Introduction to = Networks and=20 Security
CIT 130-45
Course Syllabus

Contact Information

Instructor

John Lavallee

Email

lavallee@champlain.edu

Office hours

8:30 =96 5:00, Monday through Friday throughout the = semester

Phone

802-877-1087

Course Information

Course Title

Introduction to Networks and Security

Course Number

CIT 130

Course Description

This=20 course provides students with an understanding of the myriad = topics=20 related to data communications, ranging from telephony and modems = to local=20 and wide area networks to the Internet and TCP/IP. Course topics = will=20 focus on relevant issues today, while providing a historical = context and=20 providing a glimpse into emerging/future technologies. This course = provides a broad survey coverage of the field to teach basic = concepts and=20 terminology that will prepare students to gain more in-depth = understanding=20 in later courses, professional experiences, and outside reading = and=20 activities.

Student Centered Learning Outcomes =

Through the use = of=20 discussions, written reports and regular weekly assignments, = students will=20 be exposed to a wide range of topics and material that will = prepare them=20 for the more advanced courses in their curriculum.

By the end of = the semester,=20 students will attain a broad range of learning objectives, and = will be=20 able to:

Networking: An Overview
How LAN and WAN Communications = Work
Using=20 Network Communication Protocols
Connecting Through a Cabled=20 Network
Devices for Connecting Networks
Connecting Through a = Wireless Network
Sharing Resources on a = Network
Understanding WAN=20 Connection Choices
Basic Network Design
Securing Your=20 Network
Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your = Network

Textbooks

Hands-on Netwworking Fundamentals

Michael Plamer, Thomson Course Technology, 2006, ISBN:=20 1-4188-3554-4

Topic Outline

Networking: An Overview
How LAN and WAN Communications=20 Work
Using Network Communication Protocols
Connecting = Through a=20 Cabled Network
Devices for Connecting Networks
Connecting = Through=20 a Wireless Network
Sharing Resources on a = Network
Understanding=20 WAN Connection Choices
Basic Network Design
Securing Your=20 Network
Maintaining & Troubleshooting your Network =

Academic Standards

Satisfaction of Core=20 Competencies

The course is = structured in=20 such a way as to provide experiences associated with the five core = competencies as outlined by Champlain College. These core=20 competencies are as follows:

Technology=20 Competence
Critical = & Creative=20 Thinking
Global = Studies=20 Awareness
Written / = Oral=20 Communication
Quantitative = Literacy
Ethical = Reasoning

The manner in = which this=20 course addresses these competencies is outlined in the sections = that=20 follow.

Technology=20 Competence

This entire = course is about=20 technology! Students are exposed to internetworking = hardware,=20 software and theory from the ground up in all class lectures, = assignments,=20 and hands-on exercises. Students are provided with a fairly=20 technical background of computer terminology and = architectures. Upon=20 completion of the course, students will have been exposed to a = wide-range=20 of technologies along with a broad range of theoretical = topics.

Students are = made aware of=20 the necessary tools, technical resources, and documentation that = will=20 assist them in their administrative and / or troubleshooting=20 tasks. When they enter the =93real=94 technical = world, this=20 ability to use available resources is important for their = success. =20 It is important that students utilize these resources during = homework and=20 project assignments. In addition, more technically astute = students=20 in each class are called upon to provide assistance when others = have=20 difficulty.

Finally, = students obtain=20 the technical expertise necessary to make valid choices as to the=20 appropriate environment for each specific topic covered. The = appropriate technical choice in a business environment is wide and = varied. Students must be able to not only derive a choice = from=20 available solutions, but must also be able to justify their = choices=20 (technically, orally, and in written form).

Critical = & Creative=20 Thinking

Once again, due = to the=20 highly technical nature of the technology covered in class, = students must,=20 from the information provided, successfully implement functioning=20 systems. Technical issues arise along the way where students = are=20 highly encouraged to use theses available resources (internet, = peers,=20 documentation, and instructor) to quickly arrive at a = resolution. =20 Troubleshooting is as much an art as it is a science!

