319 Courses in Birmingham

Linux training course description A Linux foundation appropriate for all flavours of Linux, focussed on getting network engineers up and running with Linux. The command line is used throughout. The course progresses from the basics of Linux commands onto useful tools such as grep, then shell features such as piping and then onto shell scripting. Administration aspects covered are the tasks network engineers are most likely to encounter such as software installation. Hands on exercises concentrate on network related tasks such as installing net-snmp and using shell scripts to provide network automation. What will you learn Use Linux commands to perform a variety of tasks from manipulating files to handling processes. Create and edit files with vi. Work with permissions. Write simple shell scripts. Install software packages. Configure base networking. Linux training course details Who will benefit: Network engineers. Prerequisites: TCP/IP Foundation Duration 5 days Linux training course contents What is Linux? Linux distributions, open source software. Getting started Logging in, changing passwords, logging out. Hands on Basics and root access. Linux basics Command structure. The Linux manuals, basic commands (who, date, tty, uname, echo, banner...). Hands on Using the CLI. Connecting to a network IP configuration, DHCP, static addressing, routing, ifconfig, ping, netstat, traceroute, dig. Hands on Network configuration and testing. Managing Software Package Concepts, Comparison of package formats, RPM, rpm Commands, Yum, Debian Packages, dpkg, apt-cache, apt-get, dselect, aptitude, Converting Between Package Formats, Dependencies and Conflicts, Startup Script Problems, Shared Libraries, Library Management Hands on Installing network packages such as nmap and net-snmp. Processes and log files ps, kill, background processes, at, exec, priorities. Managing Linux log files. Syslogd. Setting the time. Cron and cronjobs. Managing Processes, the Kernel: The First Process. Hands on Controlling daemons and services. Setting up a TFTP server. Filesystem commands Home directories, manipulating files and directories, Filesystem layout, Pathnames, hard and symbolic links. Viewing files. Hands on Exploring the filesystem, working with network device configuration files. The Linux editors ed, vi, shell escapes, .exrc. Hands on Editing network device configuration files. Extracting data from files grep, find, cut, sort and paste… Hands on Working with syslog files. Permissions Theory, chmod, chown, newgrp. Hands on Handling permission problems. The shell Metacharacters, piping and redirection. Hands on Running SNMP commands and working with their output. Basic shell scripting What are shell scripts? Simple scripts, control structures. Variable. Setting variables, using variables, set, scope, export, sourcing, environmental variables, read. Positional parameters: $0 to $9, $#, $* and others. shift parameter substitution. Control statements: The test command, if , while loops, for loops, the case statement. Hands on Automating network tasks. Customising your environment Environmental variables, stty, .profile and other startup files. Hands on Customising Linux. Introduction to administration The root user, su. Managing users and groups. Hands on The power of root. Archiving files Backups, tar, cpio, dd, gzip. Hands on Working with tar files. Booting Linux and Editing Files Installing Boot Loaders, GRUB Legacy, GRUB 2, Alternative Boot Loaders, the Boot Process, Boot Messages, Runlevels and the Initialization Process, Runlevel Functions, Runlevel Services, Alternative Boot Systems , Upstart, system. Hands on Installing network services on Linux.

RF fundamentals training course description Radio Frequency engineering is an important yet often overlooked area in today's wireless world. This course provides a grounding in RF theory and practice for wireless, cellular and microwave systems. What will you learn Explain the basics of RF. Describe RF propagation and antenna principles. Calculate propagation losses and link budgets. Test RF systems. RF fundamentals training course details Who will benefit: Those working with wireless, cellular and microwave systems. Prerequisites: None. Duration 2 days RF fundamentals training course contents What is RF? Definition of RF, RF wave characteristics: Frequency, wavelength, power, phase, impedance, RF history, radio signals, frequency bands, safety issues, legal issues. RF systems Microwaves, cellular/mobile RF, WLANs, other fixed wireless networks, basic RF components. Hands on Building a basic WLAN network. RF system components Transmitters: Antennas: Isotropic, Dipole, how antennas achieve gain. Modulation Schemes, bandwidth, AM, FM, FSK, PSK, QAM, QPSK, interference, performance. Hands on Interference and performance. Multiple access schemes FDMA, CDMA, TDMA, CSMA/CA. Wireless systems Cellular (GSM, UMTS), Wifi, WiMax, others: GPS, DBS, RFID, radar, Bluetooth. Hands on cellular. Spread Spectrum technologies Spread spectrum benefits and disadvantages, how it works, Direct Sequence, Frequency Hopping, hybrids. RF propagation Models, link budget, Smith chart, RF matching with the Smith chart. cell capacity, tradeoffs: power vs. bandwidth, free space, reflection, diffraction, multipath cancellation, propagation prediction and measurement tools. Hands on Smith charts. RF testing Why power rather than voltage/current, units of power, dB and dBm power conversions. Test equipment: signal generators, power meters, network analysers, spectrum analysers. RF test setups: return loss, insertion loss. Hands on RF testing.

