Course Syllabus
NETWORK+
Networking
Fundamentals
Dominican
University/Knowledge Alliance Network+ Course
A
college-level preparation course leading towards the CompTIA Network+ ™ Certification
that provides three (3) college credits or four (4) Continuing Education Units
Prepared: April, 2002
Prepared by: Nelson R.
Herron, Ph.D., MCSE, MCSE+I, CCNP,
CCDP, Net+
Dominican
University/Knowledge Alliance
Mandatory Materials
Suggested Web Sites
Schedule
Delivery Format
Reading Assignments, Assignments
Due, and Exam Schedule
PERFORMANCE-BASED LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Exams
Grading
This college-level course provides a foundation in Networking Technology and Networking Practices for students studying to become Network+ ™ Certified Professionals. This course is a prerequisite to all Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), and CISCO CCNA and CCNP courses. This course is intended to be the second information technology class that students attend following A+ PC Operating Systems and Hardware.
The Network+ Networking Fundamentals course is designed to provide the student with the basic networking competencies expected of a computer support professional with 18-24 months of experience. Specifically, the student will acquire basic knowledge of networking topologies, network operating systems, fault tolerance, networking media and connectors, cabling, routers, gateways, NIC cards, hubs, switches, bridges, and remote connectivity. Students study the 7 layers of the OSI Reference Model, identify the purpose and function of each of these layers, and recognize the physical equipment operating at each layer, the engineering specifications applicable to each layer, and common networking protocols at each layer. The course emphasizes the TCP/IP protocol suite used in the internet. Students will also learn standard networking practices and SOP’s for network installations including administrative and test accounts, passwords, IP addresses, IP configurations, environmental factors affecting computer network design and installation, interconnecting network components, applying vendor’s software patches, upgrading software, following a systematic approach to troubleshooting connectivity problems, identifying and resolving hardware problems and resolving configuration errors. During the course, students will test cables, install and upgrade operating systems and apply service packs, network computers, establish user accounts and permissions, configure NIC cards and protocols, and create various subnet masks.
This course is intended as the second course of study in the IT Certification programs. The prerequisite for this course is the “A+” PC Operating Systems and Hardware course or equivalent knowledge including some experience with Windows 95/98/ME, NT 4.0, or Windows 2000/XP.
At the end of the course, students will be able to install and configure Local Area Networks (LANs) using a systematic approach to network design, industry-standard networking components, and Microsoft operating systems. Students will also be able to diagnose and resolve network connectivity and access issues. In addition to these pedagogical issues and hands-on skills, this course prepares the student for the vendor-neutral CompTIA Network+ Certified Networking Professional Exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, the student will receive the Network+ certification confirming that the student possesses skills appropriate for PC networking support professionals with 18-24 months field experience.
Mandatory Materials
Network+ Vols. I & II (Version 3.07), / ComputerPREP, Inc. / 2001 / Part Number rd100501
Optional Materials – Suggested
Reading List
Interconnection, Second Edition: Bridges, Routers, Switches, and Internetworking Protocols
Radia Perlman/ Addison-Wesley
/ 2000 / ISBN 0-201-63448-1
The
Switch Book: The Complete Guide to LAN Switching Technology
Rich Seifert / John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. / 2000 / ISBN 0-471-34586-5
Computer Networks: A
Systems Approach
Larry Peterson, et al / Morgan Kaufmann / 1999 / 1558605142 / 2nd
Teach Yourself
TCP/IP in 24 Hours
Matt Hayden / Sams
/ 1998 / 0672312484
Network+ Exam Prep :
Learn Multi-Vendor Networking from the Exam Perspective
Melissa Craft, et al / Coriolis Group / 1999 / 1576104125 / Bk&Cd Rom
MCSE Training Kit,
Networking Essentials Plus, Third Edition
Microsoft Corporation (Edit.) / Microsoft Press / 1999 / 157231902X / 3
Network + Practice
Tests Exam Cram
Robert Gradante / Coriolis Group / 1999 / 1576104842 / Bk&Cd Rom
Suggested Web Sites:
www.bookpool.com (for materials)
www.amazon.com (for comparisons)
www.CompTIA.org (for Network+ exam objectives)
www.2test.com (for Sylvan Prometric testing sites)
www.vue.com (for Vue Enterprises testing sites)
www.transcender.com (practice exams)
Real-World Resources:
Stacy’s Bookstore, Market St., San Francisco
Border’s Books, Emeryville Market, Emeryville
Barnes & Noble, various
locations
Dominican
University offers its IT students access to online test preparation tools
created by SelfTest Software. SelfTest
practice tests are web-based tools that allow students to practice their
knowledge and test-taking skills online prior to attempting the actual
certification exams. SelfTest should be
used as a measure of a student’s preparedness and to identify areas where the
student needs additional study. During
the class, the instructor will provide a registration number to each student
for the Network+ practice exam. To use
this access key, the student will enter the Knowledge Alliance website
(www.kalliance.com), create a login and password, and provide the SelfTest key
number. After the initial login, the
student will have unlimited use of the testing tool for 6 months.
