Network Engineering - The Essential Handbook

By W.J Bickerstaffe

Network Engineering Essentials is the comprehensive guide you need to build, secure, and manage efficient networks that meet the demands of today's digital landscape.

 

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced network engineer, this ebook will teach you everything you need to know about network engineering, from the fundamentals to the latest trends.

 

Here are just a few of the topics covered in this ebook:

 

• Network topologies and protocols
• Router and switch configuration
• Network segmentation and VLAN implementation
• Network redundancy
• Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
• Network security
• Network access control
• Firewall implementation and security zoning
• VPN
• Network troubleshooting
• Incident response and sample playbooks

 

Packed with practical examples, detailed explanations, and hands-on exercises, "Network Engineering Essentials" is the perfect resource for anyone who wants to master the art of network engineering.

 

With this ebook as your trusted companion, you'll develop the skills necessary to:

 

1. Build robust and scalable network infrastructures
2. Enhance security measures to protect your networks from cyberattacks
3. Optimise network performance to ensure that your networks are always up and running
4. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in network engineering

 

Whether you're a student, a network enthusiast, or a seasoned professional looking to expand your knowledge, "Network Engineering Essentials" is the essential guide for you.

 

Order your copy today and start your journey into the exciting world of network engineering!

 

Contents:

 

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Network Engineering

Chapter 2: Fundamentals of Networking

Chapter 3: Diving Deeper - Key Technologies and Concepts in Network Engineering

Chapter 4: Practical Network Engineering

Chapter 5: Future Trends and Career Paths in Network Engineering

Chapter 6: Network Security and Cyber Threats

Chapter 7: Network Security Breaches and Playbook Guides

Chapter 8: Ethics in Network Engineering

Appendix A: Glossary of Key Terms

Appendix B: List of Useful Resources

Appendix C: Guide to Network Engineering Certifications.

• Language: English
• Publisher: W.J Bickerstaffe
• Release date: Aug 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223491460

Book preview

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Chapter 1

An Introduction to Network Engineering

Let's take a moment to acknowledge something profound: Our world, as we know it today, is a realm of remarkable connectivity. From sending emails and accessing websites, to streaming music and even making video calls, we find ourselves in the midst of an invisible information superhighway. At the heart of this dynamic and interconnected digital universe, there's a realm that often goes unnoticed, yet it's as indispensable as the circulatory system in the human body.

What is Network Engineering?

Network engineering, put simply, revolves around the creation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of invisible routes, allowing information to journey seamlessly from one digital device to another. It's akin to the work of a civil engineer, except these highways are not for cars, but for the continuous, lightning-quick flow of digital data.

Imagine you're texting a friend. With a single tap on 'send', your written message undergoes a transformation, morphing into a language that computers can comprehend – this is digital data. Through an intricate network of invisible pathways, your text message embarks on a complex journey, finally materialising on your friend's phone. This intricate dance is network engineering in action!

The Pivotal Role of Network Engineers

In this grand scheme, network engineers are the architects, the builders, and the custodians of the digital highways. They sketch out the intricate designs for these pathways, they bring them to life, monitor their performance, and when a hiccup occurs, they are the digital paramedics, stepping in to resolve issues. Their task is to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of digital data from one node to another.

Being a network engineer demands a unique blend of skills. A comprehensive understanding of computer science principles is a must, along with the ability to apply logical and creative problem-solving. These engineers must also navigate their way through advanced computer systems, highlighting their versatile and highly specialised skill set.

The Fundamental Building Blocks of a Network

To protect our digital universe from the constant onslaught of cyber threats, a solid understanding of the networks we are guarding is absolutely vital. Networks are complex systems, akin to a digital symphony, intricately woven with numerous devices, sending a myriad of information across a plethora of mediums, all following the rhythmic beat set by specific protocols. Let's embark on a journey, unravelling the fundamental components that hold the network together: Devices, Transmission Media, and Network Protocols. Each of these plays a critical role in the functioning of a network, and their harmonious interaction is what keeps our digital world spinning seamlessly.

Devices: The Heart and Soul of a Network

When we speak of 'devices' in the network environment, we're referring to a vast array of digital equipment capable of sending, receiving, and processing data. These include not just the commonplace computers, servers, smartphones, and tablets, but also extend to the growing realm of the Internet of Things (IoT) – think smart fridges, thermostats, and even light bulbs.

Each device, with its distinct role, forms an integral node in the network tapestry. Your personal laptop or desktop computer (a device) connects to a network to fetch information from a website, which itself resides on a server (another device). Without such devices – the very heart and soul of the network – there would be no networks as we know them.

Transmission Media: The Digital Motorways

Much like vehicles traverse vast distances using networks of roads, data too needs pathways to journey from one device to another. Enter transmission media, the unseen digital 'motorways' facilitating the flow of data across networks. Transmission media can manifest as physical entities or ethereal wireless signals.

Physical transmission media can be as common as Ethernet cables, or as advanced as fibre-optic cables, each with its own unique data transmission capabilities and speeds. These tangible pathways connect devices in close quarters, giving rise to local networks such as LANs (Local Area Networks).

Conversely, wireless transmission media encompass radio waves, infrared signals, and even satellite transmissions. This form of media is pivotal in crafting wireless networks, thereby allowing devices to connect, share, and receive data without being tethered by physical constraints.

Network Protocols: The Rulebook for the Digital Age

In the grand symphony of data exchange, network protocols serve as the conductor. They are the 'rules of the road' - a set of standards determining how data is structured, transmitted, and reciprocated within a network. These protocols dictate the manner in which a device interacts with the network and its co-inhabitants.

Consider TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), a set of rules managing how data packets are assembled, addressed, transmitted, routed, and received in a network. Or take HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), the protocol directing the conversation between web servers and browsers to display your favourite websites. And there's SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), which sets the stage for how email servers send, receive, and store your emails.

Without protocols to govern the flow of data, networks would descend into chaos, much like cities without traffic rules. They ensure the smooth, reliable, and orderly communication that powers our digital lives.

In a nutshell, the devices form the lifeblood of our networks, transmission media provide the highways on which data travels, and network protocols uphold the rulebook ensuring it all runs smoothly. This understanding is essential to grasp the vast complexities of network security and the critical importance of cybersecurity. These building blocks underpin our thriving digital society, and protecting them is no longer an option, but an absolute necessity.

Our exploration of these elements aims to provide you with a sturdy foundation in network engineering, inspiring you to dig deeper into this fascinating field. We've aimed to make the journey approachable, engaging, yet packed with value. After all, as you unravel the mysteries of network engineering, you're not just gaining knowledge – you're opening doors to a world that is becoming more interconnected by the second.

Network Protocols: The Conductor of Digital Symphony

A network protocol, in essence, is a set of rules or conventions for communicating over a network. These rules determine how devices on a network send or receive data, including how signals should be formed, how data should be sent, and how data should be received.

Imagine a symphony orchestra, where each musician plays a different instrument. The conductor ensures everyone starts and stops playing at the right time, maintains the tempo, and coordinates all the musicians to create harmonious music. Similarly, network protocols synchronise all the devices on a network, allowing them to work together and communicate efficiently, forming a harmonious digital symphony.

Common Network Protocols

Here are a few common network protocols you might encounter:

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): This is a suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices