111 - 238 CCNA 2: Routers and Routing Basics v3.1 Instructor Guide – Module 10 Copyright © 2004, Cisco Systems, Inc.
Module 10: Intermediate TCP/IP Overview
Module 10 is a good place to have the student compare IP and TCP. It is essential for the
students to understand that IP is connectionless and unreliable, while TCP is connection-
oriented and reliable. In this section, the students will gain an understanding of the transport
layer ports that allows for the full communications process between two hosts. The following
objectives will be covered:
• Multiple conversations between hosts
• Ports used for services and clients
• Port numbering and well known ports
• Comparison of MAC addresses, IP addresses, and ports
Consider the use of network analysis or protocol sniffing software such as Fluke Protocol
Inspector to analyze the operation of TCP on live networks.
Module 10 Caution
TCP was introduced in CCNA 1 but there is much more detail in this section. Students need to
understand TCP. TCP ports and sessions are the foundations of network performance,
control, and security. This is very challenging material for students who are still trying to
separate the functions of Layer 2 headers, Layer 3 headers, and Layer 4 headers. The
numbering of bytes in the back-and-forth exchange of SYN and ACK in TCP is difficult to
understand. Work out examples for students.
Students who complete this module should be able to perform the following tasks:
• Describe TCP and its functions
• Describe TCP synchronization and flow control
• Describe UDP operation and processes
• Identify common port numbers
• Describe multiple conversations between hosts
• Identify ports used for services and clients
• Describe port numbering and well known ports
• Understand the differences and the relationship between MAC addresses, IP
addresses, and port numbers