Nelson R. Herron, Ph.D., M.A., MCSE+I/MCSE, CCNP, CCDP, Net+
Phone: 510-235-6983
E-mail: nelsonrherron@earthlink.net
The class will meet Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6-10 pm for 10 sessions. (40 class hours). Break times will be negotiated at the first class meeting.
Classes will be a combination of lecture and lab exercises. The course will develop many ideas based on using packet capture software. These exercises will run simultaneously with the lecture. Students will perform additional exercises after the lecture portion of the class. The lecture will cover the topics significant topics in detail, roughly paralleling the text assignments. Students are requested and expected to ask questions from the assigned readings and the instructor will clarify concepts. Because there is a lot of material to cover, the lectures will cover only the most important material in the topics at hand.
To make class time more productive, it is imperative that the student read assignments before attending class.
The
following are the reading assignments, assignment due dates, and exam schedules
for each class meeting.
|
Date |
Reading |
Topics |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #1 |
Introductions Math Review Lesson #1 |
Basic Math and Binary Concepts Internet Overview Install Packet Capture Software |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #2 |
Lesson #2 Lesson #3 Lesson #4 |
Network Basics Topologies, NOSs, Clients, Directory Services The OSI Model OSI Model and associated Protocols LAN/WAN and Network Devices LANs, WANs, internet Broadband, Baseband Media, Environmental Factors Devices: Hubs, Bridges/Switches, Routers |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #3 |
Lesson #5 Lesson #6 Assignment #1Due |
The Data Link Layer MAC addresses, Ethernet,
Token Ring IEEE 802 Specifications
(MAC and LLC) WAN Carriers TCP/IP IP: IP, ARP, OSPF,
EIGRP TCP: UDP, TCP, ICMP, Ports |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #4 |
Lesson #7 Lesson #8 |
IP Addressing Network Classes/Ranges, Network Masks, CIDR,
Reserved & APIPA addresses Routing Routed/Routing Protocols,
Frame/Packet Operations, Static vs. Dynamic
Routing Install Win2000 Server |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #5 |
Lesson #9 Lesson #10 Assignment #2 Due |
TCP/IP Standard Utilities Ping, Trace Route, NSLookup Servers on the Network File, DNS, DHCP, Web, FTP, Directory Install MS Server Management Tools |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #6 |
Lesson #11 Lesson #12 Midterm Exam (Take Home) |
Name Resolution DNS, WINS IP Address Assignment BootP, DHCP, Dynamic DNS |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #7 |
Lesson #13 Lesson #14 Mid-Term Exam Due |
Remote Access Remote Access Protocols Examining Remote Connection Options Dial-Up Networking User Management Peer- vs User- Access Creating Users, Groups, Shares Managing Permissions |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #8 |
Lesson #15 Lesson #16 |
Network
Printing Printer Servers, Queues, Shares Data/Operations Protection Baselines, Fault Tolerance,
Backups |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #9 |
Lesson #17 Lesson #18 Assignment #3 Due |
Network Security Security Models, Threats, Auditing Viruses, Worms, Hackers Implementing Network Security Password Security Data Encryption (Local, Network, I’net) Firewalls and Proxy Servers Network Address Translation |
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting #10 |
Lesson #19 Lesson #20 Final Exam |
Maintaining the Network Network Documentation/Change Control Patches and other Software Upgrades Troubleshooting the Network Exploring Troubleshooting Models Identifying Troubleshooting Tools |
|
|
|
|
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
· Describe the purpose of networking protocols and networking in general.
· Identify features of various NOSs and the clients used to access them.
· Describe the OSI reference model and its relationship to network activities.
· Describe components, functions, and protocols relating to these OSI layers:
o Physical Layer
o Data Link Layer
o Network Layer
o Transport Layer
· Describe the function of the Session layer of the OSI model.
· Explain how data is transmitted over a network.
· Explain the concepts of the TCP/IP protocol suite and use a TCP/IP network.
· Explain and use TCP/IP addresses and subnets.
· Describe the requirements for remote network access.
· Explain the need for and ways to implement network security and fault tolerance.
· Describe the types of information required prior to installing or updating an NOS.
· Explain ways to monitor and manage a network.
· Describe a systematic approach for troubleshooting network problems.
Exams
The student will be allowed to make up any missed exams. However, the student will be penalized 10 percent for taking an exam after the scheduled exam date (i.e., the grade will be 90% of the points earned on an exam taken after the scheduled time). If the student knows he or she will be out of town on the day of the exam, he may contact the instructor and arrange to take the exam early.
Grades are based on a scale of 100 points (100%). There will be two written exams, a MIDTERM and a FINAL. Each exam is worth 35 points. Successful completion of assignments is worth 30 points; 10 points per assignment. All points are totaled to provide the overall grade. The mid-term and the first two homework assignments may be resubmitted one class period after grading for a maximum of 50% improvement in grade because I believe studying the material is critical in this business.
Grading Standards
90% and above A
80% to 89.9% B
70% to 79.9% C
60% to 69.9% D
Below 60% F
Grading
is the province of the instructor. As
in most college courses, the average student doing the average amount of work
can expect to earn a grade of “C” for the course.