Certified - CompTIA Network + Audio Course

Redundancy isn’t just about hardware—it’s also about network paths. In this episode, we explore how having multiple physical and logical paths ensures internet and WAN availability. We discuss multihoming, diverse routing through different ISPs, and the role of BGP in managing multiple connections. You'll also learn how DNS failover and SD-WAN contribute to high-availability strategies. We explain...

Disaster recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all—different organizations require different levels of readiness. In this episode, we examine recovery site types, including cold sites (minimal setup), warm sites (pre-staged but inactive), hot sites (fully replicated and ready to go), and cloud-based recovery models. We compare the costs, benefits, and response times associated with each to help you underst...

Hardware failures are inevitable—but outages are not, if redundancy is properly built into your network. In this episode, we focus on how to create fault-tolerant infrastructure through redundant routers, switches, and physical links. We explore concepts like dual-homing, redundant power supplies, cooling backups, and battery-based UPS systems. You’ll also learn how to assess single points of fail...

High-availability and performance optimization often rely on distributing traffic across multiple paths or interfaces. This episode breaks down three related technologies: load balancing, multipathing, and NIC teaming. You’ll learn how load balancers distribute client traffic across servers, how multipathing ensures resilient access to storage, and how NIC teaming aggregates bandwidth or provides...

Networks don’t operate in a vacuum—they’re governed by agreements that define responsibilities, expectations, and legal protections. In this episode, we cover the three most common types of business agreements you'll encounter: Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). You’ll learn what each one is for, who signs them, and how they sh...

A well-documented network is easier to maintain, troubleshoot, and scale. In this episode, we explore the different types of network documentation, including physical topology diagrams, logical flowcharts, and wiring schematics. You’ll learn how to map out port-to-device connections, track equipment inventories, and document cabling infrastructure. We also explain how to generate and maintain audi...

Security begins with hardening the network against misuse and unauthorized access. In this episode, we review core hardening policies that every network should implement, starting with password standards, login lockouts, and multi-factor authentication. You’ll learn how to manage device access, enforce idle timeouts, and limit who can access what through role-based permissions. We also cover data...

Standard Operating Procedures are the rulebooks of a stable network environment. In this episode, we explain why SOPs matter, how they are developed, and what elements make them effective. You’ll learn how clear, concise procedures reduce human error, speed up onboarding, and improve incident response. We also examine how SOPs are different from policies and runbooks. From equipment installation t...

When the worst happens, a well-prepared team can make all the difference. In this episode, we examine the roles of incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning. You’ll learn how to define incidents, contain them quickly, and document findings for later analysis. We walk through the phases of incident response and how they relate to ITIL and NIST frameworks. We also explor...

Change is inevitable—but unplanned change can break your network. This episode walks you through the change management process, including how to propose, review, approve, and document network changes. You'll learn about maintenance windows, rollback procedures, and the importance of peer review before making even minor modifications to a live environment. We also discuss the broader system life cy...

A baseline is a snapshot of normal network behavior, and it’s one of the most powerful tools for detecting anomalies. This episode explores how to create, maintain, and use network baselines effectively. You’ll learn how to define what “normal” looks like in terms of bandwidth, latency, and traffic patterns, and how to detect deviations that indicate issues or intrusions. We also introduce NetFlow...

Interface errors can be the first signs of deeper problems, and in this episode, we cover the most common indicators that a link is failing. You’ll learn how to recognize and interpret error messages such as input/output drops, late collisions, CRC errors, and alignment problems. These clues can point to physical issues like bad cabling, interference, or even failing hardware components like trans...

Logs are a goldmine of operational insight—and in this episode, we explain how to access, interpret, and act on the information they provide. You’ll learn about Syslog, the standard logging protocol used by most network devices, and how to configure Syslog levels to capture just the right amount of detail. We also discuss the role of centralized logging servers and how they support forensic analys...

Monitoring network health begins with knowing what to measure—and how. In this episode, we cover the essential performance metrics that indicate how well a network is functioning, including bandwidth usage, latency, jitter, packet loss, and error rates. You’ll learn what thresholds are considered acceptable and how performance metrics help predict or detect problems before users notice. We also in...

In Domain 3, we shift focus from implementation to operation, diving into what it takes to maintain, monitor, and document a functional network. This episode provides an overview of what you’ll encounter throughout the domain, including topics like network performance metrics, configuration management, change control processes, and incident response. Unlike the theoretical planning of earlier doma...

Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) is one of the most powerful features in modern wireless communication, dramatically increasing speed and efficiency. In this episode, we explain how MIMO works by allowing multiple data streams to be sent and received simultaneously using multiple antennas. You'll learn about spatial streams, signal reflection, and how beamforming targets specific devices to...

Cellular networks offer wide-area coverage and are vital for connecting mobile devices and remote locations to the internet. In this episode, we walk through the evolution of cellular technology from 3G to 4G LTE and the newest 5G deployments. You’ll learn the differences in speed, latency, and frequency band usage across each generation, and how they impact performance in different environments....

Wireless networks require more than just a strong signal—they also demand strong security. In this episode, we explore the evolution of wireless encryption, from outdated protocols like WEP to modern standards like WPA2 and WPA3. You'll learn how each encryption method works, what vulnerabilities exist, and why pre-shared keys are appropriate in some environments but not in others. We also cover e...

Wireless networks can be built in several topologies, and choosing the right one affects everything from coverage to scalability. In this episode, we compare ad hoc and infrastructure mode, explain what an SSID is and how it’s broadcasted, and examine the use of multiple SSIDs in multi-tenant or enterprise environments. You'll also learn about wireless isolation, SSID hiding, and service set types...

Wireless networks are built on radio frequencies, and how you manage those frequencies has a massive impact on performance and reliability. This episode covers the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, channel availability, and how channel overlap can cause interference and performance degradation. We explain how to choose non-overlapping channels in dense environments and how tools like Wi-Fi analyz...

Wireless networking continues to evolve rapidly, and understanding the 802.11 family of standards is essential for modern network support. In this episode, we walk through the progression from 802.11a and 802.11b all the way to today’s high-speed 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6). You'll learn which frequency bands each standard uses, what modulation types they employ, and the maximum data rates supported in typ...

Legacy and modern protocols alike underpin communication within local networks, and this episode brings together three foundational ones: CSMA/CD, ARP, and Neighbor Discovery. We begin with CSMA/CD, once crucial in shared Ethernet environments, explaining how devices listened before transmitting and how collisions were handled. Although largely obsolete due to switched networks, CSMA/CD still appe...

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is critical for preventing Layer 2 loops that can crash entire networks. In this episode, we explain how STP operates by detecting redundant paths and placing specific ports in a blocking state. You'll learn about key concepts like the root bridge, bridge ID, port roles (root, designated, and blocked), and the election process that determines which paths remain active....

Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows devices like access points, VoIP phones, and security cameras to receive power and data over a single Ethernet cable. In this episode, we explain how PoE and PoE+ work, including power classifications, standards like IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at, and how switches negotiate power with connected devices. You’ll learn how this technology simplifies installations by removi...

Switches rely on MAC address tables to decide where to forward frames, and this episode walks you through exactly how these tables are built and maintained. You'll learn how switches learn the source MAC address of each incoming frame and associate it with the port that received it. This learning process allows switches to make intelligent forwarding decisions, sending frames only to the appropria...