Taking it a = step further,=20 students are also repeatedly instructed that proper planning, = testing, and=20 documentation are a necessity. Students must be able to = distinguish=20 that a stable business systems environment is a lot different than = playing=20 around with systems at home. User satisfaction and = =93uptime=94 are=20 critical. Improperly stabilized systems with significant = downtime=20 can have an adverse financial impact on an organization. = Though=20 there are students that are more technically astute than others in = the=20 class, a key learning comes from deriving a methodology that is = more=20 appropriate for a business environment (rather than a = non-disciplined=20 approach with a =93play=94 machine in their dorm, or home).

There are = =93many ways to=20 skin a cat=94 as the saying goes. As it pertains to this = course, there=20 are many ways to solve a specific business problem or application=20 need. Students are encouraged to understand these approaches = and=20 their significance in the satisfaction of a task. This = course=20 provides the students with the necessary skills to make valid = technical=20 choices necessary to satisfy the needs of any real business=20 environment.

Students are = given homework=20 assignments and a project that assist them in researching a topic = in more=20 detail. Most important of all, these serve to take their = combined=20 course experiences and apply them where appropriate (even if it = includes=20 material from other courses). The homework assignments and = final=20 project provide enough information to begin the task, however, it = is up to=20 the student to utilize their critical thinking skills to fill in = the gaps=20 necessary to complete the homework or project.

Finally, = students obtain=20 the knowledge that this course as well as others requires a life = long=20 learning process. Students are encouraged to load the = operating=20 system on a system at home (dorm). Where this is not possible, = students=20 are provided an account on an instructor provided server (that = they can=20 use from anywhere). Students are also encouraged to = investigate=20 additional resources outside the scope of this course.

Global = Studies=20 Awareness

Though global = awareness is=20 not a major focus of this course, there still exists the need to=20 understand where a particular technology fits as it pertains to = the global=20 enterprise. There are many instances throughout the course where = global=20 relevance is discussed. The following items are either = highlighted, or=20 brought to the attention of the students in this course:

All = technologies=20 maintain a global presence. In addition, in order to allow = for=20 interoperability, adherence to standards is essential. = These=20 standards are global in nature.

The Open = Systems=20 Interconnection (OSI) model of networking was standardized by = the=20 International Standards Organization (ISO). All of the = networking=20 standards and protocols studied in this course are international = in=20 scope.

All = operating=20 systems and network operating system provide for multi-language=20 support. Students are briefly exposed to where this may be = applicable.

The = world-wide web,=20 is as it states=85world wide. The systems that a student = will=20 administer in the =93real world=94 will, for sure, have global=20 interoperability. =

Written / = Oral=20 Communications

In order for = students to be=20 successful in the business world, their ability to communicate in = both=20 written and oral form is also of primary importance to their=20 success. The course does focus on the technical issues of a=20 wide-range of technologies, however, through their interaction = with their=20 peers (during class), through homework exercises, essays on an = exam, and=20 the hands-on experiences, students are required to clearly = communicate=20 what they have learned. This occurs both in writing, and in = the form=20 of orally communicating these results to the class.

The successful = technical=20 person can communicate effectively with people at all levels (not = just at=20 the technical level). This makes them effective. In = this=20 class, students are made aware of these different levels. = The=20 following is what is specifically highlighted:

Students = must be=20 able to communicate with each other, at the technical = level. They=20 must understand the concepts, and apply these concepts in an = effective=20 manner. Using proper language to do so is important. = Students are made aware of the appropriate technical terms and=20 applicability as it pertains to this class. They must = speak and=20 write the =93lingo=94. All lectures and labs place a heavy = emphasis on=20 the terms that are applicable for each network operating system=20 discussed.

Students = must be=20 able to explain technical concepts in a manner appropriate for = the=20 non-technical user. Again, this must be done both orally = as well=20 as in written form. A successful =93technologist=94 must = be able to=20 effectively communicate a user=92s issues or business needs in a = common=20 language, and then translate these needs into a technical=20 solution. This appears to be the most challenging portion = of their=20 development. The labs in this course outline a business = need; the=20 students must technically solve these needs. When unable = to do so=20 immediately due to insufficient information, they must ask the=20 appropriate business questions (as well as the technical) to = come to a=20 resolution.

