F4   How Networks Work: The Limits of Modern Internetworking
Dr. Vincent C. Jones, PE

Who should attend: This tutorial is targeted at those technical individuals, regardless of title, who are responsible for the design and upkeep of extended LAN and LAN/WAN networks supporting multiple protocol architectures. A working knowledge of TCP/IP, Ethernet, and the OSI reference model is assumed.

This tutorial explores the theoretical underpinnings of modern network technology, probing the current limits of performance and distinguishing between those limits which are fundamental and those which are temporary. Along the way, we'll separate the hype from the reality on a wide range of critical technologies, from cell relay (ATM) and virtual LANs to IPv6 and link state routing.

The bottom line is that every networking protocol and technology is a compromise among competing needs and the better you understand the underlying theory, the better able you are to make appropriate choices that best meet the needs of your users and their applications.

Among the many topics we'll address are:
 

	Speed and distance limits of twisted-pair and fiber-optic cable
	Switching versus bridging and routing
	What is wrong with RIP and why is it so popular regardless
	Topology considerations in OSPF routed networks
	Common pitfalls when adding redundancy
	Why some protocols, such as NFS and NetWare, are particularly challenging when moving from a LAN to a LAN/WAN enterprise network (and how to make them behave)

 
The focus at all times is on practical knowledge - how the theory applies to real world networks. But rather than just presenting rules of thumb, we will delve into the theory behind the rules so you can understand which rules must be strictly obeyed and which can be safely stretched.