Computer Essentials Syllabus

INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKING:  COURSE OUTLINE AND OBJECTIVES

Unit I: Introduction to course and what will be covered

  • Types of computers and how they are used           

  • Internal Computer components:  CPUs, I/O, Memory, and Accessory Cards

  • System Software including some basic DOS

  • Application Software

  • Management and Utility Software

  • Applications via Networking

  • Order computer parts and build computers

Unit 2:  Networks and Networking Concepts

  • Networking Fundamentals           

  • Local and Wide Area Networks

  • Clients, Peers, and Servers

  • The Network Medium Carries Network Messages

  • Network Protocols

  • Network Software

  • Network Services

  • Network Types

  •         Peer-to-Peer Networking

  •         Server-based Networks

  •         Storage-area Networks (SANs)

  •         Hybrid Networks

  •         Server Hardware Requirements

  •         Specialized Servers

  • Selecting the Right Type of Network

  • Wire a classroom

Unit 3:  Network Design Elements

  • Network Design           

  • Designing a Network Layout

  • Standard Topologies (bus, ring, star)

  • Hubs (active, passive, hybrid)

  • Switches

  • Variations of Major Topologies

  •          (mesh, star/bus, star/ring, interconnecting multiple VLANS)        

  • Selecting a Topology

  • Constructing a Network Layout 

Unit 4:  Networking Media

  • Network Cabling:  Tangible Physical Media

  • Primary Cable Types

  •         General Cable Characteristics

  •         Baseband and Broadband Transmission

  •         The Importance of Bandwidth

  •         Coaxial Cable

  •         Twisted-pair Cable

  •         Cable Selection Criteria

  •         The IBM Cabling System

  • Wireless Networking:  Intangible Media

  •         The Wireless World

  •         Types of Wireless Networks

  •         Wireless LAN Applications

  •         Wireless LAN Transmission

  •         Wireless Extended LAN Technologies

  •         Microwave Networking Technologies

  •         High-speed Wireless Networking Technologies

Unit 5:  Network Interface Cards

  • Network Interface Card (NIC) Basics

  •         From Parallel to Serial, and Vice Versa

  •         PC Buses

  •         Other PC Interfaces Used for Networking

  •         Principles of NIC Configuration

  •         Making the Network Attachment

  • Choosing Network Adapters for Best Performance

  • Special-purpose NICs

  •        Wireless Adapters

  •        Remote Boot Adapters

  • Driver Software

Unit 6:  Making Networks Work

  • OSI and 802 Networking Models

  • Role of a Reference Model

  • OSI Network Reference Model

  • IEEE 802 Networking Specifications

Unit 7:  Network Communications and Protocols

  • Function of Packets in Network Communications

  •         Packet Structure

  •         Packet Creation

  •         Understanding Packets

  • Protocols

  •         The Function of Protocols

  •         Protocols in a Layered Architecture

  •         Common Protocols

  •         Implementing and Removing Protocols

  • Putting Data on the Cable:  Access Methods

  •         Function of Access Methods

  •         Major Access Methods

  •         Choosing an Access Method

Unit 8:  Network Architectures

  • Ethernet

  •         Overview of Ethernet

  •         10 Mbps IEEE Standards

  •         100 Mbps IEEE Standards

  •         Gigabit Ethernet:  1 Gbps IEEE 802.3z Standards

  •         Ethernet Frame Types

  • Token Ring

  •         Token Ring Function

  •         Hardware Components

  •         Cabling in a Token Ring Environment

  • AppleTalk and ARCnet

  •         AppleTalk Environment

  •         ARCnet Environment

  • FDDI

  • Other Networking Alternatives

  •        Broadband Technologies

  •         Broadcast Technologies

  •         Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

  •         ATM and SONET Signaling Rates

Unit 9: Simple Network Operations

  • Network Operating Systems

  •         Network Operating Systems Overview

  •         NOS Demands

  • Software Components of Networking

  •         General NOS Components

  •         Server Network Software

  •         Client and Server

  • Install a Network Operating System            

  •         Installation Preparation

  •         Installing Microsoft Windows Servers

  •         Installing Novell NetWare 5.1

  •         Installing Red Hat Linux 7.0

  • Network Services

  •         Installing, Removing, and Configuring Network Services

  •         Network Bindings

  •         Network Printing

  •         Network Directory Shares

  • Network Applications

  •         E-mail or Messaging

  •         Scheduling or Calendaring

  •         Groupware