Ruankao Network Engineer (Intermediate) study plan

Map the OSI seven layers to the TCP/IP four-layer model and state, for each layer, one PDU name and two representative protocols from memory

Compute the theoretical bit rate for a given bandwidth and encoding scheme (e.g. Nyquist for noiseless channels, Shannon for noisy channels) across at least six worked exercises

Distinguish guided media (twisted pair categories, coax, fiber single-mode vs multimode) by bandwidth, distance, and interference immunity in a comparison table

Explain TDM, FDM, and WDM multiplexing plus Manchester, 4B/5B, and QAM encoding by sketching waveforms and identifying where each is used

Apply CRC, parity, and checksum error detection to sample bit strings and identify which errors each scheme can and cannot catch

Trace an Ethernet frame field by field (preamble through FCS) and state minimum and maximum frame sizes and the reason for each

Describe switch MAC learning, flooding, and forwarding, and predict the forwarding decision for a given MAC table and destination address

Configure 802.1Q VLANs and trunk ports on a simulated switch and verify segmentation with show commands

Walk through STP root bridge election and port state transitions, and explain how RSTP shortens convergence

Compare PPP and HDLC framing and list the 802.11 association and CSMA/CA exchange steps in order

Subnet IPv4 address space using VLSM for a given topology and verify that no address block overlaps or is wasted

Summarize contiguous routes by hand and check the result against the longest-prefix-match rule

Distinguish ARP, proxy ARP, gratuitous ARP, and ICMP message types by the problem each solves

Compare RIP, OSPF, and BGP on metric, convergence, scalability, and typical deployment scope

Explain NAT/PAT translation behavior and IPv6 addressing, neighbor discovery, and transition mechanisms at a conceptual level

Trace a TCP three-way handshake, data transfer with windowing, and teardown, and explain how each of the four teardown flags behaves

Compare TCP and UDP for a given application requirement and justify the transport choice

Describe DNS resolution (recursive vs iterative), record types, and caching behavior, and read a DHCP DORA exchange step by step

Explain HTTP request/response, persistent connections, and how TLS secures HTTPS at a high level, plus the roles of FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP, and SNMP

Install and configure a DNS or web service role on a Windows or Linux server and confirm it answers queries or serves a page

Configure a router interface, static route, and default route on a simulator and verify reachability with ping and traceroute

Configure OSPF on two routers, confirm adjacency, and read the routing table to explain chosen paths

Write and apply an ACL that permits specified traffic and blocks the rest, then test both permitted and denied cases

Produce a logical network design for a small multi-floor office covering addressing, VLANs, redundancy, and device placement

Lay out a structured cabling plan naming horizontal and backbone media, patch panel and closet locations, and labeling conventions

Explain the layered security architecture (physical, network, host, application) and place firewalls, IDS/IPS, and DMZs correctly within it

Compare symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hashing, and digital certificates, and identify which mechanism provides confidentiality, integrity, or authentication

Describe IPsec and SSL VPN operation and choose an appropriate VPN type for a given remote-access or site-to-site requirement

Configure a firewall rule set or ACL on a simulator and verify that only intended traffic passes

Outline a network management and backup plan covering SNMP monitoring, log retention, configuration backup, and recovery testing

Read a short English technical passage on networking and answer terminology and comprehension questions accurately

Recall the scope of key standards bodies and identify which organization publishes Ethernet, wireless, and internet standards

State the purpose of major information-security and network-related laws and regulations at a recognition level and note where compliance affects design

Review incorrect answers from weeks 1-6 and re-solve each missed question type until the reasoning is correct

Complete a timed mixed-domain practice set and record accuracy per domain

Re-derive from memory the subnetting, route-summarization, and encoding formulas most often tested

Re-run the two weakest lab configurations from earlier weeks without notes and confirm they work

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and score them

Review every missed item from the mocks and close each gap by restating the correct rule in your own words

Assemble a final one-page formula and command reference sheet for last-day review