Students who are beginning studies in technology need a strong foundation in the basics before moving on to more advanced technology courses and certification programs.   The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is a new and innovative certification track designed to provide a pathway for future success in technology courses and careers. The MTA program curriculum helps instructors teach and validate fundamental technology concepts and provides students with a foundation for their careers as well as the confidence they need to succeed in advanced studies. Through the use of MOAC MTA titles you can help ensure your students future success in and out of the classroom.  This text covers the fundamentals of local area networking,  defining networks with the OSI Model and understanding wired and wireless networks.  In addition it includes understanding Internet Protocol, implementing TCP/IP and working with networking services. Your students will better understand wide area networks along with defining network infrastructures and network security.

Table of Contents:
Lesson 1: Understanding Local Area Networking 1 Objective Domain Matrix 1 Key Terms 1 Examining Local Area Networks, Devices, and Data Transfer 2 Defining a LAN 2 Identifying Types of LANs 14 Getting to Know Perimeter Networks 16 Identifying Network Topologies and Standards 18 Identifying Network Topologies 18 Defining Ethernet Standards 21 Identifying the Differences between Client/Server and Peer-to-Peer Distributed Networks 23 Skill Summary 26 Knowledge Assessment 26 Workplace Ready 29 Lesson 2: Defining Networks with the OSI Model 30 Objective Domain Matrix 30 Key Terms 30 Understanding OSI Basics 31 Defining the Layers in the OSI Model 31 Defining the Communications Subnetwork 33 Defining the Upper OSI Layers 39 Reviewing the OSI Layers 44 Defining the TCP/IP Model 45 Skill Summary 46 Knowledge Assessment 46 Workplace Ready 49 Lesson 3: Understanding Wired and Wireless Networks 50 Objective Domain Matrix 50 Key Terms 50 Recognizing Wired Networks and Media Types 51 Identifying and Working with Twisted-Pair Cables 51 Identifying and Working with Fiber Optic Cable 57 Comprehending Wireless Networks 59 Identifying Wireless Devices 59 Identifying Wireless Networking Standards 61 Skill Summary 65 Knowledge Assessment 65 Workplace Ready 67 Lesson 4: Understanding Internet Protocol 68 Objective Domain Matrix 68 Key Terms 68 Working with IPv4 69 Categorizing IPv4 Addresses 69 Default Gateways and DNS Servers 75 Defining Advanced IPv4 Concepts 78 Defining Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) 85 Working with IPv6 86 Understanding IPv6 86 Configuring IPv6 88 Skill Summary 93 Knowledge Assessment 94 Workplace Ready 97 Lesson 5: Implementing TCP/IP in the Command Line 98 Objective Domain Matrix 98 Key Terms 98 Using Basic TCP/IP Commands 99 Working with the Command Prompt 99 Working with Ipconfig and Ping 101 Working with Advanced TCP/IP Commands 107 Skill Summary 120 Knowledge Assessment 120 Workplace Ready 127 Defining T-Carriers 157 Defining Other WAN Technologies and Internet Connectivity 158 Skill Summary 160 Knowledge Assessment 160 Workplace Ready 163 Lesson 8: Defining Network Infrastructures and Network Security 164 Objective Domain Matrix 164 Key Terms 164 Understanding Networks outside the LAN 165 Defining the Internet 165 Defining Intranets and Extranets 166 Understanding VPNs 167 Understanding Security Devices and Zones 172 Defining Firewalls and Other Perimeter Security Devices 172 Redefining the DMZ 175 Putting It All Together 176 Skill Summary 178 Knowledge Assessment 178 Workplace Ready 181 Index 183 Appendix A 189 Lesson 6: Working with Networking Services 128 Objective Domain Matrix 128 Key Terms 128 Setting Up Common Networking Services 129 Working with DHCP 129 Working with Terminal Services 134 Defining More Networking Services 136 Defining RRAS 136 Defining IPsec 138 Defining Name Resolution Techniques 138 Defining DNS 138 Defining WINS 140 Skill Summary 142 Knowledge Assessment 142 Workplace Ready 145 Lesson 7: Understanding Wide Area Networks 146 Objective Domain Matrix 146 Key Terms 146 Understanding Routing 147 Identifying Static and Dynamic Routing 147 Defining Common WAN Technologies and Connections 150 Defining Packet Switching 150