The Bits and Bytes of Networking

After finally completing the first course I was ready to start the next one in the Google IT Support Professional certificate; the bits and bytes of networking. I was looking forward to commencing this course as I feel I will really begin to learn some technical knowledge here.

The first module was an introduction to networking and consisted of the following learning objectives:

• To describe how the TCP/IP five layer network model works
• To identify basic networking devices
• To label each of the five layers in the TCP/IP network model
• To describe how the physical layer works
• To describe how the data link layer works

I began my studies by learning the concept of the five layer network model and each of the layers it consists of; the physical layer, data link layer, network layer, transport layer and the application layer. I learnt about some basic devices used in networking and how copper or fibre optic cables are used to connect hubs & switches, utilising duplexing to transfer data and thus forming the physical layer of a network.

Next, I got stuck in to the data link layer of a network, understanding how ethernet protocols and MAC addresses are used to provide software with the means to send or receive data. I learnt that ethernet solves the issue of single collision domain by using CSMA CD to determine when channels are free to transmit data. I also learnt that there are three types of message that can be sent; unicast, multicast or broadcast and that broadcast messages generally use the MAC address of FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF.

Finally, I was faced with my first ever ethernet frame, dissecting it to learn about each of the sections that make one up. These include the preamble, source and destination MAC addresses, VLAN header, ether type and the actual payload. I also learnt about the importance of the Frame Check Sequence section at the end and how it uses CRC to generate a checksum number, ensuring the integrity of data that is sent.

Overall, I've enjoyed this module as it's really started to get me thinking about how a network is actually set up and operates which isn't something I've ever considered before. It was also good to begin to understand how data is physically transmitted across a network with the use of ethernet. I can't wait to get on to the next module which is all about the third layer; the network layer!

Dave

Troubleshooting

I made it to the final module of technical support fundamentals! I'm definitely looking forward to moving on to some more advanced material!! This module was all about troubleshooting and the learning objectives were:

• To be able to effectively troubleshoot an issue using the troubleshooting methods learned
• To be able to empathise with a user and utilise soft skills for an excellent customer experience
• To understand why documentation is an important aspect of an IT role

I was introduced to the best practices for troubleshooting when it comes to IT issues. These include to ask questions, isolate the problem, use system logs to follow cookie crumbs and attempting the quickest remediation steps first. I also learnt the importance of not going into auto pilot or not looking for the root cause of an issue.

The next section was focused on customer service and featured a number of videos of various scenarios and interactions, displaying both positive and negative exchanges. I feel as though I already have very strong customer service skills as a result of working in the hospitality industry for numerous years and in varying roles. 

Finally I learnt the importance of documentation in IT and how ticketing systems are used to log issues and updates, as well as steps and procedures that are used to remedy problems encountered. This is a very useful aspect as it allows the solutions to be audited and process documentation to be created.

With the completion of this module and my final piece of graded work I am pleased to say I passed with 100% and was awarded with a certificate for the whole course...

https://coursera.org/verify/G3SUL6SRQHSA  

Only four more courses to complete and I'll have my first full IT related certification! Then I can get stuck in to the Google Cybersecurity cert, the proper juicy stuff!!

Dave

Software

Unfortunately I haven't given as much time to studying as I'd liked to have done lately, purely through a combination of my work commitments and spending quality time with my daughter. It has been nice to have a chance to reflect on everything I've been learning so far, however I'm glad to get back to it...

The fifth module in this course was to do with software and had the following objectives:

• To be able to install software on Windows and Linux
• To understand main components of software & how they work
• To describe how computers use instructions to process input and produce output
• To describe how a program breaks down into instructions for the CPU

I first began by learning how software is built by developers using coding, scripting and programming. I learnt that there are different types of software including application software, system software and firmware that each serve a different purpose. I also discovered that it is through the use of programming languages that software is able to run on any hardware.

Next I explored how a program translates a desired action into instructions that the CPU is able to understand. I learnt how interpreted language uses scripts to interpret the CPU instructions before sending them through a compiler, forming an assembly language in code that the computer can understand.

Finally, I was able to utilise Qwiklabs again, getting a chance to install, update and remove some software from both Windows and Linux operating systems. Overall, I feel like this module was very brief and although I met the learning objectives, I didn't actually learn too much.