LTE optimization training course description This course gives delegates an understanding of the Key Performance Indicators used within the 3G LTE (4G) network environment. We investigate the 3GPP standards for KPIs (including TR 32.814, TS 32.410 & TS 32.455) these cover GERAN, UMTS & LTE environments. The course details the optimisation procedures and the use of Self optimisation, Selforganising & Self-healing equipment now being deployed across all releases of mobile networks. What will you learn Explain the RF optimisation flowchart. Describe the importance of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP). List many of the 3GPP recommended KPIs. Describe the concept of APN AMBR and UE AMBR within LTE. Describe the use of planning and optimisation computer tools. LTE optimization training course details Who will benefit: Anyone working with LTE. Prerequisites: Essential LTE Duration 2 days LTE optimization training course contents Introduction to the cellular environment The architecture, 2G (GSM), GPRS/EDGE, The NGMN (Next Generation Mobile Network), media gateway controller, 3GPP Rel99 the 3G introduction, HSPA deployments, 3G LTE (4G). Cellular network procedures GSM/GPRS call setup, GPRS data call setup, 3G UMTS data call setup, Data call (Voice over LTE) in LTE (using IMS), Circuit Switched Fall Back (CSFB) in LTE, IP packet session in LTE. Introduction to the standards The 3GPP specifications body, The numbering structure for KPIs, 2G KPIs, 3G/UMTS KPIs, 3G LTE KPIs, IMS KPIs. Introduction to the KPI definitions KPI definitions, accessibility KPIs, retainability KPIs, mobility KPIs, utilisation KPIs. In-depth overview of the air Interfaces GSM/GPRS FDMA & TDMA solution, 3G UMTS WCDMA solution, HSPA+ sharing spare power (Codes), The 3G LTE uplink & downlink interface explained, Initial attach procedures explained. Problem analysis Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Signal to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR), handover success rates, power adjustments, classification of coverage problems, weak coverage & coverage holes, lack of dominant cells, cross coverage, improper tilt settings, uplink/downlink imbalance, signal quality, Azimuths & tilts to reduce interference, Handover failure due to interference, Service drop causes. Mobile RF performance in 2G/3G Performance counters, KPIs, testing & measurement, Drive testing and survey, Data collection and post processing of data, LTE service optimization, bandwidth, poor coverage, Quality, optimization process, KPI optimization, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) applied to RF issues, optimization tools and software. Advanced LTE network planning & optimization LTE UE measurements (RSRP/RSRQ), LTE capacity planning, RF configuration parameters, LTE cell selection/reselection planning, LTE radio network KPIs, LTE user-centric KPIs, LTE network performance KPIs, LTE system utilization KPIs, LTE RF channel performance predictions, LTE channel information processing, LTE channel multiplexing, Physical layer and structure, MIMO in LTE, LTE resource plan LTE and Self-Organizing Networks (SON). Radio network optimization work flow Work flow, the existing network, Optimization team establishment and cluster division, Single site verification, Alarm check, Cell state check, Radio parameters check, Site verification, Statistics analysis, Coverage problem analysis. Mobile internet and QoS issues Cellular QoS reference models. How QoS impact on KPIs and measurements, Introduction to mobile internet, The concept of shared access technologies, Support for QoS in the WCDMA environment, The PDP context model, Supporting end-to-end QoS, EPS bearer concepts, Default EPS bearer, Dedicated EPS bearer, APN-AMBR, UE-AMBR.

Total STP training course description The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) dates from 1985. This course explores in depth how the protocol works and the implications this has on network performance. We also study STP variants including 802.1w (RSTP) and 802.1s (MSTP). What will you learn Explain how STP works. Explain how RSTP works. Explain how MSTP works. Troubleshoot STP and variants. Total STP training course details Who will benefit: Technical network staff. Prerequisites: Definitive Ethernet switching for engineers Duration 1 day Total STP training course contents STP What is 802.1D, what is STP, resilience, broadcast storms, forwarding and blocking, single path. Hands on Impact of broadcast storms, enabling disabling STP. Operation STP frames, BPDUs, root bridge election, blocked ports, root ports, designated ports. STP path costs. Hands on Analysing STP, troubleshooting implications. Topology changes Hello timer, Forward delay timer, max age timer, Topology Change Notification (TCN) BPDU. Hands on STP convergence. STP enhancements and tuning Bridge ID, Bridge priority, port priority, 30 second delay, Edge ports, PortFast, root guard, loop guard, BPDU guard. Hands on Root bridge positioning, improving STP convergence. RSTP 802.1w, Improvements, convergence times. RSTP bridge port roles, RSTP switch port states. Edge ports, link ports. Hands on RSTP configuration and convergence. VLANs and STP Access/untagged ports, trunk/tagged ports, PVST, PVST+, RPVST, MISTP, MSTP and 802.1s. MSTP BPDUs. Instances, Load balancing, impact on CPU. Hands on MSTP load balancing. Interoperability Regions, Virtual bridges, domains. Hands on STP, RSTP and MSTP interoperation.

