BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ITN 208 - Protocols & Communications II

 

INSTRUCTOR'S NAME: Jim Richerson

OFFICE/Student Engagement Hours: T-204

PHONE:  540-453-2328

CLASS MEETING: Thursday's 12:30 -3:50pm in T210

e-mail: richersonj@brcc.edu


I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Centers on providing an understanding of the TCP/IP suite and the details of its implementation. The details of implementation are treated by discussing IP addressing, the structure of frames and protocol headers that enable communication between two computers. Discusses IP routing, tunneling, SNMP, and security. Maps to Network + certification. Lecture 4 hours per week.

break

 

II. STUDENT PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES: This course will focus on developing an understanding of common concepts and issues in modern networks. The course will be a combination of lecture and hands-on activities which demonstrate specific concepts. We will utilize the Windows Network Operating System that comes with the text. We will also use many networking utilities and tools available to help analyze network conditions. In addition, we will spend time learning how to maintain and troubleshoot a computer networking system. The class covers the objectives of the Network+ certification exam. Upon completion of ITN 208, the student should have an understanding of these topics :

 

  1. Understand the OSI model and its function.
  2. Recognize the various media used in networking.
  3. Identify the purpose, features and functions of network equipment.
  4. Specify the main features of networking protocols, including speed, access, topology and media.
  5. Specify the characteristics of the various types of Ethernet networking.
  6. Define the function of Network Layer Protocols.
  7. Identify the purpose and configuring of IP addressing.
  8. Define the function of Transport Layer Protocols.
  9. Identify and understand the purpose of TCP/IP utilities in networking.
  10. Understand the different type of network grouping and network operating systems (NOS).
  11. Identify the basic characteristics (for example, speed, capacity, and media) for the following WAN technologies.
  12. Define the function of remote access protocols and services.
  13. Identify network security protocols and describe their purpose.
  14. Identify the main characteristics of various network troubleshooting tools.
  15. Describe the role of fault tolerance and disaster recovery in a network.
  16. Given a network problem scenario, select an appropriate course of action based on a general troubleshooting strategy.

break

III. TEXT MATERIAL: CompTIA Network+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting Networks: Exam N10-008 By Mike Meyers, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2022. ISBN 978-1264269037   

break

IV. EVALUATION POLICES AND REQUIREMENTS: Students performance in the course will be measured by oral, written and performance testing. Course objectives discussions and laboratory procedures will be conducted each week to measure student understanding, knowledge and progress with material. Three announced tests will be given during the semester; with a comprehensive, objective-type final exam at the end of the semester. Each of the announced tests will be administered through the colleges' Canvas site. If there are problems taking or submitting tests in a timely manner the student will need to make arrangements with the instructor to take the test on campus.

There will be quizzes given at the end of each chapter through the colleges Canvas site (learn.vccs.edu).  The student will need to make arrangements with the instructor to make up the tests and/or final exam, which will be taken on campus.

For the lab portion of the class the student will be required to keep track of what transpires during each of the lab procedures or projects throughout the semester. The results of each lab or project will be documented. Each lab or project write-up will be worth 50 points. These write-ups need to be kept current! These write-ups can be collected at any time during the semester to be analyzed but they will not be graded as a whole until the end of the semester. The student will be graded on six areas for the lab portion of there grade; attendance, participation, view of write-up, number of write-ups, content of write-ups and use of a format for write-ups. There will also be a final project of researching a new technology in the networking field and to write a one page report outlining it in their own words. This project will be worth 100 points and be part of the overall lab grade.

All students are requested to use their e-mail account for communications. If you have any questions about the course or need assistance anytime outside of class, please contact me anytime by e-mail or during the office hours by telephone. You need to submit lab write-ups under the folder assignments in Canvas. These submissions should be in Text or Microsoft Word format.

The final course numerical grade will be based upon the following percentages:

Type of Evaluation % of Total Grade

Quizzes and Homework ----- 20%   or   20

Laboratory ------------------- 20%   or   20

Three one-hour tests -------- 30%   or   20

Final Exam ------------------ 25%   or   25

Student Effort ---------------- 5%    or   5

TOTAL ----------------------100%  or  100 points

Letter grades are derived from the numerical grades as follows:

90 - 100% = A

80 - 89% = B

70 - 79% = C

60 - 69% = D

   0 - 59% = F

 

The portion of the grade due to "student effort" will be based on the instructor's evaluation of the student's desire to learn the subject and the effort given during the semester. It is based on such characteristics as:

1. Motivation 2. Attention in class

3. Attitude towards course 4. Promptness

5. Cooperation 6. Effort to learn

break

V. HONOR POLICY: "The functioning of an academic community depends on the integrity of all of its members. BRCC Honor Code 

As a member of this community, you are responsible for understanding and adhering to the Honor Code.  Violations include (but are not limited to) cheating on tests and quizzes, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, and plagiarism.  Your instructor is the ultimate source of policy on individual assignments; please consult him or her if you have any questions or concerns about what is permitted. 

