As data, telephony, VoIP and wireless technologies all integrate at such a rapid pace, there is a growing need for CTP professionals skilled in all facets of convergence, from sales to installation to implementation to maintenance.
In Data Networking, participants will learn to identify networking models and topologies, describe the function and purpose of network operating systems, and monitor system performance. Participants will learn how various networking components map to the layers of the Open Systems Interconnection reference model (OSI/RM). Participants will also learn about the process of packetization; learn to identify key networking protocols; and explore the nature, purpose and operating essentials of protocols that make up the TCP/IP suite. Participants will learn about various LAN, WAN and wireless standards, and about wireless vulnerabilities and security. Participants will explore the routing process, study Internet addressing, learn to identify address classes, learn about the use of private addresses, and learn to perform subnetting. Participants will also learn how to use various TCP/IP diagnostic and troubleshooting tools.
In Telephony Networking, participants will learn about basic telephony concepts, including loop-start trunks, common telephony standards, and PBX elements. From Line A and Line B to exchange switches, participants will learn how voice and data are routed across the global public switched telephone network.
Participants will also learn about key infrastructure issues, including how equipment must be properly tested and secured. This course also focuses on specific troubleshooting techniques. Participants will learn how to use common troubleshooting tools, including a digital multimeter, a tone-and-probe kit, a line-test handset (i.e., butt set), and other tools that allow you to wire analogue and digital lines. Finally, participants will learn about analogue and digital signaling, including analogue loop-start methods, ISDN and SS7.
In Convergence Technologies, participants will learn to identify the characteristics of circuit-based and packet switched technologies, identify differences between the call flow in convergence-based calls and the call flow in circuit-based calls, and identify the types of signaling protocols for converged networks. Participants will identify the transport protocols used for real-time communications, and learn about the functions of gatekeepers and gateways. Participants will also compare and contrast the three major signaling protocols for VoIP. Participants will learn how to determine whether an existing network is capable of supporting convergent services, and they will identify the specific elements required for a successful VoIP implementation.
Participants will also learn about common convergence devices, learn about codecs and their bandwidth requirements, and describe the impact of compressing voice in a network. Participants will learn about various wireless convergence technologies, identify standards for transporting facsimile across convergent networks, and identify the features of presencing and unified messaging. Participants will also identify methods for providing video services through a converged solution.
Participants will define delay, latency, jitter and wander, and identify their impact on real-time communications; and participants will also identify the importance of a jitter buffer. Participants will learn about the need for Quality of Service (QoS) and identify QoS technologies used in converged networks. In addition, participants will learn to identify the factors that affect the bandwidth of packetized voice, and identify requirements for transporting modem and fax transmissions through a converged solution. Participants will also identify industry standards for determining voice and video quality, troubleshoot convergent communications over wireless networks, and identify security concerns and solutions.