Networking and Telecommunications

Course Composition and Objectives

• Computer Network Components: Explain the components of computer networks and their relationships to each other
  • Illustrate current network applications (Web, Social Networking, Peer-to-Peer, Mobile Apps, and Cloud Computing)
  • Describe how applications my use the network differently
  • Identify the common network topologies (e.g., bus, ring and star) and scope (e.g., PAN, LAN, WAN, MAN)
  • Compare and contrast the use of hubs, switches, and routers
  • Identify the opportunity and need for network security
  • Examine the OSI and Internet reference models and identify roles that individual protocols and equipment play in a network implementation
  • Explain the concept of encapsulation as it applies to the network stack and protocols
  • Examine wireless networking technologies, including 802.11
• Application Layer Protocols: Explain the impact of Application Layer Protocols on the user and the network
  • Describe the application layer protocols and their role in the protocol stack
  • Describe the utility of network support protocols (e.g., DHCP and DNS)
  • Compare and contrast network traffic based on email (SMTP, POP, IMAP), web (HTTP), file transfer (FTP) and network administration (SNMP) protocols
• Transport Layer Protocols: Describe how different Transport Layer Protocols package data for transmission across the network
  • Compare and contrast the differences between TCP, UDP and ICMP
  • Explain principles of congestion and flow control
  • Describe the relationship between sequence numbers, fragmentation and fairness in TCP/IP
  • Describe the how data is sent across a network
• Layer Protocols and Routers: Discuss how network layer protocols and routers move packets across the network
  • Demonstrate understanding of network layer protocols
  • Explain the interaction between the transport layer and network layer protocols
  • Demonstrate high-level understanding of the interaction between the network and link layers
  • Distinguish between process names, port numbers, IP addresses, and network interfaces
  • Identify need for IPv6 and describe differences between IPv4 and IPv6
  • Calculate basic subnet properties (subnet address, broadcast address, subnet size) in IPv4 under CIDR and IPv6
• Layer Protocols and Routers: Explain the Link Layer and the Physical Layer
  • Describe link-layer addressing and the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
  • Describe the common uses of physical and wireless media (coax, twisted pair, fiber, RF, microwave, etc.)
  • Express characteristics of multiple transmission technologies
  • Define key characteristics of Ethernet protocols
  • Define the process of modulation and demodulation and the components of that process through one or more network technologies
  • Describe the operation of ARP
• Design Networks
  • Illustrate the design and analysis of networks
  • Practice common tasks conducted while administering LANs
  • Capture end-user requirements for network use; select matching network design components and features
  • Describe how DHCP operates
• Instructors Choice: Instructors may choose topics and learning objectives that meet the spirit of the course as defined here. Instructors may choose to devote more time to the learning objectives listed above or to add additional, complementary objectives. Supplementary material and objectives should not overlap with the defined content of other courses in the curriculum.
  • Appropriate topics and learning objectives include the following:
    • 802.11 Wireless LANs
    • Cellular networking overview
    • Mobility in the same subnet
    • Cellular Data networks
    • CDMA

Course Description

Computer networks are the backbone of digital communications, and are increasingly integral to voice communications as well. This course introduces the basics of computer networks to students who seek to pursue a career in information technology and cyber security. Starting from a discussion of common network applications such as the Web and e-mail, the course addresses network design and implementation issues at each network layer. The course discusses the issues involved in efficiently transporting data while maintaining high availability and design modularity.

IST 220 aims to provide students with a solid background that can be used by those seeking to evaluate new networking technologies, identify problems in existing networks, and design and implement network applications or designs to address the needs of the organization deploying computer networks. As a required core course for both the two-year and four-year IST degrees, it is a critical part of the curriculum.

While the course is about digital technology and how it works, it is not a professional certification course or a training course in particular equipment and/or applications. Furthermore, although there will be demonstrations of relevant technologies, the course is not equipment-intensive and will not involve special technology needs beyond the normal access to computing and the Internet.