1. Course Introduction
2. Channelized Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) Review
We review the concept of channelized Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) explaining what channels are, and how channels can aggregate traffic onto a single high-speed circuit. Then we raise some questions: are channels efficient for connecting devices which produce traffic in bursts, that is, devices which are normally idle? And what about the issue of a single failure point for all the aggregated traffic? The following lessons explore the answers.
3. Bandwidth-on-Demand: Statistical Time-Division Multiplexing
In this lesson, we explain how circuits that constantly move bits can be used efficiently if the user's traffic profile is: “doing nothing most of the time, with interspersed bursts of data.” The answer is overbooking which is also called bandwidth-on-demand and statistical multiplexing. It is a key function of a packet network where the internal circuits are overbooked heavily giving users the highest speed for the lowest cost. To know how much can be overbooked, we need the users' historical demand statistics, also called their traffic profile, leading to the term statistical multiplexing.
4. Private Networks: Bandwidth on Demand + Routing
This lesson expands the discussion in the previous lesson to multiple circuits resulting in a private network which is the simplest model for understanding routing, routers, network addresses and bandwidth-on-demand.
5. Routers
In this lesson, we look more closely at a router, more specifically identifying the functions performed by a router to implement a packet network. We review the content and basic structure of a routing table to explain how a router routes. We also explain how a router can be used as a point of control to deny communications based on criteria such as network address and port number, and why this is implemented plus its limitations. The term CE, Customer Edge, is defined in this lesson.
6. IPv4 Addresses
Here, we explain IPv4 addresses, the address classes and dotted-decimal notation which is used to represent them.
7. DHCP
In this lesson, we cover the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, and understand the mechanism used to assign a machine an IP address. We also explain how DHCP, the “dynamic” host configuration protocol, is used to assign static addresses and the advantages of doing this.
8. Private and Public IPv4 Addresses
This lesson defines the terms “private” and “public” IP address, reviews how IP addresses are assigned, the costs for those addresses, and the ranges of IPv4 addresses used as private addresses, and explains how and why private addresses are used.
9. Network Address Translation
In this lesson, we explore how Network Address Translation connects private IPv4 addresses used in-building to public addresses required for Internet communications using a software function.
10. IPv6 Overview
Completing this course on IP, we begin by reviewing the next generation of IP, that is IPv6, understanding the improvements compared to IPv4, then reviewing the format of an IPv6 packet and its header.
11. Address Allocation and Assignment for IPv6
Finally, we examine the 128-bit IPv6 address structure, review the different types of IP addresses, identify the organizations which allocate them and the plans for assigning addresses to end users… and how this means every residence receives 18 billion billion IPv6 addresses.