I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Network Essentials
2. Course Prefix & Number:
COMP 1230
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 4
Lecture Hours: 4
Lab Hours: 0
4. Course Description:
This course provides individuals who are new to Microsoft Windows product client/server networking technologies with the knowledge necessary to understand and identify the tasks involved in supporting Microsoft Windows based networks. This course will introduce networking terminology, LANs and WANs, client/server networks, peer-to-peer networks, communication protocols, communication devices, OSI model, IEEE standards, media, cabling, network topologies, Ethernet, TCP/IP, IP Addressing, connectivity devices, disaster recovery. Career Preparation: The studies in this course will help students prepare for careers in Networking such as Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Systems Analyst, LAN Administrator, WAN Administrator and Systems Engineer. Certification Preparation: Optional. CompTIA Network + N10-005.
5. Placement Tests Required:
6. Prerequisite Courses:
COMP 1230 - Network Essentials
There are no prerequisites for this course.
8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
End user proficiency with a current Microsoft operating system such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or a current Microsoft network operating system.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
COMP 1230 - Network Essentials
There are no corequisites for this course.
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
Century College, ITT 1031 Network Fundamentals, 3 credits
St. Paul College, CSCI 1440 Networking Fundamentals, 4 credits
2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:
3. Prior Learning - the following prior learning methods are acceptable for this course:
- Written
- Oral
- Demonstration
- Portfolio
III. Course Purpose
1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):
Computer Information Technology, AAS
Computer Network Administration, AAS
Computer Support Specialist, Diploma
3. Other - If this course does NOT meet criteria for #1 or #2 above, it may be used for the purpose(s) selected below:
Technical Elective
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations |
Follow lab instructions to perform the necessary tasks to complete a network setup. |
Utilize appropriate technology |
Use computers, current OSs and networking utilities and hardware to configure, diagnose, troubleshoot, and install network components using current microcomputer hardware and OSs. |
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
- Demonstrate correct network design, configuration and installation principles;
- Categorize LAN and WAN technology types and properties;
- Differentiate and implement appropriate media types and wiring standards;
- Evaluate the proper use of addressing technologies and addressing schemes;
- Identify and explain the function of common networking protocols;
- Install, configure, and differentiate between common network devices;
- Evaluate the network based on configuration and performance;
- Identify common security threats and mitigation techniques;
- Identify and explain current networking standards;
- Design and implement a structured cabling solution;
- Compare the distinguishing characteristics of physical, logical and hybrid topologies;
- Configure IPv4, IPv6 and IP tunneling.
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
- Standards
- Organizations
- OSI Model
- Physical layer
- Data-link layer
- Mac layer
- LLC
- Network layer
- Transport layer
- Session layer presentation layer
- Application layer
- Media types
- Cabling
- Coaxial cable
- Twisted pair cable
- Fiber optic cable
- Fire ratings
- IEEE standards
- Topologies
- Basic topologies
- Hybrid topologies
- Enterprise-wide topologies
- Topology parameters
- Ethernet
- Ethernet frames
- CSMA/CD
- Ethernet standards
- Fast Ethernet
- Gigabit Ethernet
- -gigabit Ethernet
- Ethernet and media
- Physically installing a network
- How hubs and switches work
- Structured cabling
- Levels of structured cabling
- Mapping and pulling cable runs
- Terminating cable
- Cabling tools
- Diagnosing and repairing cabling problems
- NICs
- Buying NICs
- Installing NICs
- Diagnosing and repairing NIC problems
- TCP/IP
- IP addressing
- CIDR
- Subnetting
- Static vs. dynamic IP addresses
- Routing
- How routers work
- Routing tables
- Dynamic routing
- Routing protocols
- Configuring a router
- TCP/IP applications
- Transport Layer protocols
- Ports and sockets
- Securing TCP/IP
- Encryption standards
- Nonrepudiation
- Authentication standards
- Authorization
- TCP/IP security applications
- IPv6
- IPv6 addressing
- Enabling and using IPv6
- Migrating to IPv6
- Tunneling
- Remote connectivity
- Packet-switching
- Digital services
- Dial-up
- T-carrier lines
- DSL
- Cable
- SONET
- Satellite
- Wireless
- Remote access
- VPNs
- Remote terminals
- Dedicated connections
- Network troubleshooting
- Hardware and software tools
- Troubleshooting processes
- Troubleshooting scenarios
- Wireless networking
- Wi-Fi standards
- Implementing Wi-Fi
- Site surveys
- Installing wireless clients
- Ad-Hoc networks
- Infrastructure networks
- Troubleshooting Wi-Fi
- Network security
- Threat assessment
- Software/hardware failure
- Administrative access control
- Malware
- Social engineering
- DoS attacks
- Securing user accounts
- Passwords
- Controlling user accounts
- Firewalls
- Network management
- Configuration management documentation
- Change management documentation
- Monitoring network performance and connectivity
- Network performance optimization