Information on Data Communications

Hardware Hub Networking
1

Hey guys,

I'm in my Data Communications Class in college and I am finding my professor really hard to follow. So i am looking for websites and books on the subject of networking and Data communications to learn what i need to know for the college course, and hopefully more than that.

Thanks for your help guys!

2

@DeusQain can probably chime in here.

I know what helped me learn networking the most was just messing around, and whenever I had a problem, I'd post here or on another forum and get some smart people to help me sort it out. Learned a lot that way

3

I'd be interested to know what the curriculum is on. Saying it's a networking and data communications is a really broad term. Not unlike "I work in IT!" which could mean several different things.

4

My course syllabus says:

By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability
to design a network in the context of a small to medium business and
make an informed decision on the appropriate hardware and software
required to implement the network.

Learning Outcomes:
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated
the ability to:

  1. Classify and characterize networks, e.g. LANs and WANs,
    topologies
  2. Explain the underlying networking standards and technologies,
    e.g. OSI Model, Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) token ring (IEEE 802.5),
    FDDI, TCP, IP
  3. Describe the function and capabilities of network operating
    systems and implement selected services, e.g. file systems, user
    accounts
  4. Understand the factors and issues to be considered in
    establishing a LAN system, e.g. capacity, reliability, security
  5. Design a LAN and identify the network components required to
    implement the network, e.g. routers, switches, hubs, network
    operating systems
  6. Research and evaluate networking hardware and software available
    in the marketplace, e.g. mainstream vendors, hardware
    capabilities and performance, price
  7. Rationalize the use of LAN's in business organizations; evaluate
    the capabilities and limitations of LANs in supporting business
    activities
  8. Identify the careers and skills in the networking discipline
5

It sounds like everything that's covered under a network + course. I would get a net + cert book and YouTube net + videos.