COMN-120 Network Essentials

Credits 3 / 3 Contact Hours
Pre-requisite: Placement into ACRD 080 . Pre- or Co-requisite: COMG-153. Note: Student must provide own personal storage device.
This course is designed to give students a broad overview of current terminology and technologies found in current networking environments. Topics include local and wide area networking, the OSI model, TCP/IP and network protocols, media architecture, and networking hardware. Network designs using various topologies and protocols as well as the basic concepts and approaches involved in maintaining and administering a network will also be addressed. This course will also help to prepare students for the CompTIA Network+ exam.

Course Outcomes
Describe the fundamentals of network communications

Learning Objectives

Describe basic computer components and operations
Define common networking terms
Compare different network models

Performance Standards

List the basic functions of a computer
List the required components needed to network a stand-alone computer
List the steps of network communication
Explain the difference between a peer-to-peer/workgroup model and a server-based domain model

Explain the hardware equipment used in setting up a network

Learning Objectives

Describe the function of a switch and how it is used in a network
Differentiate between a switch and a router
Explain the function of a route and how it is used in a network

Performance Standards

List the steps of a network switch’s operation
Describe the differences between a switch and a router in regards to setting up a network
Explain the function of a wireless access point in regards to setting up a network
Explain the function of a router in regards to setting up a network

Analyze network topologies and technologies

Learning Objectives

Describe the physical topologies of a network
Describe the network topologies of a network

Performance Standards

Explain the primary physical networking topologies in common use
Explain the primary logical networking topologies in common use

Identify the various types of network media and discuss their strengths and weaknesses

Learning Objectives

Describe the types of wired network media that can be used to set up a network
Describe the types of fiber optic network media that can be used to set up a network
Describe how a wireless network is used to set up a network

Performance Standards

Define the primary cables used in wired networking
Describe the characteristics of the major types of fiber-optic media
Explain the technologies used for wireless networking

Define network protocols used in OSI model and TCP/IP layered architecture

Learning Objectives

List the protocols in a TCP/IP layered architecture
List the protocols in the OSI Reference Model

Performance Standards

Describe the purpose of a network protocol and the layers in the TCP/IP architecture
Describe TCP/IP Application-layer protocols
Describe TCP/IP Transport-layer protocols
Describe TCP/IP Internetwork-layer protocols
Describe TCP/IP Network acccess-layer protocols
List the seven layers of the OSI model

Demonstrate how to configure IP addressing

Learning Objectives

Explain how to calculate a subnet mask
Explain how to subnet a network based on the number of clients needed

Performance Standards

Perform subnetting calculations
Configure IPv4 addresses
Recognize IPv6 address types

Explain concepts of network security and how to protect a network from attacks

Learning Objectives

List the elements of a Network Security Policy
Describe the methods of securing access to network data

Performance Standards

Develop a network security policy
Secure access to network data
Describe network security devices

Demonstrate the ability to maintain and administer a network

Learning Objectives

Explain the process of network management and administration
Describe the benefits of documenting a network and list what elements should be documented
List the steps of the problem-solving process
Explain different approaches to network troubleshooting

Performance Standards

Create and work with user and group accounts
Create and manage permissions on storage volumes
List reasons why network documentation is good for a network
Demonstrate the steps of the problem-solving process on a network