Financial Ltd
|
Directory Enquiries
Currency Converter
Train Tickets
|
| |
You hit the ground running, with a fistful of cat 5 cable and some mouse
devices wrapped around your neck, but now you're ready for a little more action.
Maybe you've been working in a data center performing backups during the
graveyard shift or doing techie work at the corner computer store. You've got,
shall we say, a good, solid foundation. Well, rise up to the challenge, Rocky!
Microsoft Exam 70-058, Networking Essentials will be the thrill of the fight for
you.
Although designed for those with entry-level technical experience, Microsoft's
Networking Essentials is exceptional information to have—it should be a
prerequisite to even being in the same room as a network server. The Networking
Essentials material is an in-depth study of the "nervous" system of an
enterprise solution. Starting with the basic concepts of the local area network
(LAN), it builds upon what's necessary to share and manage files and printers
between computers (short of doing the floppy shuffle).
Networking Essentials is divided into four main facets: terminology, planning,
implementation, and troubleshooting. Taking these tenets as a microcosm, you can
apply them in the greater scheme of things—certification. In this case
specifically, the red-hot MCSE (Microsoft Certified System Engineer).
Definition is the hands-down core of any knowledge base. Just when you thought
you had BIOS, DLL, and config.sys down, here come BNC, UNC, and RAID.
Know the OSI model
First and foremost, the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model
provides the standard for ALL computers to communicate. It was developed in 1978
by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and divides networking into
seven layers as shown in the table below.
The OSI model
|
Layer
|
Description
|
|
Application |
Where application processes access network services
(e-mail, transference of files). |
|
Presentation |
Translation of data, protocol, known as Network
Translator. Redirectors operate at this
level, separating the network requests out for service. |
|
Session |
Where applications meet to do business. |
|
Transport |
When it absolutely, positively has to get there, the
Transport layer handles the transmittal
and reception of packets. |
|
Network |
Addressing of messages, translation of logical network
addresses into physical addresses. |
|
Data Link |
Data frames sent from Network layer to Physical layer. At
receiving end, raw data
from Physical layer into data frames. |
|
Physical |
Raw data dispatched over network cable/network card.
Binary at its primal. |
The OSI model's seven layers of networking
Know the OSI by heart—it will provide deep insight into all aspects of
your future career. A popular mnemonic device to remember the layers is (from
top to bottom):
 |
All
|
|
People
|
|
Seem
|
|
To
|
|
Need
|
|
Data
|
|
Processing
|
I've also heard (from bottom to top)
|
Please
|
|
Do
|
|
Not
|
|
Throw
|
|
Sausage
|
|
Pizza
|
|
Away
|
It's Silly, but it dose works.
Remember Project 802
Project 802, developed by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers), further defines LAN standards. There are 12 categories:
|
802.1
Internetworking |
|
802.2
Logical Link |
|
802.3
Ethernet |
|
802.4
Token Bus LAN |
|
802.5
Token Ring LAN |
|
802.6
Metro Area Network (MAN) |
|
802.7
Broadband |
|
802.8
Fiber Optic |
|
802.9
Integrated Voice/Data Network |
|
802.10
Security |
|
802.11
Wireless |
|
802.12
100BaseVG-AnyLAN |
The Data Link Layer in the OSI is further subdivided into the Logical Link
Control (802.1, 802.2) and the Media Access Control (802.3, 802.4, 802.5,
802.12).
Know your hardware
As for hardware knowledge, RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) and fault
tolerance are covered in Networking Essentials. The only three that Microsoft is
really concerned about for its test are RAID 0 (disk striping), RAID 1 (disk
mirroring), and RAID 5 (disk striping with parity).
Cabling is also very important "need to know" information. From
twisted pair to fiber optic to wireless technologies, knowing what type of
cabling to use in a given enterprise solution can make or break your budget.
Unshielded twisted pair is perhaps the most popular. It's currently the cheapest
bang for the buck.
This is a very basic overview of the Networking Essentials material for
Microsoft exam 70-058. On its own, it's a principal foundation for any
technician; it won't give you Microsoft Certified Professional status. For more
info, check the Microsoft Certification and Training site.
On the other hand, Networking Essentials is required for the MCSE
certification—and that's your goal ultimately, isn't it—the eye of the
tiger?
|
