Online Course Syllabus CN315 Wide Area Networks

Transcription

1 Online Course Syllabus CN315 Wide Area Networks Important Notes: This document provides an overview of expectations for this online course and is subject to change prior to the term start. Changes may also occur during the term due to faculty or SPS Distance Learning course updates. Some links may only be active once the term starts. For this course you must check the Regis Bookstore: for the most current online course material information. Course Description Prerequisites Course Outcomes Course Materials Grading Criteria Assignments Course Description This course introduces the student to the world of wide area networks (WANs). Focus is especially placed on terminology as networking is such an acronym-rich, term-laden field. Also presented is an indepth look at the major protocols, both wired and wireless, used in WAN networks today along with their various advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, time is spent looking at the tradeoffs involved with designing WAN environments. Prerequisites CN 300 Course Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to achieve the following five outcomes:

2 1. Describe the evolution of WAN architectures from early analog communication across voice networks to the high-speed, reliable digital environments of today. 2. Describe the various internetworking components involved in WAN communications including their operation, advantages, and disadvantages. 3. Identify and be able to discuss the differences between, the advantages, and the disadvantages of the various WAN protocols including where they fit within the structure of the OSI reference model. 4. Discuss the various WAN connectivity options along with their advantages and disadvantages. 5. Describe the many choices involved with WAN deployment including tradeoffs between switched or dedicated networks, private or virtual private networks, and connectionless or connection-oriented architectures. Course Materials Textbooks (2004) Wide Area Networks by Regan, Patrick, Prentice Hall/Pearson Education, 1 st ed, ISBN: X Additional and/or optional resources WestNet website Unit links:

3 Accessing the WestNet web site: The WestNet content will open in a new browser window, while your online course site will remain open in your original browser window. To access the WestNet web site: 1. Select the links below. 2. After the new browser window appears, you can access both the WestNet content and your online course site. The WestNet web site offers different tools, in addition to those provided on the WebCT course site, to help you learn the course materials. Activities completed on the WestNet web site are for self-assessment only. They are not graded components in the course. Some of the features available on the WestNet web site: Audio overviews and summaries. Animations of concepts found in the textbook. Quizzes at the end of each lesson. These are not a graded component in the course. They offer you an opportunity to assess how well you understand the weekly reading assignment. Glossary of terms Unit 1 Fundamentals of WANs Unit 2 WAN Concepts and Components Unit 3 Physical Layer WAN Protocols Unit 4 Data Link Layer WAN Protocols Unit 5 Higher Layer WAN Protocols

4 Unit 6 WAN Solutions Unit 7 Wide Area Networks Grading Criteria Evaluation Criteria Forum participation 15% Weekly activity 10% Weekly quizzes 15% Midterm exam 20% Final exam 20% Final project 20% Breakdown/description of criteria elements Forum participation: Each student is expected to participate in the forum weekly by responding to facilitator-initiated questions and responding to the postings of other students. Weekly quizzes: In weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 each student is expected to complete the 10-question, multiple-choice, WebCT quiz. Weekly activities: Each student is expected to complete the weekly activity contained in the week-by-week section and it to the facilitator.

5 Midterm exam: Each student is expected to complete the 50-question, multiple-choice midterm examination. Final exam: Each student is expected to complete the 50-question, multiple-choice final examination. Final project: Each student is expected to write a 10-page paper covering one of the following 9 topics pertinent to this course: VoIP VPNs Network management Ethernet WANs xdsl Personal Internet security SONET Cable modem Satellite modem Online Course Assignments: CN315 Week: Course Dynamics This course is organized around an eight-week program. Weekly outcomes, assignments, and critical information are organized week-by-week. Typically, each week includes a reading assignment, forum submittal, assignment, and work on your final course project. Work on your final project every week and make periodic submittals of your progress as required by your Facilitator. Online weeks correlate to a 7-day work week. Each week's work begins on a Week One begins on the first day of the session, which is always a Monday. Prior to the start of each week, before Sunday, complete the reading assignments. On Sunday of each week, read your weekly critical information found in the Week-by-Week section. (Note: Your timely understanding of critical information content may be required to complete your weekly assignment or final project.)

6 Generally, by Thursday of each week, participate in the Forum discussions, read other student postings and post at least one substantive response by Generally, by Sunday of each week, save a copy of your assignments for yourself and them to your Facilitator. Course Assignments Week 1: 1. Read the online Course Syllabus, tour of the Forum, and the Course Assignments page. This will help you understand what is involved in completing this course. 2. Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 (sections ) Activities: 1. Choose a topic for your written project assignment and it to the facilitator by midnight Sunday for approval. 2. See the instructions on the Weekly Activity page in the Week by Week for information about how to access and complete the weekly quiz. 3. Respond to the assigned activity in the unit 1 week-by-week section and it to the facilitator by midnight 1. Respond to the Forum question in the unit 1 week-by-week section by midnight Week 2:

7 1. Chapter 3 (sections ) and Chapter Begin work on your written project assignment. 2. See the instructions on the Weekly Activity page in the Week by Week for information about how to access and complete the weekly quiz. 3. Respond to the assigned activity in the unit 2 week-by-week section and it to the facilitator by midnight 1. Respond to the Forum question in the unit 2 week-by-week section by midnight Week 3: 1. Chapter 2 (section 2.3) and Chapter 9 (sections ; ) 1. Review your notes and prepare for the midterm exam in Week Continue work on your written project assignment. 3. See the instructions on the Weekly Activity page in the Week by Week for information about how to access and complete the weekly quiz. 4. Respond to the assigned activity in the unit 3 week-by-week section and it to the facilitator by midnight

8 1. Respond to the Forum question in the unit 3 week-by-week section by midnight Week 4: 1. Chapter 2 (section 2.4), Chapter 3 (sections ) and Chapter 9 (sections ) 1. Complete and submit the online midterm exam. 2. Continue work on your written project assignment. 3. See the instructions on the Weekly Activity page in the Week by Week for information about how to access and complete the mid-term exam. 4. Respond to the assigned activity in the unit 4 week-by-week section and it to the facilitator by midnight 1. Respond to the Forum question in the unit 4 week-by-week section by midnight Week 5:

9 1. Chapter Continue work on your written project assignment. 2. See the instructions on the Weekly Activity page in the Week by Week for information about how to access and complete the weekly quiz. 3. Respond to the assigned activity in the unit 5 week-by-week section and it to the facilitator by midnight 1. Respond to the Forum question in the unit 5 week-by-week section by midnight Week 6: 1. Chapter Continue work on your written project assignment. 2. See the instructions on the Weekly Activity page in the Week by Week for information about how to access and complete the weekly quiz. 3. Respond to the assigned activity in the unit 6 week-by-week section and it to the facilitator by midnight

10 1. Respond to the Forum question in the unit 6 week-by-week section by midnight Week 7: 1. Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 2. Read the following Web-based article concerning the TCP/IP architecture: 1. Review your notes and prepare for the final exam in Week See the instructions on the Weekly Activity page in the Week by Week for information about how to access and complete the weekly quiz. 3. Continue work on your written project assignment. 1. Respond to the Forum question in the unit 7 week-by-week section by midnight Week 8:

11 1. Chapter See the instructions on the Weekly Activity page in the Week by Week for information about how to access and complete the final exam. 2. Submit your written project assignment to the facilitator. 1. Respond to the Forum question in the unit 8 week-by-week section by midnight Complete online evaluation located at the bottom of the content in the Week by Week Regis University. All Rights Reserved. Please contact [email protected] with questions or to report problems with this Web site.