IPsec training course description This hands on course focuses on IPsec VPNs. Rather than focusing on one implementation this course concentrates on the technologies and protocols of IPsec. Starting with an overview of the complete IPsec architecture the course then moves onto ESP packet analysis along with encryption and authentication provided. IKEv1 and IKEv2 are both covered in detail. Having covered IPsec with pre shared keys the course then moves onto IPsec with certificates followed by IPsec issues. The course is vendor neutral with hands on with both Cisco and Microsoft implementations. What will you learn Explain how IPsec works. Explain the role of AH, ESP and IKE. Configure IPsec. Troubleshoot IPsec. IPsec training course details Who will benefit: Technical staff working with IPsec. Prerequisites: Definitive IP VPNs for engineers. Duration 3 days IPsec training course contents What is IPsec? How to spell IPsec, IPsec is IP security, confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, replay protection, what is a VPN? Network layer security, IPsec and IPv4, IPsec and IPv6, the suite of protocols, the standard, IPsec RFCs, IPsec history. Hands on Analysis of 'normal' IP packets. IPsec architecture The IPsec protocols, AH vs ESP, Why two headers? transport mode, tunnel mode, Remote access VPNs, site to site VPNs, security associations, SA database, Security Parameters Index, implementations: Host tack, Bump in the Stack, Bump in the Wire. Hands on Configuring IPsec. AH What AH does, the stack, The AH header, What is authenticated? Device authentication. AH in transport mode, AH in tunnel mode. Hands on AH packet analysis. ESP What ESP does, the ESP header, ESP in transport mode, ESP in tunnel mode, ESP and SA, ESP and SPI. Hands on ESP packet analysis, policy configuration. IPsec encryption IPsec is a framework, standard algorithms, ESP keys, the role of IKE, key lifetimes, how IKE generates the keys, DES, 3DES, AES, cipher block chaining, counter mode, other encryption. Hands on Encryption configuration. IPsec authentication Authentication types, IPsec authentication, Authentication algorithms: MD5, keyed SHA-1, HMAC-MD5, HMAC-SHA-1, HMAC-RIPEMD, other authentication algorithms. Hands on Authentication configuration. IKE Internet Key Exchange, IKE and the SAD, the two phase negotiation, ISAKMP, ISAKMP header, pre shared keys, digital signatures, public key encryption, Diffie Hellman, proposals, counter proposals, nonces, identities, phase 1 negotiation: main mode, aggressive mode, base mode. Phase 2 negotiation: quick mode, new group mode. Hands on IKE packet analysis. More IKE PFS, IKE and dynamic addresses, XAUTH, hybrid authentication, CRACK, ULA, PIC. User level authentication. IKE renegotiation, heartbeats. Hands on Troubleshooting IPsec. IKEv2 The IKEv2 exchange, IKE_SA_INIT, IKE_AUTH, CREATE_CHILD_SA, IKEv2 packets, the informational exchange. Comparing IKev1 vs IKE v2. Hands on IKEv2 configuration and analysis. PKI What is PKI?, Digital certificates, Certificate authorities, CA servers, RA, VA, certificates, CA hierarchy, CRLs, certificate formats. Hands on installing and configuring certificate servers. IPsec issues NAT, IPsec overhead and fragmentation. Summary IPsec strengths and weaknesses. Where to get further information.

