CIS121-01 Course Syllabus-Fall 2008
Introduction to Local Area Networks
Instructor Contact Information: Last Updated 08/24/2008
Instructor: Mr. William Pilkey Office: AJT-207C Voice mail: 810 989-5113
Home: 810 392-2796 E-Mail: wpilkey@sc4.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 5:25 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. and Tuesday 2:50 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.
Course Time/Location: Section 01 – Monday, 6:15PM-10:00PM, Room AJT 207C
Textbook: “Local Area Networks” by Orin Thomas & Gary Govanus. EMCParadigm. ISBN: 0-7638-2202-7
Course Rationale:
Students in this course learn concepts, technologies, components and protocols inherent in today’s local area networking (LAN) environments. They will see how computers are connected together to form peer-to-peer and server based networks, and discover the functionality and uses of a router, bridge, switch, hub and repeater. Two commonly used network operating systems are introduced, Windows 2000 and Linux. Various forms of Ethernet technology such as Fast Ethernet are also explained.
Catalog Description:
CIS 121 Introduction to Local Area Networks. This course covers local area network (LAN) physical media, layer 2 architectures, and network operating systems. The course examines the advantages and disadvantages of common cable infrastructure, and provides guidelines for when each is appropriate. During this course, students will examine in the leading network operating systems and their administration. Wide area network consideration will be introduced. The course concludes with general LAN considerations and case study.
Prerequisite: CIS 120 Introduction to Networking course is the only prerequisite for this course. In addition, students will find that basic computer skills, such as word processing applications, Internet browsers, and email software are helpful in this course.
Credits Hours: 4 Contact Hours: 4 lecture/laboratory CL
Course Completion: A grade of 'C' or better is required to meet the Computer Literacy (CL) requirements for graduation with an Associate Degree. Requirement information can be found on pages 20-26 of the 2008-2009 SCCCC Catalogs.
Course Objectives: When students complete this course, they will be able to:
1. Identify the advantages/disadvantages of various LAN cabling schemes.
2. Compare and contrast the operation of Ethernet, Token Ring, and ATM networks
3. Identify the different types of Ethernet networks, and explain their relationship to each other
4. Explain the basic approaches of traffic isolation and broadcast containment in Ethernet LANs
5. Describe the concept of a virtual LAN
6. Identify techniques to increase LAN availability and the associated costs.
7. Identify the primary advantages of the client/server model when used in PC LAN environments.
8. Identify the key features and characteristics of Windows 2K and Unix/Linux.
9. Identify the tools commonly used to analyze and troubleshoot networks, and explain their use
10. Build, troubleshoot, and configure a peer-to-peer and client/server network.
Classroom Policies:
All students expected to conform to the Student Code of Conduct policy. Please see page 183-193 of the 2008-2009 SCCCC catalog for Student Code of Conduct policy. The instructor will review this policy during the first class period. Students found to be in violation of these policies will receive disciplinary action, and possibly receive a zero for effected assignments and/or tests.
Students are expected to be responsible adults and to be respectful to others. Students acting disruptive or disrespectful will be warned. If this behavior continues, they will be ejected from the class.
All cell phones and pagers should be either turned off or placed on vibrate (silent notification) while in the classroom. Cell phones must be stored from view at all times.
Laptops my only be used during lecture to take notes, otherwise they must be turned off and closed.
Students will have assignments that involve research, any material that is not the product of the student’s own thoughts, whether copied or paraphrased from another source, must have cited references, this includes information from the internet. Students can follow any standard style guide in writing papers, such as Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association (APA).
Equipment:
During the course of this class, students will find it necessary to purchase Floppies, or a USB Flash drive. Please ensure that all disks are clearly marked with your own name & contact information. It will be each student’s responsibility to bring their media to class. Please remember any media if used or stored improperly, can fail, thus backup media would be a good idea.
As part of the class work, students will create various documents. This material will be professionally presented. Use this standard Header Format for all word processed work:
Your Name CIS121-01 Monday 6:15pm Date: 09/08/2008
Assignment: (e.g. Chapter 1 Review Questions or e.g. Test 1, Essay question 1)
Attendance:
Students are required to attend all classes. Attendance will have a direct impact on final grades. Approximately 15% of the grade is indirectly based (In-Class Exercises and Quizzes) on attendance in class. Roll may be taken at any point during the class period. In order to count as having attended class students must be present when roll is taken. After 4 “absences”, the final grade will be lowered by 1/3 of a letter grade. Each additional absence will result in an additional deduction. For example a student who has missed roll 7 times would drop from a “B” to a “C”.
It will be each student’s responsibility to obtain copies of lecture notes and to complete all missed assignments without assistance from the instructor. There may be some unannounced in-class assignments and group projects which cannot be “made up”. Students not present on those days will receive a zero for the in-class assignment.
Although it is occasionally necessary for a student to miss a test, students are advised to make all efforts to take all tests/exams on the scheduled date. There will be three unit tests. There will be no makeup unit tests unless prior arrangements have been made with your instructor. Students who know in advance that they will miss multiple unit tests are encouraged to drop and take the class again at a later date.
The semester project is submitted via a presentation and portfolio. Presentations dates will be assigned. In order to receive full credit for the semester project, students must participate in the presentations. There will be no make ups.
A comprehensive final examination will be on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. The final examination does not count as a unit test. Students are strongly encouraged to make whatever arrangements necessary in order to be present. Please contact your instructor prior to the test if there is a conflict. You must take the final examination in order to complete the course.
Grading:
Grades will be determined according to the standard grading scale listed below:
|
A |
92-100% |
B |
82-87% |
C |
72-77% |
D |
62-67% |
|
A- |
90-91% |
B- |
80-81% |
C- |
70-71% |
D- |
60-61% |
|
B+ |
88-89% |
C+ |
78-79% |
D+ |
68-69% |
E |
59% |
Participation in class discussions and group exercises is an important part of this course, therefore all students are expected to attend class prepared (with textbook and having read text assignments) to contribute to the discussion of course material.
Projects and exercises may include both written and laboratory work. Some assignments may be graded as simply completed or not completed. In general, there will be an assignment every class period. Assignments will be made during class, and will reflect material covered by the day’s reading and lecture. Completed assignments must be submitted by the due date for full credit. The responsibility to make-up work rests with the student. Late submissions of one week will be marked down 30%, after one week late assignments will not be accepted.
Tests will consist of a combination of true/false, multiple choice; fill in the blank, matching and essay. Some tests may also include a timed production component and can include prior material covered.
Final Grades: will be computed on the following basis:
| Assignments/Labs | 40% |
| 3 Unit Tests | 30% |
| Semester Project | 10% |
| Final Examination | 20% |
The grade of “I” or incomplete is rarely given. It will be up to the student to demonstrate extreme circumstances which prevented them from completing the course. In order to qualify for an incomplete, a student must have already completed 90% or more of the course work. The instructor will determine if the student qualifies. The final date to drop the course with a “W” is 12:00 pm, November 15, 2008.