Violations of the Honor Code may result in a grade penalty and/or disciplinary action.  For further information on your rights and responsibilities as a student, and the disciplinary guidelines and procedures, please consult the Student Handbook.  For information on the grade appeal procedure, please consult the Catalog Grade Appeal

break

VI. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) STATEMENT :  All work submitted in BRCC courses must be your own. Contributions from anyone or anything else, including AI sources, must be properly quoted and cited every time they are used. Failure to do so constitutes an academic integrity violation and the BRCC Academic Integrity policies will be implemented. Students are discouraged from using AI tools UNLESS under direct instruction from your instructor to do so. Contact your instructor if you are unsure or have questions BEFORE using AI for any assignment.

break

VII. TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE:

Week of

Reading & Assignments

Labs

1-18

Chapter 1 Network Models

Chapter 2 Cabling & Topology

Chapter 1&2 Quiz (Canvas)

 

1-25

Chapter 3 Ethernet Basics

Chapter 4 Modern Ethernet

Chapter 3&4 Quiz (Canvas)

Making Cables

 

2-1

Chapter 5 Building a Network

Chapter 6 TCP/IP Basic

Chapter 5&6  Quiz (Canvas)

Building a Network

Hubs vs. Switches

2-8

Test #1 Chapters 1- 6

Chapter 7 Routing

  

2-15

Test #1 Review

Chapter 8  TCP/IP Applications

Chapter 9 Network Names

Chapter 7,8&9 Quiz (Canvas)

Port Scanners

RADMIN.com

2-22

Chapter 10 Securing TCP/IP

Chapter 11 Switch Features

Chapter 10&11 Quiz (Canvas)

Encryption

 

2-29

Chapter 12  IPV6

Chapter 13 WAN Connectivity

Chapter 12&13  Quiz (Canvas)

Remote  Access

 

3-7

Chapter 14 Wireless Networking

Chapter 15 Virtualization and Cloud

Chapter 14&15  Quiz (Canvas)

 IPV6 Setup

3-14

 Spring Break

 
3-21 Test #2 Chapters 7 - 15
Chapter 16 Data Centers		  
3-28

Test #2 Review

Chapter 17 Integrating Network

Chapter 18 Network Operations

Chapter 16,17&18 Quiz (Canvas)

 Packet Tracer
4-4

Chapter 19 Protecting Network

Chapter 19 Quiz (Canvas)

TCP/IP Apps

4-11

Chapter 20 Network Monitoring

Chapter 20 Quiz (Canvas)

Packet Analyzer
4-18

Chapter 21 Network Troubleshooting

Chapter 21 Quiz (Canvas)

 Troubleshooting Networks
4-25

Test #3 Chapters 16 - 21

 

 

5-2

Final Exam

All Material due

 break

VIII.  ACADEMIC CALENDAR: The academic calendar gives the start and end dates for semester sessions and important deadlines for withdrawing from classes, etc.   https://www.brcc.edu/academics/academic-calendar

CANVAS COURSE ACCESS: https://learn.vccs.edu

COURSE RECORDINGS: Meetings of this course might be recorded; these recordings will be available to students registered for this class and are intended to supplement the classroom experience. Students are expected to follow appropriate BRCC policies and maintain the security of passwords used to access recorded lectures. Recordings may not be reproduced, shared with those not in the class, or uploaded to other online environments without prior written instructor permission; doing so would be a breach of the BRCC Honor Code. If the instructor or any other BRCC personnel or departments plan for other uses for the recordings beyond this class, students identifiable in the recordings will be asked for consent prior to such use.  

BRCC POLICIES:

A.          Academic Honesty: As a college student, you are expected to show integrity in your work and interactions with others. https://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/

B.          Academic Support: BRCC is committed to making sure you get responsive, effective answers to your questions. We’re here to help you succeed online. Click the link below to see resources available to you. https://www.brcc.edu/student-support-services/academic-support/

C.         NON-ATTENDING POLICY; Attendance is considered a measure of progress as defined by federal financial aid regulations. In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid, Blue Ridge must proactively monitor course progress. Non-attendance will be reported to the Dean of Student Services at the conclusion of the first week of the course, at midterm, and at the conclusion of the course. Students who receive federal financial aid and are not attending classes may be administratively withdrawn from the course.

Failure to demonstrate active participation within the first seven days of an online class may result in administrative withdrawal from the course. For online courses, never attending is defined as never participated in any class discussions, blog postings, or other learning activities. If the student has logged into Canvas less than 2 times and has never contributed, they may be counted as never attending.

D.         Accessibility Services: We provide academic accommodations and support for students with documented disabilities. Students must submit current documentation of a disability by a qualified professional to Accessibility Services before academic accommodations can be requested. Qualified professional evaluations by physicians, psychologists, audiologists, etc., must have been completed within the last three years. https://www.brcc.edu/student-support-services/accessibility-services/

E.          Final Course Grade Appeal Policy:

1.          The student should submit his/her complaint in writing to the appropriate administrative unit.

2.          The College will respond in writing within the designated time frame.

3.          Documentation of written complaints and the College's written response will be kept in a secure location for three years and then will be destroyed https://catalog.brcc.edu/policies-procedures/campus/student-complaint-appeals-processes/

F.          Faculty Expectations: Enrolling in classes at Blue Ridge Community College is a serious investment of money, time, and effort. To be successful, students must be aware of the challenges ahead of them and be willing and able to work toward meeting those challenges. Knowing what faculty expect helps students get the most out of the learning experience in the classroom and online. https://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/faculty-expectations/  

G.         Student Expectations: College instructors have encountered most of the challenges, frustrations, stresses, and triumphs that students will face. Faculty members know what students need to do to succeed in their courses and will work with students to that end. https://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/student-expectations/

BRCC ALERT REGISTRATION: Blue Ridge Community College uses BRCC Alert to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency. BRCC Alert delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to you on all your devices. http://tinyurl.com/brccalert