Students = must be=20 able to communicate at all levels in an organization, as well as = at all=20 levels of understanding. This can be from upper = management, to a=20 supervisor, to a peer, or to a real =93techno-phobic=94 = individual. In=20 all essays, and written assignments, students must use proper = literary=20 composition that clearly states the required results. In = addition=20 to a formal short presentation, students are highly encouraged = to=20 participate, express themselves clearly, and demonstrate proper=20 translation from business need to technical solution.

Finally, = the more=20 technically astute students are highly encouraged to serve as = mentors=20 for those not at the same level (or having difficulty with an=20 assignment). This must be effectively communicated = (without=20 intimidation). This not only enhances their communication = skills,=20 but also serves to enhance both their leadership as well as = =93mentoring=94=20 capabilities. Class participation is a must for = success!

Quantitative = Literacy

Though this is = not a math=20 class, students must apply some basic quantitative reasoning to = succeed in=20 several of the lectures and assignments. In particular, = students=20 must understand the decimal, octal, binary, and hexadecimal = numbering=20 systems. Students must also be able to demonstrate the = ability to=20 make conversions between these systems as it is an integral part = of the=20 technology.

Ethical=20 Reasoning

As with any = powerful=20 technology, computers can be used for both good and bad = intentions. =20 The standards that determine whether an action is good or bad are = known as=20 ethics. Computer ethics are the moral guidelines that govern = the use=20 of computers and information systems. The following areas = are=20 discussed throughout the course: unauthorized use of = computers and=20 networks; software theft (piracy); information accuracy; = intellectual=20 property rights; codes of conduct; and information privacy.

Methods of Assessment

Your final grade will be determined based on:

Graded Elements

Weights

Homework

Participation and Engagement

Mid Term Exam

Final Exam

Total

100 pts.=20

Instructional = Approach

This course is = primarily a=20 lecture class. Students may be required, however, to use a = computer=20 for homework assigned labs. In the lecture portion of the = class,=20 students will be provided with the information necessary to build = a=20 functioning foundation of computer theory from which they can = build as=20 more advanced courses are taken.

Lectures

Each class will = consist of=20 a lecture outlining the technology subject for the day. The = focus is=20 on the =93how to=94 as well as to make the student begin thinking = about the=20 real life applicability of the particular topic. Students = will be=20 required to participate in each discussion. Though most of = the=20 lectures will cover topics in the textbook, it is assumed that the = students will read all assigned material. Lectures will go = above and=20 beyond the material in the textbook. On many occasions, = students=20 will be required to use the Internet for research and homework / = project=20 completion.

Homework=20 Assignments

In addition to = textbook=20 readings, students will be given homework assignments geared = toward the=20 successful completion of a given task. Of primary importance = is the=20 planning necessary for the implementation of a technology, and the = documentation of available resources. The homework = assignments are=20 research oriented, and will be submitted in written form. = Students=20 are sometimes asked to discuss their homework assignments in the=20 discussion forum, and hopefully generate interesting discussions = around a=20 myriad of approaches that solve a similar problem.

Exams / = Tests

Students are = given quizzes=20 and exams aimed specifically at testing their understanding of the = technology rather than their ability to memorize facts for a = particular=20 exam. Testing includes multiple choices, true / false, fill = in the=20 blanks, short answers, and essays. Most of the questions are = designed to have the student think about what they have learned, = and=20 answer accordingly.

Participation and=20 Engagement
Attendance and involvement is = measured=20 though your presence and participation in the all aspects of the = class.=20 Your participation is extremely important to the learning = experience for=20 both you and your classmates.

