This document provides an introduction to a data communications networking course. It outlines the course schedule which covers topics like Ethernet, WAN technologies, IP networking and more over 5 days. It also discusses course materials, prerequisites, and objectives which include gaining an understanding of modern datacom technologies. The document provides details on standardization bodies and the OSI reference model, describing each layer and how data is transmitted through the protocol stack. It also covers physical media types like coaxial cable, twisted pair, fiber and their characteristics. Standards for physical layer interfaces like RS-232, RS-422 and V-series are also introduced.