Hybrid Topology:
o Combines topologies like star and bus.
WAN Technologies:
1. Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP):
o Provides authentication, compression.
2. Metro Ethernet:
o High-speed data connections over metropolitan areas.
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3. WAN Optimization:
o Tools: Riverbed, Cisco WAN accelerators for tra ic compression.
Wireless Standards (802.11):
1. Frequencies:
o 2.4 GHz: Longer range, less speed (802.11b, g, n).
o 5 GHz: Shorter range, faster speed (802.11a, ac, ax).
2. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax):
o Supports OFDMA for better bandwidth sharing.
o Speeds: 9.6 Gbps.
3. Network Operations
Monitoring Tools:
1. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol):
o Monitors devices like routers and switches.
o Versions: SNMPv1 (basic), SNMPv3 (secure).
2. Syslog:
o Centralized log collection from network devices.
o Log levels: Debug (low priority) to Emergency (high priority).
Remote Access:
1. VPN (Virtual Private Network):
o Types: IPsec VPN, SSL VPN.
o Encryption: AES, ChaCha20.
2. SSH (Secure Shell):
o Used for secure remote command-line access.
Automation:
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1. Configuration Management:
o Tools: Ansible, Puppet, Chef.
2. Scripting:
o Common Languages: Python (network automation), PowerShell.
4. Network Security
Threats and Vulnerabilities:
1. Malware:
o Tools for detection: FireEye, Palo Alto Threat Intelligence.
2. DoS/DDoS Attacks:
o Mitigation: Use services like Cloudflare, Arbor Networks.
3. Spoofing:
o ARP Spoofing: Mitigate with Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI).
Network Hardening:
1. Firewalls:
o Types: Stateful, stateless, NGFW.
2. Access Control:
o VLANs for network segmentation.
o Port security: Limiting devices per switch port.
3. Secure Protocols:
o HTTPS: Secure HTTP using TLS.
o SFTP: Encrypted file transfers.
5. Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Tools:
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1. Ping:
o Verifies connectivity between devices.
2. Traceroute:
o Tracks packet routes to detect bottlenecks.
3. Wireshark:
o Captures and analyzes network tra ic.
4. Nslookup:
o Resolves domain names to IPs for DNS testing.
Common Scenarios:
1. Connectivity Issues:
o Check cabling, verify IP addressing (subnet conflicts).
2. Slow Network:
o Analyze bandwidth usage with tools like SolarWinds.
3. Wireless Problems:
o Adjust Wi-Fi channels to minimize interference.
6. Infrastructure
Ethernet Standards:
1. 10Base-T: 10 Mbps, Cat3 cabling.
2. 1000Base-T: 1 Gbps, Cat5e/Cat6 cabling.
3. Fiber Standards:
o Single-mode: Long-distance communication.
o Multi-mode: Shorter distances, cheaper.
Power over Ethernet (PoE):
1. Standards:
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o IEEE 802.3af: 15.4W.
o IEEE 802.3at (PoE+): 30W.
Routing Protocols:
1. OSPF:
o Link-state, e icient for large networks.
2. BGP (Border Gateway Protocol):
o Used for Internet routing between ISPs.
7. Subnetting and IP Addressing
Subnetting:
1. Formula:
o Subnets = 2n2^n, where nn = bits borrowed.
o Hosts = 2h−22^h - 2, where hh = host bits.
2. Example:
o CIDR: /26.
o Subnet Mask: [Link].
o Hosts: 26−2=622^6 - 2 = 62.
IPv6:
1. Structure:
o 8 groups of 4 hex digits (e.g., [Link]).
2. Types:
o Global Unicast: Routable.
o Link-Local: Automatic for local communication.
8. Network Services
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DHCP:
1. DORA Process:
o Discover → O er → Request → Acknowledge.
2. Configuration:
o Pools: IP range allocation.
o Exclusions: Reserved IPs.
DNS:
1. Record Types:
o A: Maps domain to IPv4.
o AAAA: Maps domain to IPv6.
o MX: Mail server records.
2. DNS Hierarchy:
o Root servers → TLD (e.g., .com) → Authoritative.
NTP (Network Time Protocol):
Synchronizes clocks in distributed networks.
9. Study Tips
1. Practice Labs:
o Tools: GNS3, Cisco Packet Tracer, EVE-NG.
2. Study Resources:
o O icial CompTIA Network+ Study Guide.
o Udemy and LinkedIn Learning courses.
3. Simulations:
o Configure VLANs, troubleshoot routing.
Study Tools and Tips
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GingerSec Self-Paced Bootcamps
[Link]
GingerSec Discounted Test Vouchers
[Link]
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