Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
CIS D069B
Course Title (CB02)
The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2022
Course Description
This course is designed to provide a full overview of computer networking. It starts with the fundamentals of modern networking technologies and protocols, and advances to an overview of the cloud option for practical applications, with an emphasis on network troubleshooting.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This CTE, CSU transferable course is on the IT Support Specialist certificate will provide a full overview of computer networking including technologies, protocols, cloud options for practical application, and network troubleshooting.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Course Philosophy
The course is designed to use experiential learning that supports self-paced learning combined with instructional support. At the choice of the instructor, a fictional organization can be used throughout the program for simulation.

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.5
Maximum Credit Units
4.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours1.50.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
18.0
Total
66.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Laboratory discussion sessions and quizzes that evaluate the proceedings weekly laboratory exercises

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Assignments

  1. Readings from text
  2. Hands on lab exercises
  3. Two to three exams to assess (comprehensive or multiple choice) competency different modules

Methods of Evaluation

  1. One or two midterm examinations requiring students to apply topics covered in the lectures and reading. Responses are evaluated on implementation of stated constructs and correctness of responses
  2. Final examination requiring students to apply topics covered in the lectures and reading. Responses are evaluated on implementation of stated constructs and correctness of responses
  3. Evaluation of lab topics, based on correctness, documentation, quality, and explanations

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • None

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Course Guide 1Google IT Support Professional Certificate.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Describe computer networks in terms of a five-layer model.
  • Paraphrase all of the standard protocols involved with TCP/IP communications.
  • Associating powerful network troubleshooting tools and techniques.
  • Implement cloud computing, everything as a service, and cloud storage.
  • Interpret and explore the future of computer networking.

CSLOs

  • Describe computer networks in terms of a five-layer model and the standard protocols involved with TCP/IP communications.

  • Associate powerful network troubleshooting tools and techniques and network services like DNS and DHCP.

Outline

  1. Describe computer networks in terms of a five-layer model.
    1. Comprehend the basics of computer networking covering TCP/IP and OSI networking models and how the network layers work together.
    2. Summarize the physical layer and data link layer of the networking model.
    3. Compare and contrast networking devices such as cables, hubs, and switches, routers, servers, and clients.
    4. Summarize how all the separate protocol layers of the network model fit together to create a network.
  2. Paraphrase all of the standard protocols involved with TCP/IP communications.
    1. Review the IP addressing scheme and how subnetting works.
    2. Explore the power of encapsulation works and how protocols such as ARP allow different layers of the network to communicate.
    3. Identify the basic functions of routing, routing protocols, and how the Internet works
    4. Summarize the IP addressing scheme, understand how subnetting works, perform binary math to describe subnets and understand how these technologies support the Internet.
  3. Associating powerful network troubleshooting tools and techniques.
    1. Highlight the transport and application layers and how they interoperate.
    2. Describe TCP ports and sockets, identify the different components of a TCP header, and be able to explain the difference between connection-oriented and connectionless protocols, and explain how TCP is used to ensure data integrity.
    3. Examine networking services and review the role and internals of DNS.
    4. Explain why incorporating DHCP makes network administration a simpler task than attempting to do a complete network configuration without it.
    5. Describe how DNS and DHCP work, how NAT technologies help keep networks secure, and how VPNs and proxies help users connect and stay secured.
  4. Implement cloud computing, everything as a service, and cloud storage.
    1. Outline the history of the Internet, how it evolved, and how it works today.
    2. Experiment with different ways to connect to the Internet through cables, wireless and cellular connections, and even fiber connections.
    3. Define the components of Wide Area Networks (WANs) and outline the basics of wireless and cellular networking.
    4. Explain network services like DNS and DHCP that help make computer networks run.
  5. Interpret and explore the future of computer networking.
    1. Implement the practical aspects of troubleshooting a network using popular operating systems.
    2. Detect and fix a series of common network connectivity problems using tools available in Microsoft Windows, MacOS, and Linux operating systems.

Lab Topics

  1. Have learners come up with an IP addressing scheme and subnets for their fictional organization.

    - Have them choose from RFC1918 address space

    - Talk about different ways to organize IP address space

    - Physical location

    - Device type

    - Device role

    - Security segmentation

    - Reinforce subnetting constraints

    - Use non-overlapping subnet definitions

    - Consider reserved addresses

    - Plan for growth
  2. Create a diagram with local restaurants across the top and learner names across the bottom. Associate an IP address and netmask with each. Have learners draw connecting lines between learners and restaurants that are in the same "delivery area" (i.e. subnet).
  3. Using drawing and/or diagramming tools, have learners create a logical network diagram of their fictional organization. Consider having them include all or some of the following items in their diagram:

    - How their network connects to the Internet

    - End-user devices (workstations, laptops, POS terminals)

    - Servers

    - Shared office devices (printers, scanners, copiers)

    - Guest wireless networking
  4. Demonstrate encapsulation/decapsulation with physical objects. For example, include payloads on index cards and place them in envelopes representing each successive protocol.
  5. Give each "server" a zone file of records that they know. Have learners play a game of "telephone" where the "client" has to resolve an address by passing messages between the learners.
  6. Lead activity to demonstrate name resolution and the local hosts' file.
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