Seminars on telecommunications:

Broadband, Telecom, Datacom and Networking for Non-Engineers is a three-day modular course.

Thousands of people from organizations ranging from Cisco, Intel, Qualcomm, Microsoft, the CIA, IRS, FAA and US Army to Oneida Tableware and the SF Giants who needed to be more effective in understanding and dealing with telecom and networking technology have benefited from this course.

The content, its order, our analogies and explanations have been refined over the course of more than 20 years.
    We start at the beginning of the story, progress through it in a logical order, and finish at the end.
    We bust the buzzwords, explain the jargon, and the ideas and concepts behind the jargon.
    Covering the topics in a systematic way, we build structured knowledge that lasts a lifetime.

This core training - and our superb instructors - consistently receive rave reviews on evaluations.

Many attendees tell us that this is training they wish they'd had years ago!
You'll gain key concept-level knowledge that you can't get on the job, from magazines or vendors.

The first module covers broadband, IP packet network fundamentals, the Public Switched Telephone Network, the telecom business, the internet as a business, carriers, and digitization of media… the groundwork for understanding everything.

In the part two of the course, we focus on the three main technologies used to transmit information from one location to another which we group into wireless, fiber and copper. You'll learn about mobile network components and operations, the wireless spectrum, 4G LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, fixed wireless broadband home internet and satellites. We cover optical basics, networks configured with point-to-point fibers using Optical Ethernet, fiber to the premise, in the core and metro, and wave-division multiplexing. We round out the discussion with copper-wire technologies: POTS and DSL on twisted pair, T1, Hybrid Fiber-Coax cable TV systems and the categories of LAN cables.

In the third part, we cover the equipment, connected by the wireless, fiber and copper explained in Part 2, to form networks, and the purpose and place of each. You'll learn where and how physical connections are made for PSTN phone calls, CLEC services and for Internet traffic.

The final part of the course is focused on IP networking and MPLS. We start with the OSI Reference Model explaining its layers and providing a structure for discussion: what the layers are, what a layer is, the functions of each layer, and the standard protocols for each layer. Then we discuss Layer 2: broadcast domains, Ethernet, 802 standards and VLANs. Next, Layer 3: IP addresses, IP routers, DHCP, Network Address Translation, public and private addresses and IPv6. We cover MPLS, the core traffic management system, and how it is used to implement VPNs, service integration, classes of service and traffic aggregation. We conclude with a roundup of technologies, a top-down review and peek into the future of telecommunications.

Voice over IP, SIP, Security, 5G and IoT is a two-day course covering VoIP and SIP, a extensive survey of security risks and measures, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT), and finishing with cool examples of applications like Smart Cities and Platooning on Interstates.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of Voice over IP plus the components of Voice over IP phone systems and what they do. We demystify Voice over IP by explaining how voice is packetized and then re-created at the other end, and how packets are moved from end-to-end… and what it sounds like when packets go missing.

We cover Internet Voice over IP for individuals, and business Voice over IP phone systems: softswitches, call managers, cloud services, hosted PBXs and SIP trunking. We finish with carrier connections, and then a "final exam" in groups, open-book, to confirm your knowledge.

Telecommunications allows information transfer and has many benefits, but can also be used for malicious attacks.

We begin with an overview of all things security, and identification of valuable targets. We update your knowledge of security risks and measures, beginning with phishing and extortion messages, then network security, ports and firewalls, and Public Key Encryption. Encryption leads to a discussion of Internet VPNs and SD-WANs, digital signatures, digital certificates, and Wi-Fi security. We finish this extensive part with viruses, trojans and exploits.

We finish the course with upcoming technologies 5G wireless and IoT. The Internet of Things means everything from self-driving trucks to toasters to human brain implants will eventually be online.

Understanding Wireless is a two-day private course, covering today's wireless technologies designed to get your team up-to-speed and fill in the gaps - ideal for anyone wanting to enhance their productivity and knowledge base.

Check out the Certified Wireless Analyst online version including the TCO CWA certification available to anyone.

For every seminar, the material is updated for the latest technologies such as 3.5 GHz fixed wireless and 5G.

The course can be customized to emphasis mostly mobility or mostly Wi-Fi based on your needs.

You get two days of training to put in place a strong based of understanding of the latest wireless technologies, plus a course book for each person of over 300 pages.

The course begins with radio fundamentals and radio spectrum, then cellular and mobile communications, then Wi-Fi and other fixed wireless systems.

Fundamentals of VoIP & IP Telecom Networks is a 3-day vendor-independent course covering all fundamental concepts and technologies of VoIP, SIP, SIP trunking, VoIP telephone systems and telecom neworks.

With numerous case studies and in-class exercises, your team will learn about today's broadband converged IP network, how a VoIP call is set up and carried end-to-end, what SIP is, how an organization saves money using softswitches and SIP trunking, who supplies what and how it works together, best practices and more.

You receive three days of training with our top-ranked instructor, a detailed course book for each person of over 280 pages, plus bonus CVA online courses and Certified VoIP Analyst certification.

We begin with a comprehensive high-level introduction to today's telecom network. We cover the concepts of broadband and convergence, the parts of the network, and the three key technologies - Ethernet, IP and MPLS - what they are and do. We explain how carriers implement a service end-to-end, and identify the standard services available today for residential, business and wholesale.

Next, we demystify the jargon and buzzwords and explain in plain English the fundamentals of VoIP: how voice is communicated in IP packets, what each component of a VoIP phone system, like softswitches and gateways, does, and protocols like SIP.

We cover the key technologies and concepts of IP networks. We review basic circuit configurations, how MAC frames are used to communicate IP packets, how packets are relayed from one circuit to another by routers, and how traffic management is implemented using MPLS.

We review the many flavors of VoIP for individuals, starting with Internet telephony: computer-computer VoIP over the Internet and various types of Internet-Public telephone network VoIP. We will trace a VoIP telephone call from a laptop over the Wi-Fi to the Internet, through a mobile network operator and finally to a cellphone in the class, identifying all the components, circuits, buildings and companies involved end-to-end.

Finally, we will review VoIP implementation options and the pros and cons for organizations including using SIP Trunking to replace expensive PBX trunks; getting VoIP from the phone company; renting a Hosted PBX; buying a call manager or softswitch; and cloud solutions.

Here, you will learn exactly what packetized voice is, how it works, and the standards used. You will learn about the factors which affect sound quality, how packets can be “lost” in a network, and practical tips and recommendations for ensuring success.

Next, we explain what is entailed in setting up a VoIP phone call; what SIP is, how it works and how it fits in with softswitches and call managers; and demystify jargon like proxy, registration and location servers.

Finally, we look at how to connect an organization's in-building VoIP telephone system to the world. We review how PBX trunks and ISDN PRI service were used and how a gateway can connect a modern VoIP system to PBX trunks or how SIP trunking can replace PBX trunks. Alternatively, we examine how an existing data VPN or the Internet can be used instead of SIP Trunking and how to choose a carrier.

The last day is focused on understanding modern IP-based telecom networking. We begin with the OSI 7-Layer Reference Model which provides a framework for the discussion. Then we cover the basic principles, LANS and Ethernet, MAC addresses, MAC frames, broadcast domains, LAN switches and VLANs. Next, you will learn how IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are organized and allocated, and how they are used to route packets for calls. We cover DHCP, public vs. private addresses, static vs. dynamic addresses, and NAT. Finally we show how MPLS is used to guarantee packet communications between locations and define VPN, Class of Service, Quality of Service, and Service Level Agreement. We finish with a discussion of Internet VPNs and SD-WAN.