module specification

This module is based on Networking Essentials (Cisco). It teaches networking based on application, covering networking concepts within the context of network environments students may encounter in their daily lives – from small office and home office (SOHO) networking. Students who complete this course are prepared to begin the CCNA Routing & Switching and IoT curricula.
Students will recognize the significant impact of networking in the world and learn skills needed for entry-level home and small business network installation positions.

To explain the operation of Local Area Network (LAN), and the internet
To enable students to perform subnetting of IP addresses as well as scaling IP addresses
To gain an  understanding of static and dynamic routing protocols
To understand Network documentation, security and troubleshooting
To understand WLANs, and how to configure residential wireless routers in a SOHO environment

Theory:
Concept of network communication; roles of devices in a network; basics of network connectivity; communication protocols and operation of routers and switches in small networks or LANs; IP addressing and IPv4 addresses; DHCP Server; public and private addressing and IPv6; TCP/IP protocol; function of common Internet client/server application; Wi-Fi functionality and wireless LAN devices; wireless PC clients to a wireless router; connecting to the ISP; basic network security; network security threat and use of software tools such as firewall; small network with Cisco devices -  LAN switches, small business router, IOS; common commands for device status; Troubleshooting of common network problems
Practical:
Build a functioning network; Build a small network using an integrated network router; Configure devices on a LAN; Configure a DHCP serve; Configure an integrated wireless router and wireless clients to connect securely to the Internet; Configure a wireless LAN device to protect data and the network; Configure basic network security; Configure a firewall to control network traffic; Build a switch and router network; Troubleshoot common network issues found in home and small business networks; Troubleshoot network problems with common network utilities; Troubleshoot a network connectivity problem

Module is delivered once a weekly in three hours session. Usually one hour lecture is followed by two hours of laboratory work. Students are provided with access to the on-line curriculum through the Cisco VLE Netacad and/or WebLearn. They are encouraged to read the material prior to lecture sessions. On the completion of a lecture on specific chapter, students take a test for which they get an automated and/or in-person formative feedback. Lectures are supported by hands-on laboratory work. Students are encouraged to keep a logbook and record the summary of their practical work for reflective learning.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
LO1. Understand and observe the flow of traffic on a LAN using the Ethernet/802.3 standards;
LO2. Work effectively to troubleshoot LANs and WLANs;
LO3. Understand and use the OSI and TCP/IP network models;
LO4. Understand and appreciate the  importance of standards and protocols in network communications including  demonstration of analytical and practical knowledge and skills for configuration of  TCP/IP suite of protocols, configuration of  IP addresses and management of internetworking devices in LANs;
LO5. Understand, analyse and configure computer networks using subnetting and build a basic switched network;
LO6. Understand, analyse and configure computer networks using WiFi and build a WLAN network;
LO7. Explain how software tools can mitigate network security threats and how to configure a firewall to control network traffic;

Module is assessed using three assessment instruments: 1) students’ continuous learning is assessed through regular chapter tests throughout the year (LO1, LO3 to LO7), Final unseen theory examination aims to assess students’ depth and breadth of theoretical fundaments of basic networking (LO1 and LO3 to LO7) and 3) final unseen practical examination is designed to assess students’ practical skills of building and configuring a small home / office network. Students are permitted to keep their logbooks during practical examinations (LO2, LO4 to LO6).

• Networking Essentials teaching material from www.netacad.com to the registered students using individual user id and password 
• Third part tutorial information http://study-ccna.com/
• CCNA 1 and 2 official teaching material from www.netacad.com
• Cisco Systems Inc., “Routing & Switching Essentials Course Booklet”
• Troy McMillan, Cisco Networking Essentials
• Doug Lowe, Networking All-In-One for Dummies
• Adam Vardy, Cisco CCNA Networking For Beginners: The Ultimate Beginners Crash Course To Learn Cisco Quickly And Easily