The first in a series of three courses designed to help prepare students for entry-level networking jobs and the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification. Introduces networking models, protocols, and elements that connect users, devices, applications, and data through the Internet and across modern computer networks. By the end of the course, students can perform basic configurations for routers and switches and build simple local area networks (LANs) that integrate IP addressing schemes and foundational network security. Strongly recommended that students be very familiar with working within a Windows environment and using a Web browser before taking this course. Note: Course topics help students prepare for the CCNA certification exam, but the exam is not included in this course. Industry certification exams are administered by an independent testing agency.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- Network components
- Network topologies
- Basic switch and end device configuration
- Network protocols and models
- Purpose and characteristics of OSI Model layers
- Number systems
- Ethernet switching
- Address resolution
- Basic router configuration
- IPv4 and IPv6 Addressing
- Network security fundamentals
- Network troubleshooting
- Implement initial settings including passwords, IP addressing, and default gateway parameters on a network switch and end devices.
- Explain how network protocols enable devices to access local and remote network resources.
- Explain how physical layer protocols, services, and network media support communications across data networks.
- Calculate numbers between decimal, binary, and hexadecimal systems.
- Explain how media access control in the data link layer supports communication across networks
- Explain how Ethernet operates in a switched network.
- Explain how routers use network layer protocols and services to enable end-to-end connectivity.
- Explain how ARP (address resolution protocol) and ND (network discovery) enable communication on a network.
- Implement initial settings on a router and end devices.
- Calculate an IPv4 subnetting scheme to efficiently segment a network.
- Implement an IPv6 addressing scheme.
- Use various tools to test network connectivity.
- Compare the operations of transport layer protocols in supporting end-to-end communication.
- Explain the operation of application layer protocols in providing support to end-user applications.
- Configure switches and routers with device hardening features to enhance security.
- Implement a network design for a small network to include a router, a switch, and end devices.
Assessment and Requirements
Students will be assessed based on lab work, standardized multiple-choice online chapter assessments, a midterm, and a final exam with a hands-on, skills-based assessment partly developed by Cisco Systems.
Outcomes
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
A student may be granted credit for this course through credit for prior college-level learning if s/he scores a proficient score on a written assessment, on a skills-based demonstration, and has a current CCNA or higher Cisco certification. Departmental exam is given in department by department faculty. Faculty will grade exam based on evaluation rubric. Evaluation rubric and exam topics and objectives located in School's Office.
A student may be granted credit for this course through credit for prior college-level learning if s/he scores a proficient score on a written assessment, on a skills-based demonstration, and has a current CCNA-level or higher Cisco certification. Skills-based demonstration is given in department by department faculty. Faculty will assess demonstration based on evaluation rubric. Evaluation rubric and student checklist located in School's Office.
A student may be granted credit for this course through credit for prior college-level learning if s/he scores a proficient score on a written assessment, on a skills-based demonstration, and has a current CCNA-level or higher Cisco certification. Department faculty will verify certification. Verified certification and the CPCLL application will be copied, signed, dated, and retained in the School's Office.