Class discussions, in which you willingly share your thoughts = and=20 ideas, are also an integral part of the class and your learning = process.=20 Your participation in discussion (and the assessment of = discussions for=20 grading) will be based on the following guidelines: =

Respond to others with questions or = comments that=20 provoke elaboration.=20
Bring in resources from outside the = class=20 materials (website, reading in another class, work experience = etc)=20
Link the comments of two people in a = very explicit=20 way that has not been expressed.=20
Demonstrate your interest with an active = listening=20 question to another.=20
Build on another's thinking.=20
Use the course materials, including = quotes from=20 readings, as "evidence" to support your thinking.=20
Avoid unsupported opinion.=20
Please describe any addition expectation = you need=20 to share

Grade Calculation

The following scale will be used to determine letter = grades:

Grade

Range

93+

A-

90-92

B+

87-89

83-86

B-

80-82

C+

77-79

73-76

C-

70-72

D+

67-69

63-66

D-

60-62

Below = 60

Homework

Homework = assignments are=20 due on the scheduled due date. Late homework will receive a = lower=20 grade. Partial assignments will be graded as = incomplete. =20 Homework assignments are to be submitted exclusively through the=20 assignment tool in WebCT (and not through regular = email). =20 Homework will not be accepted once that assignment has been = returned=20 to the rest of the class. It is up to the student to have = all=20 assignments due on time!

Exams/Quizzes

Students are = required to=20 take all quizzes and exams at the appointed time unless = arrangements prior=20 to the test are made with the instructor. Make-up tests will = be more=20 rigorous than the regular tests, and will be scheduled at a time=20 convenient for the instructor. Obviously exams are taken=20 online. They are timed exams. Students must insure = that their=20 computer equipment and network connections are in proper working = order for=20 the duration of all online exams.

Students With Special Needs

If you believe that you have a disability requiring = accommodations in=20 this class, please contact the Coordinator of Support Services for = Students with Disabilities as soon as possible. After you receive = your=20 accommodation form, please contact the instructor ASAP to insure = all=20 accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. It is = the=20 student's responsibility to seek and secure accommodations prior = to the=20 start of a test or project.

Contact: Janine Allo
Office = of=20 Support Services for Students with Disabilities
Office: Hauke=20 007
Phone: 802-865-5484
Email:jallo@champlain.edu

Contact: Julie Reville
Office of Support Services for = Students with=20 Disabilities
Office: Hauke 007
Phone: = 802-651-5961
Email:jreville@champlain.edu

Academic Honesty Policy

In the preparation and presentation of any assigned = work-including=20 examinations, tests, quizzes, term papers, reports, themes and = other=20 written or oral exercises-every student shall conform to a strict = standard=20 of academic honesty. Any attempt to deceive a faculty member or to = help=20 another student to do so will be considered a violation of this = standard.=20 In all assignments, students must acknowledge the words and/or = ideas of=20 others taken from print or electronic media, whether a direct = quotation or=20 a paraphrase; any omission of this is dishonest. Cheating on = examinations=20 or tests consists of knowingly giving, receiving or using-or = attempting to=20 give, receive or use-unauthorized assistance during an examination = or=20 test. A faculty member may record a grade of "zero" for any = assignment on=20 which a student has plagiarized or cheated. For repeat offenses = within a=20 single course, the faculty member may record a grade of "F" for = the=20 course. Violations of this policy in multiple courses may result = in=20 dismissal from the College. A student may appeal these decisions = according=20 to the Academic Grievance Procedure.

Additional information

Brief Rationale The primary goal of this class = is to=20 expose the student to all facets of computing and = telecommunications=20 technology. It is critical that students at least have a = working=20 knowledge of the various components of hardware and software, and = have an=20 understanding of how they are used to develop larger systems. The = course=20 provides a basic foundation for all other IT courses offered at=20 Champlain. It assumes very little prior knowledge. = However, it=20 has been the instructor=92s observation that no matter how = advanced some of=20 the students are when they begin the class, they still learn = something=20 new. This field is too volatile and too complex for someone = to have=20 an in-depth knowledge of every aspect of it. Thus, it is = very common=20 for students to help one another to understand various aspects of = the=20 course.

Introduction to = Networks and=20 SecurityCIT 130-45 Course Syllabus

Introduction to = Networks and=20 Security
CIT 130-45
Course Syllabus