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  1. Skills Directory
  2. Networking

Networking

Networking refers to the practice of connecting computers, devices, and systems together to enable communication, resource sharing, and collaboration. It involves the design, implementation, management, and maintenance of various components and technologies that allow data and information to be exchanged between different entities, such as computers, servers, routers, switches, and other network devices.

This competency area includes an understanding of the concepts of network architecture, LAN switching technologies, IPv4 and IPv6 routing technologies, WAN technologies, infrastructure services, network security, network monitoring and management, network troubleshooting, network automation and cloud networking.

Key Competencies:

  1. Network Architecture - Knowledge of different networking models, such as the OSI model and TCP/IP model, which define how data is structured, transmitted, and received in a network.

  2. LAN Switching Technologies - Knowledge of switch operation, MAC address tables, VLANs, and configuring switches to ensure efficient local network communication.
  3. IPv4 and IPv6 Routing Technologies - Understanding routing protocols (like RIP, OSPF, BGP), routing tables, and how routers forward packets for effective network design and troubleshooting.
  4. WAN Technologies - Knowledge of WAN technologies such as leased lines, MPLS, VPNs, and understanding WAN topology options for interconnecting geographically dispersed networks.
  5. Infrastructure Services - Ability to set up and manage services like DHCP (for automatic IP configuration) and DNS (for name resolution) to ensure smooth network operation.
  6. Network Security - Explore various techniques and tools used to defend networks from cyber threats, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and VPNs. Knowledge of security protocols like SSL/TLS, encryption algorithms, and secure access control mechanisms.
  7. Network Monitoring and Management - Knowledge of monitoring tools(like Syslog), protocols(like SNMP), and network management practices to keep networks running smoothly.
  8. Network Troubleshooting - Using command-line tools like ping, traceroute, ipconfig/ifconfig, nslookup, and Wireshark for analyzing network traffic.
  9. Network Automation - Ability to automate configuration tasks using tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef. 
  10. Cloud Networking: Understanding of networking in cloud environments, like AWS, Azure, and GCP, including virtual networks, load balancers, and cloud security.