CIS 201 - Network Fundamentals  -   Open Entry Open Exit         

  

Office Hours: by appointment

 I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
 

Welcome to the Cisco Networking Academy program! This is the first of four courses designed to provide classroom and laboratory experience in current and emerging networking technology, and to help prepare for certification as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). This curriculum presents a comprehensive overview of networking; from fundamentals to advanced applications and services.  It is based on the top-down approach to networking that is popular in many colleges and universities.  The course emphasizes concepts and skills required to design networks, while providing opportunities for practical application and hands-on experience by teaching students how to install, operate, and maintain networks.

II. ADVISORY PREREQUISITE
CIS 120, CIS 190, A+ Certification, or one year industry experience.

III. COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
 

This course introduces the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and other computer networks.  It uses the OSI and TCP layered models to examine the nature and roles of protocols and services at the application, network, data link, and physical layers.  The principles and structure of IP addressing and fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, media, and operations are introduced to provide a foundation for the curriculum.  Labs use a "model Internet" to allow students to analyze real data without affecting production networks.  Packet Tracer (PT) activities help students analyze protocol and network operation and build small networks in a simulated environment.   At the end of the course, students build simple LAN topologies by applying basic principles of cabling; performing basic configurations of network devices, including routers and switches; and implementing IP addressing schemes.

By the end of the course, students will achieve the following objectives:

• Explain the importance of data networks and the internet is supporting business communications and everyday activities.
• Explain how communication works in data networks and the internet
• Recognize the devices and services that are used to support communications across an internetwork
• Use network protocol models to explain the layers of communications in data networks
• Explain the role of protocols in data networks
• Describe the importance of addressing and naming schemes at various layers of data networks
• Describe the protocols and services provided by the Application layer in the OSI and TCP/IP models and describe how this layer operates in various networks
• Analyze the operations and features of the Transport layer protocols and services
• Analyze the operations and feature of the Network layer protocols and services and explain the fundamental concepts of routing
• Design, calculate, and apply subnet masks and addresses to fulfill given requirements
• Describe the operation of protocols at the OSI Data link layer and explain how they support communications
• Explain the role of Physical layer protocols and services in supporting communications across data networks
• Explain fundamental Ethernet concepts such as media, services, and operations
• Employ basic cabling and network designs to connect devices in accordance with stated objectives
• Build a simple Ethernet network using routers and switches
• Use Cisco CLI commands to perform basic router and switch configuration and verification
• Analyze the operations and features of common Application layer protocols such as HTTP, DNS, DHCP, SMTP, Telnet, and FTP
• Utilize common network utilities to verify small network operations and analyze data traffic

IV. TEXT, MATERIALS AND ONLINE WEBSITE

Cisco Network Academy Website: http://cisco.netacad.net
Instructor's Website: http://www.cuyamaca.edu/cis/cisco

Network Fundamentals course:Network Fundamentals, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide
ISBN-10: 1-58713-208-7, ISBN-13: 9781587132087, Publication Date: October 2007

Network Fundamentals, CCNA Exploration Labs and Study Guide
ISBN-10: 1-58713-203-6, ISBN-13: 9781587132032, Publication Date: October 2007

Recommended Texts (not required)
  Not required as you are encouraged to print all of the assigned labs directly from the online curriculum.

    Materials

    Removable media (thumb drive, floppy)

    A sectioned three-ring binder with paper for note taking

V. COURSE SPECIFICS

Attendance
The Self-paced open entry-open exit program requires students to complete a minimum of 80 classroom hours to meet academic standards.  Self-paced education places additional responsibility on the student for success. Irregular attendance and lack of participation are key factors in determining poor student performance.   The greater the amount of time and effort applied by the student, the greater the opportunity for success, rapid advancement of knowledge, and advancement through the program. Students will be expected to manage their attendance with the goal of completing at least one Cisco Semester during a Cuyamaca College Semester.  Higher goals of completion are very possible and will be supported.  If you have questions about recommended progress rates, please ask the instructor for guidance.

Dropping the Class
It is your responsibility to withdraw from class. All students who are enrolled at the end of the course must be given a letter grade. Students who stop attending and do not officially withdraw will be receive an F. See the "IMPORTANT DATES" section below for drop deadlines. A "W" cannot be awarded after the "Last day to drop CIS 201" deadline.

Assignments
Assignments for the class are divided into the following groups:

Reading Assignments
The material for this course is available on the Web. The reading assignments should be completed before the beginning of class. Most students will spend and average of ten hours per week reading the material. Some chapters may take more than one reading to understand. Students are responsible for all terms and concepts in the chapters covered.

On-Line Module Exams
All exams are administered online, and enabled only after the topic has been completed. There are eleven (11) online module exams and a comprehensive final exam.  Please refer to the schedule below.

Labs
The hands-on labs are an important part of the Academy. Students may work together in small groups. Content for the skills-based final will be directly drawn from lab assignments, worksheets, and other course material -- so understanding lab assignments is an important part of passing the course.  You are encouraged to complete as many additional labs as you wish as well as working all of the interactive labs found in the curriculum.

Worksheets
Several worksheets will be distributed during the course to help reinforce critical networking skills such as binary and hexadecimal conversions, IP addressing, and class A, B, and C subnetting. Completion of these worksheets is required..

Skills-Based Final, On-Line Student Survey, & On-Line Final Exam
A skills-based final and an on-line final exam will be administered the end of the course. The final exam will be comprehensive and all students must pass the final and the skills-based final to pass the course, and be eligible for CCNA2. All labs, on-line chapter tests, case study and the skills-based final must be completed before you may take the final exam. Cisco requires that the Cisco's CCNA 1 on-line survey before receiving a grade in the course.  Incomplete grades are not allowed.

Supervised Tutoring - To support your efforts to succeed in this class, I refer you to Supervised Tutoring services (CIS 198).  All Supervised Tutoring sections are FREE to you. You need only enroll to receive services—no units or grades are given.  Signing up for supervised tutoring allows you to use labs outside of your class times. 

Final course grades will be computed as follows:

Grades will be assigned as follows:

INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES

• Classroom
• Laboratory
• Personal computer for each student
• Appropriate course software

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IMPORTANT DATES

Please refer to the appropriate official  Cuyamaca College document to insure compliance with any College deadline.