Introduction & Concepts
Objective
- Implement secure design principles in network architectures.
- Secure network components.
- Implement secure communication channels according to design.
Recent updates in Domain 4 stress the assessment and implementation of secure design principles.
Key Concepts in Network Architectures:
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Micro-segmentation: Splits the data center into logical segments, enhancing security and boosting efficiency.
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Software Defined Networks (SDN): A flexible and programmable network technology fostering efficient resource management.
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Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network (VXLAN): Employs encapsulation for network virtualization, addressing scalability challenges.
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Encapsulation: A method wherein data packets are enveloped with protocol data.
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Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN): An advanced strategy for optimizing WAN management and functioning.
Miscellaneous Concepts
While the following concepts are vital within this domain, they didn't neatly fit into the specific sections presented earlier. Hence, they've been collated here for comprehensive understanding.
Analog vs. Digital
In the realm of signal processing and communication, data can be represented in two fundamental ways: analog and digital. Each has its own distinct characteristics and advantages, depending on the context of its use.
Analog
- Communications: Occur via a continuous signal. This varies in elements like frequency, amplitude, phase, and voltage.
- This continuous variation creates a wave shape.
- Issues:
- Analog signals can get corrupted due to attenuation over long distances and interference.
Digital
- Communications: Employ a discontinuous electrical signal. This is characterized by state changes or on-off pulses. This leads to more reliability over extreme distances and amid interference.
- Binary Representation: Digital signals use voltage states.
- Voltage "on" signifies a binary '1'.
- Voltage "off" signifies a binary '0'.
- These on-off pulses result in a stream of binary data.