Course Description:

This two-weekend-long course is intended for anyone who wants to learn about networks:  what they are and how they work.  It’s a great course for those interested in studying for the Microsoft Networking exams. 

The course begins with a look at a general communications model and goes on to explore the characteristics of the hardware required for computer-to-computer communication such as modems, gateways, bridges, and media.  This course also examines the features of the software necessary for computers and peripherals to permit network transmission of information.  Various protocols and the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model will be discussed. 

Files from around the world can be downloaded over networks and many other forms of communication are possible.  This course explains some of the details that make this communication possible.

Some of the topics discussed in the course include the following:

• bus topologies
• network operating systems
• network protocols
• fault tolerance
• the OSI model
• network media and connectors
• LANs, MANs, WANs
• network interface cards
• TCP/IP fundamentals
• remote connectivity
• packet switching
• network security

Textbook:

The following textbook is required for the course:

Network+ Certification Study Guide 

Second Edition

 

Syngress, McGrawHill Osborne 2002

Objectives:

        After successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

• understand basic network structure
• describe the various network topologies
• name various network operating systems
• describe various network protocols
• explain various fault tolerance techniques such as mirroring, duplexing, and striping
• describe the OSI model
• describe and contrast the various media found in networks
• describe and contrast the various network components
• explain the basics of routing
• describe the basic functions of TCP/IP and its various protocols
• explain remote connectivity concepts such as SLIP, PPP, and ISDN
• describe WAN technologies
• appreciate and explain the need for security in networking

 

Grades:

        Grades for this course will be based on:
 

        and will be assigned as follows:
 

Readings:

We will officially cover the first eight chapters.  Time permitting, we'll explore other chapters of the text.

Please read the first four chapters before the first class begins!  We will cover these first four chapters during the first weekend.  Chapters 5 - 8 will be covered the second weekend.

Homework/Home-Made Questions:

Each student will make up a number of questions for each chapter which will be shared with the rest of the class.  Details will be given in class.

News Article Reports:

On the last day of class, each student will report on a computer-network-technology-related article that he or she has gleaned from the internet.  A list of online computer technology news sources will be distributed in class.

Quizzes/Test:

Three quizzes and one final exam are scheduled.

The quizzes and exam will consist of a variety of questions:  true/false, multiple choice, matching, definition, acronyms, brief explanations, compare and distinguish, thought-provoking and problem-solving type questions, and so on.  

Participation:

Participation involves responding to questions from the instructor and fellow students, contributing to in-class discussions, and aiding in the search for in-class solutions to case studies and other assigned problems.  Everyone is expected to contribute.

Tentative Schedule:
 
 

Meetings/Date	Topic	Reading Assignment
1 25 January 2003 Saturday	Introductions Basic Concepts The Physical Layer	Chapter 1 Chapter 2
2 26 January 2003 Sunday	Data Link, Network, Transport Layers TCP/IP Fundamentals Quiz #1 (1st hour)	Chapter 3     Chapter 4
3   1 February 2003   Saturday	TCP/IP Suite Utilities Remote Connectivity Quiz #2 (1st hour)	Chapter 5 Chapter 6
4 2 February 2003 Sunday	WAN Technologies Network Security Quiz #3 (1st hour) Final Exam (last hour)	Chapter 7   Chapter 8

Biography of Instructor:

Kerry Painter earned his BA degree in Chinese-Vietnamese Language Studies from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Before attending the University of Hawaii, he studied electrical engineering at Clemson University, attended the 47-week North Vietnamese language course at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and worked as a linguist for the Army Security Agency in both Vietnam and Korea.

For six years after college graduation he worked in radio news as a reporter, writer, announcer, news director, and manager in Hawaii, Texas, and Delaware.  He earned an MS degree in Technical and Science Communication and an MS in Computer Science from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Kerry did doctoral studies at Drexel and has taught a variety of computer science and mathematics courses at Drexel University, Penn State University,  Elizabethtown College, and Swarthmore College, all in Pennsylvania.  He joined The University of Maryland European Division in January 1989 and has taught  at SHAPE in Belgium, Soesterberg Air Base and AFCENT in Holland, Aviano Air Base in Italy, and at several German locations:  Augsburg, Bad Kreuznach,  Bamberg, Baumholder,  Berlin,  Beuchel, Geilenkirchen, Giebelstadt, Hahn, Hanau, Heidelberg, Kapaun (Vogelweh - Kaiserslautern), Kitzingen, Mannheim, Ramstein, Rhein Main, Schweinfurt, Spangdahlem,  Wiesbaden, and Wuerzburg.
 
 

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