Saint Xavier University

Computer Science Department

 

CMPSC-255-01, Fundamentals of Computer Networking

Fall 2008

 

Instructor

Dr. Khaled Alzoubi

Email 

alzoubi@sxu.edu

Office

N313

Phone

773-298-3863 (office)

Web Address

http://csmaster.sxu.edu/alzoubi

Class Hours

Tuesday and Thursday 2:30 to 3:50 PM Room L109

Office Hours

Tuesday & Thursday: 12:00--2:00PM

or by appointment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description  This course is designed to provide an introduction to building and administering data communication networks. Fundamental communication concepts, communication hardware, communication protocols, network configurations, and communication software are introduced. Emphasis is placed on understanding the design and use of local area networks, and their inter-connection with other networks.

Philosophy This introductory course to networking has been designed for the Computer Science and Computer Studies major, where the emphasis is drifted more towards the hands-on and application environment. The selection of the text book was made to reflect this drift. The first part of the text book and the first part of its lab companion are the first of four parts designed to prepare students for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam. While the main intention of the course is to cover the Networking Fundamentals material, the text book and its lab companion are very suitable for students who are interested in obtaining the CCNA certificate. This course material will prepare students to take advantage of the tremendous new opportunities brought by Networking and the Internet. To get the maximum benefits from the lab material, students are required to fully understand the theoretical and fundamental parts of the course material.

 

Prerequisite CMPSC 111 or consent of the Instructor.

                                                           

Text Books  1- Network Fundamentals, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide,

                        Cisco Press, with Lab and Study Guide.

 

Supplies      Each student is expected to bring the text book to class at all times. Students are expected to have the appropriate storage devices (ex. USB Flash) and/or to have a CSMASTER account to save their work.

 

Objectives    The student will understand:

1.      The basic concepts of networking, and learn about the networking components;

2.      The fundamentals of data and signals transmission;

3.      The differences, advantages and disadvantages of different transmission media;

4.      Local area networking (LAN), and wide area networking (WAN);

5.      Cable testing and cabling LANs and WANs;

6.      How connections are established, and the available components for connection;

7.      Ethernet technology;

8.      TCP/IP protocol suite and IP addressing;

9.      Routing and subnets;

 

Evaluation    Your grade for the course will be calculated according to the following tables:

             

Category

Weight

Attendance  and participation

15%

Lab & homework  assignments

15%

Exams and Quizzes

50%

Final Exam

20%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grade Determination

Range

Grade

90 to 100

A

80 to 89

B

70 to 79

C

60 to 69

D

00 to 59

F

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Attendance: will be taken on daily basis, both for the lecture and the lab.

 

Participation: grade will be determined based on your completion to in-class assignments and your role in the discussion process in the class. 

 

Lab or homework assignments: will be assigned on weekly basis to emphasize the material covered in that particular week. Usually, you will have one week to complete the assignment, unless if stated otherwise.  All assignments are to be submitted on the specified day. Late work will be penalized at the rate of 50% if it is turned in any time up to the next class meeting after it is due. After that time, it will not be accepted. However, if the solution of the assignment is provided on the due date, then no late submission will be accepted.

  

Quizzes: There will be eleven quizzes, one quiz for each chapter. All quizzes will be given and graded instantly online. Each student will have the chance to makeup up to three quizzes towards the end of the semester.  One day will be designated for makeup quizzes (see tentative schedule below).

 

 

                                                           

Tentative Schedule

 

Dates

Topics

Assignments & handouts

Week 1

 

Syllabus

Introduction to Networking

Ch. 1: Living in a Network-Centric World. Ch-1 Quiz

`

Ch-1 Presentation

 

Week 2 

 

Ch. 2: Communicating over the Network. Ch-2 Quiz

Ch-2 Presentation

 

Week 3

 

Ch. 3: Application Layer Functionality and Protocols.   Ch-3 Quiz

Ch-3 Presentation

 

Week 4

 

Ch. 4: OSI Transport Layer

Ch-4 Quiz

Ch-4 Presentation

 

Week 5

 

Ch. 5: OSI Network Layer

Ch-5 Quiz

Ch-5 Presentation

 

Week 6

 

Ch. 6: Accessing the Network

Ch-6 Quiz

Ch-6 Presentation

 

Week 7

 

Ch. 7: OSI Data Link Layer

Ch-7 Quiz

Ch-7 Presentation

 

Week 8

 

Ch. 8: OSI Physical Layer

Ch-8 Quiz

Ch-8 Presentation

Week 9

Ch. 9: Ethernet

Ch-9 Quiz

Ch-9 Presentation

Week 10

Ch. 10: Planning and Cabling Networks

Ch-10 Quiz

Ch-10 Presentation

Week 11

Ch. 11: Configuring and Testing Your Network

Ch-11 Quiz

Ch-11 Presentation

Week 12

Review

 

Week 13

Review

 

Week 14

Review

 

Week 15

Review

 

Week 16

Final Exam, Ch. 1 through 11