This course builds on the basic packet, frame and IP networking concepts of Course V3, Fundamentals of Datacom and Networking, to put in place a solid understanding of protocol stacks, the OSI model and layers and IP addressing including address classes, static vs. dynamic public vs. private and network address translation.

In Part 3, we move to the next higher level of knowledge, understanding packet networks and bandwidth on demand services from telecommunication service providers. After understanding the core concepts, including virtual circuits, we use the grand-daddy of packet services, X.25 to explain jargon: connection-oriented vs. connectionless and reliable vs. unreliable packet networks. Then we progress through technologies: Frame Relay, ATM and finish with MPLS. We'll trace the flow of TCP and IP packets from server to client across Frame Relay, then see how the same TCP/IP works over MPLS.