Securing Kubernetes training course description This course introduces concepts, procedures, and best practices to harden Kubernetes based systems and container-based applications against security threats. It deals with the main areas of cloud-native security: Kubernetes cluster setup, Kubernetes cluster hardening, hardening the underlying operating system and networks, minimizing microservices vulnerabilities, obtaining supply chain security as well as monitoring, logging, and runtime security. What will you learn Harden Kubernetes systems and clusters. Harden containers. Configure and use Kubernetes audit logs. Securing Kubernetes training course details Who will benefit: Technical staff working with Kubernetes Prerequisites: Kubernetes_for_engineers_course.htm Definitive Docker for engineers Duration 2 days Securing Kubernetes training course contents This course does not only deal with the daily security administration of Kubernetes-based systems but also prepares delegates for the official Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exams of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). Structure: 50% theory 50% hands on lab exercise Module 1: User and authorization management Users and service accounts in Kubernetes Authenticating users Managing authorizations with RBAC Module 2: Supply chain security Vulnerabilit checking for images Image validation in Kubernetes Reducing image footprint Secure image registries Module 3: Validating cluster setup and penetration testing Use CIS benchmark to review the security configuration of Kubernetes components. Modify the cluster components' configuration to match the CIS Benchmark. Penetration testing Kubernetes for known vulnerabilities. Module 4: System hardening Use kernel hardening tools Setup appropriate OS level security domains Container runtime sandboxes Limit network access Module 5: Monitoring and logging Configure Kubernetes audit logs Configure Audit Policies Monitor applications behaviour with Falco

Intro to containers training course description This course looks at the technologies of containers and microservices. The course starts with a look at what containers are, moving onto working with containers. Networking containers and container orchestration is then studied. The course finishes with monitoring containers with Prometheus and other systems. Hands on sessions are used to reinforce the theory rather than teach specific products, although Docker and Kubernetes are used. What will you learn Use containers. Build containers. Orchestrate containers. Evaluate container technologies. Intro to containers training course details Who will benefit: Those wishing to work with containers. Prerequisites: Introduction to virtualization. Duration 2 days Intro to containers training course contents What are containers? Virtualization, VMs, What are containers? What are microservices? Machine containers, application containers. Benefits. Container runtime tools Docker, LXC, Windows containers. Architecture, components. Hands on Installing Docker client and server. Working with containers Docker workflow, Docker images, Docker containers, Dockerfile, Building, running, storing images. Creating containers. Starting, stopping and controlling containers. Public repositories, private registries. Hands on Exploring containers. Microservices What are microservices? Modular architecture, IPC. Hands on Persistence and containers. Networking containers Linking, no networking, host, bridge. The container Network Interface. Hands on Container networking Container orchestration engines Docker swarm: Nodes, services, tasks. Apache Mesos: Mesos master, agents, frameworks. Kubernetes: Kubectl, master node, worker nodes. Openstack: Architecture, containers in OpenStack. Amazon ECS: Architecture, how it works. Hands on Setup and access a Kubernetes cluster. Managing containers Monitoring, logging, collecting metrics, cluster monitoring tools: Heapster. Hands on Using Prometheus with Kubernetes.

WANs training course description A concise overview course covering Wide Area Networks with particular emphasis on the WAN options available including the use of the Internet. What will you learn Choose and evaluate WAN technologies. Recognise the role of service providers. Describe the benefits of VPNs. Describe how the Internet can be used as a WAN. Describe the equipment needed to connect LANS to WANS. List the speeds of various WAN technologies. WANs training course details Who will benefit: Anyone, although the course is particularly aimed at non-technical personnel needing some knowledge of WANS. Prerequisites: Network fundamentals Duration 1 day WANs training course contents WANS WAN architecture, Common WAN terms, Core vs access, service providers, relationship with 7 layer model, WAN equipment, how to choose a WAN. Layer 1 Copper, phone lines, fibre, coaxial, satellite, wireless. Cabling to the building, CPE cabling, interfaces. Layer 2 Dial up vs. Dedicated vs. packet switched networks and when to use them. Packet switching vs. circuit switching. Point to point and point to multipoint. Dialup access technologies Modems, ISDN, BRI, PRI. Access with dedicated lines XDSL, leased lines. WAN services X.25, SMDS, Frame Relay, CIR, ATM, Internet, MANS, dark fibre and other services. Case study: Selecting WAN technologies. Service provider technologies MPLS, SDH, WDM, DWDM. Routers Network addressing, default gateways, routing tables, routing protocols. Internet architecture Service providers, ISPs, private peering, public peering, core WANs in the Internet. VPNs Private networks, public networks, What are VPNs?, benefits of VPNs, tunnelling, encryption, IPSec. Case study: Specifying WAN connectivity.