On to the final module of the first course...troubleshooting!

Dave

Networking

The fourth module in this course was networking, or at least a brief introduction into it...the learning objectives were as follows:

• To recognise the positive and negative impacts of the Internet such as privacy & security
• To understand the basics of computer networking
• To understand the basics of how data travels across the Internet

To begin with I learnt the basics of networking, including that the Internet is just a giant network of interconnected client or server computers. I learnt that data is sent in packets and that both an IP address and MAC address are required to enable the transfer of data.

I was introduced to networking hardware, learning that computers connect to a router using either ethernet, fibre optic or WiFi and that a router is used to connect different devices together & route traffic. It routes traffic by making use of network protocols such as TCP/IP which are responsible for delivering packets and ensuring they are delivered reliably. I also learnt how the Web utilises DNS - an internet protocol that uses domain names to map to specific IP addresses.

I then explored some history of the Internet, from the first computer to the creation of the World Wide Web, and the impact it has had in enabling globalisation. I also learnt the Internet is continuously evolving in smarter ways as can be seen with the Internet of Things, however with this comes concerns surrounding privacy and security as cyberattacks continue to become more sophisticated.

I found this module quite engaging with regards to learning the basic principles of networks and how they function although it was not as in depth as I was expecting...I guess that's because it's just a set up for the next course in my certification - the bits and bytes of networking! I'm looking forward to this entire course as I feel this is where my knowledge will really start to grow!!

Dave

Operating Systems

I feel like I'm starting to get into the swing of things with studying again. If I'm honest I didn't fully know how I'd get on having been out of any sort of academic learning for over 10 years but I have to say I'm enjoying applying myself to something new. However, I'm aware it's still early days with the truly complex material a long way off!

Anyway, back on topic and on to the third module - Operating Systems. The objectives of this module were:

• To know the main components that make up an operating system
• To understand the boot process of an operating system
• To be able to install an operating system
• To create a file using the Windows and Linux operating systems

As part of this module I learnt the two main components of an operating system; the kernel and the user space. I learnt the kernel talks directly to hardware and is responsible for managing processes, files, memory and I/O, whereas the user space can be interacted with either through a GUI or a shell. I also now know that it's essential to understand commands in order to use shells such as Bash on Linux, as well as that logs record system events and can be used to identify errors.

The boot process was also explained to me from the computer being turned on and initialising the BIOS, up until the point the operating system loads the kernel to begin system processes. I then learnt how to install an operating system, the various installation media that can be used and how virtual machines can be created using applications such as Virtual Box.

Finally, I learnt how to install Ubuntu, a popular distro using the Linux operating system, and how to then create a file using commands in the terminal. As part of this I completed some lab-based exercises using Qwiklabs which I found very useful to get practical experience.

In whole I found this module quite short and not too engaging; it was good to gain some basic knowledge around operating systems but the highlight for me was probably being introduced to Qwiklabs and seeing how I will be utilising it in my future studies. The next module is networking which I'm looking forward to as I know it will be a critical foundation for everything else to come.

Dave

Hardware

 

The second module in this course was hardware and the learning objectives were:

• To describe the main components that make up a computer and how they work together
• To understand how the CPU takes instructions & executes them
• To describe how binary data physically travels through a computer

In this module I learnt about the hardware components that make up a computer, including the CPU, RAM, motherboard, hard drive and the power supply. I learnt how programs utilise the RAM and how the CPU gets information from the RAM, as well as storing data in caches.

I discovered that CPU's work in clock cycles by connecting to a clock wire to keep operations in sync. I also learnt how binary data travels around a computer using wires and voltages. I got a more in depth understanding of each component, as well as some information on other hardware such as mobiles and peripherals and their ports.

As part of this module I learnt how to assemble a computer from the ground up and have since bought all the components & built my own, which I am now writing this blog post on! This was very fun and I enjoyed being hands on, I definitely learn more efficiently by being practical...

Whilst building my computer I also had my first encounter with a BIOS, learning its purpose in initialising hardware and getting operating systems up and running!

Overall, I found the information in this module very useful in expanding my knowledge surrounding hardware and how it works, + I can now build a computer which is not something I could do last week so 🙌.

Dave