Intro to Networks Syllabus & Assignments
General Course Information

Instructor:  Ed Sloan
Office:    Classroom
Office Hours:
E-Mail: esloan@hccfl.edu

Textbook: Dean, Tamara, Network +: A Guide to Networks,  4th Edition, Course Technology, Inc, 2006, ISBN 0-619-21743-x

Course Objectives

The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to networking technologies and prepare students to pass CompTIA's broad-based, vendor-independent networking certification exam, Network+.  This course covers a wide range of materials about networking, from careers in networking to local area networks, protocols, topologies, transmission media, and security.  It not only introduces a variety of concepts, but also discusses in-depth the most significant aspects of networking, such as the TCP/IP protocol suite.  In addition to explaining concepts, the course uses a multitude of real world examples of networking issues from a professional's standpoint, making it a practical preparation for the real world.

E-Mail
Students are asked to communicate with the instructor through the use of WebCT or at esloan@hccfl.edu

WebCT will be used as a course management too, with tests, and other assignments available online.

Grading and Evaluation Criteria

40% of the grade is based on a 3 tests, each covering 5 chapters.
20% of the grade will come from a final exam, which will be cumulative.
20% of the grade is based on completing the end of Ch. projects assignments and Case Studies.
20% of the grade is based on completing and presenting the FINAL class project - documenting a LAN/WAN and preparing a power point presentation.

CGS 1550 Course Assignments

Topics
Chapter Lecture
Case Projects
Hands-on Projects
Exams
Week 1 -        01/11 Syllabus & Intro
Ch. 1
Project 1-3
Week 2-    01/18    Networking Standards/OSI Model
Ch. 2
Troubleshoot and explain OSI model problem due next week
Week 3          01/25
Network Protocols
Ch. 3
1st National Bank network consultation.
Week 4           02/01
Networking Media
Ch. 4
Design a cabling system
Week 5           02/08
 Network Architecture
Ch. 5
Design and troubleshoot LANs
Exam, Ch 1- 5
Week 6           02/15 Networking Hardware
Ch. 6
Troubleshoot Network Hardware Problems
Week 7           02/22 WANS and Remote Connectivity
Ch. 7
Design a WAN and recommend remote connectivity technology
Week 8         03/01
Network Operating Systems and WinNT
Ch. 8
Design and troubleshoot a Win NT LAN
Week 9         03/08
NetWare Based Networking
Ch. 9
Design and troubleshoot a NetWare LAN
Spring Break 03/15
No Assignments
Week 10       03/22
Networking with UNIX and TCP/IP
Ch. 10 and 11
Design a UNIX LAN and troubleshoot TCP/IP problems
Exam Ch 6-10
Week 11         03/29
Troubleshooting and Maintaining a Network
Ch. 12 and 13
Recommend solutions for a problematic network and recommend network upgrades
Week 12         04/05
Ensuring Integrity and Availability
Ch. 14
Address fault tolerance and disaster recovery for a network
Week 13       04/12
Network Security
Ch. 15
Assess and improve security on a network
Week 14       04/19
Project Presentation
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS OF LANS - DOCUMENTATION AND POWERPOINT.
Week 15    04/26

Review for Final
Exam Ch 11- 15
Week 16         05/03
Final Exam

Final Project:
Each student shall fully document an existing LAN or WAN.  Minimum size shall be 20 nodes.  This will require you to locate a LAN/WAN and interview the network administrator. This can be one located where you work,  by referral, or boldly pick up the phone and call an organization and explain what you are doing. Don't be surprised if some individuals you contact beg off as too busy. This is the case many times.

The end result of your project shall be a presentation prepared in MS PowerPoint or other presentation software.
This presentation will be given in class at the end of the semester.

Your presentation shall include:
Company Description and location
Topology Diagram including all components from the OSI model layers 1 - 4.
Diagram of the WAN connectivity including cabling and description of the carrier service.
Description of servers used
Software Implemented including protocols
Management tools
Common problems and what is done to correct them.