MySQL server admins training course description This MySQL Server administration course is designed for MySQL Server administrators who have a basic understanding of a MySQL database and a good working knowledge of SQL commands. The course provides an understanding of MySQL Architecture and practical experience in setting up, configuring and maintaining a MySQL server, backing up and recovering data and optimising query performance. This MySQL Server administration course also covers MySQL replication and its role in high availability and scalability. What will you learn Use MySQL Workbench. Install and configure a MySQL Server . Administer and tune a MySQL server. Configure log files and interpret error messages.. Secure the Server. Administer a replication topology. MySQL server admin training course details Who will benefit: Database administrators, Database developers and Technical consultants. Prerequisites: Introduction to MySQL Duration 5 days MySQL server admin training course contents Introduction to Oracle Application Express APEX concepts APEX main components Workspaces, database applications and websheet applications Creating a workspace The Workspace Administrator Upgrading APEX Logging into APEX Running an application SWL Workshop Use APEX to browse, create and modify objects Process ad hoc SQL statements Manage scripts in APEX Create, run and save SQL queries Build a database application Application components Create an application Create an application from a spreadsheet Create reports Create reports using wizards Edit report attributes Add links to reports Create a link to a printer-friendly version of a report Save and print reports in different formats Using files Uploading images Creating cascading stylesheet files Uploading static files Adding an Image as an application logo Adding a reference to a Javascript file Pages and regions Web form behaviour in APEX Create a form based on a table Create a form based on a procedure Create a form with a report Create a tabular form Format a form Locking in APEX forms Creating lists of values Overview of application express shared Components Dynamic and static lists of values Create a dynamic list of values Create a static list of values Use a list of values to control data in a report Create a cascading list of values Items and buttons Understand the different Types of items Create items Understand and edit item attributes Use Javascript with item Manipulate items in tabular forms Add dynamic items to a report Create and edit buttons Page Processing Page rendering and page processing Create computations Validate input data Process Data Understand application branching Create conditional branches Shared components Overview of application express navigation components Manage parent and standard tabs Create navigation bar entries Create and use lists and list items Manage breadcrumbs Create shortcuts Shared component subscription User interface defaults Display dynamic content Filter reports with dynamic queries Create charts with a wizard Format charts Create calendars Add links to calendars Create hierarchical trees State and debugging Understand session state Set a session state value Clear the session state Review the session state Review the messages in debug mode Enabling feedback Managing feedback and team development Themes and templates Switch to a different theme View existing templates Understand and manage templates Create a new template Add references to cascading stylesheet and Javascript files Dynamic actions and plug-in components Identify plug-in components and their types Plug In a component Create dynamic actions Use a plug-in in a dynamic action Building website applications Websheet applications and their components Create a websheet application Enable SQL and PL/SQL in a websheet application Add sections and pages to a websheet application Add links on a websheet page Add a data grid to a websheet application Create SQL reports ion websheet applications Add annotations to a websheet application Implementing security Authentication and authorization Provide an authentication scheme Create an authorization scheme using access control Enable and configure session state protection Deploy an appliction Define supporting objects Package an application Export an application Import an application Install supporting objects Administer Apex workspaces Manage workspaces and users Request a schema or storage Purge session state Monitor developer activity log Monitor workspace activity View activity reports Import a workspace Utility programs Import and export data Generate DDL statements View objects reports

LAN training course description A concise overview course covering Local Area Networks with particular emphasis on the use of Ethernet and Wireless LANS. As well as explaining buzzwords we cover how the technology works at a simple level. After defining LANs the course moves onto Ethernet and switching also covering VLANs. WiFi is then covered, with coverage of 802.11 standards and frequencies along with integrating WiFi with Ethernet. The course then covers routers and their role in connecting networks and the course finishes with a comparison of Ethernet vs WiFi and when to use them. What will you learn Describe how Ethernet works (in simple terms) and when to use Ethernet. Explain the difference between a switch and a router. Describe how WiFi works (in simple terms). Describe the role of Access points. Evaluate wireless technologies and when to use them. List the speeds of various LAN technologies. LAN training course details Who will benefit: Sales staff, managers and other non technical staff. Prerequisites: None. Duration 1 day LAN training course contents LANS What is a LAN? LAN standards, LAN choices, choosing the media, copper, UTP, cat5e, fibre, RF, bandwidth speeds, link aggregation, Full/half duplex. Ethernet What is Ethernet? 802.3, parts of Ethernet, Ethernet evolution, MAC addresses, frames, broadcasts. Ethernet switches What are switches, switches versus hubs, how switches work, ways to configure switches, Loops, STP. VLANs What are VLANs? Why have VLANs, impact of VLANs, Tagging (aka trunking), 802.1Q Wireless LANS Type of wireless LAN, RF frequencies, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, others, interference, standards, 802.11 and variants, CSMA/CA. Wireless LANS NICs, Access points, integration with Ethernet, multiple access points, mesh networks, WiFi security. Interconnecting LANs Routers, connecting networks, interconnecting VLANs, IP addressing, Layer 3 switches. Summary WiFi vs Ethernet.