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Course Description
Prerequisites: None.
This course introduces networking concepts and terminology, including Data Communications
and Network Services,
Department of OSI Model, Network
Engineering, ComputerTopologies,
Programming,Network Media, Connectivity
and Technology Devices
| Division of Computer
and Security. At the end
Programming ofAnalysis.
and this course students
Valencia are prepared
College, to take the CompTIA Network+
West Campus.
certification examination. 

CTS 1134C W01 – Network

Essentials
Course Syllabus

Andrew Eisler
12/27/2016
 Page |2

Instructor  Andrew Eisler, B.A., M.S., Ed.S.

Title  Professor, Network Engineering Technologies

Student Interaction 
Hours 
E-mail  BlackBoard or [email protected]   (Please use BlackBoard)

Location  Online

Times  NA

Start Date  01/09/2017

Course Credits  3.0

Contact Me 321-480-3448 (cell phone) / 407-582-1039 (office)

CRN 22835

A syllabus is a roadmap for success in a particular course and is a contract between the
student and the instructor. By participating in this course, the student agrees to, and accepts
the terms and conditions of this contract. It is student’s responsibility to carefully read this
syllabus, and to adhere to all college policies and course procedures within. The following
information provides an overview of the course and class practices.

Major Competencies (what you will learn)

1. Apply Networking concepts
2. Discuss the OSI and TCP/IP models
3. Apply Data Communications and Network Services
4. Evaluate Network Protocols
5. Contrast Connectivity Devices
6. Implement Topologies and Access Methods
 7. Apply Network Security Techniques Page |3
8. Implement Virtual Networking

Required Text

Network + Guide to Networks, 6th Edition, Tamara Dean. Cengage Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-133-60819-6

Web Site
Supplementary information for the course is available at:
https://learn.valenciacollege.edu/

The BlackBoard Web site contains class notes, PowerPoint slides, class announcements, the
course syllabus, test dates, and other information for the course.

Email
All students are requested to use their BlackBoard email account. If you have any questions
about the course or need assistance, please contact me by e-mail or phone at any time. Also, you
may submit lab assignments on the due date (see the Course Modules) by submitting ALL of
your work with a date stamp at or before 11:59 P.M. on the due date. Email submissions will
not be accepted.

Grading and Evaluation Criteria

Grading

 The final course grade is based on percentages assigned to the quizzes, labs, and tests
that are assigned throughout the course.

o A 89.5 to 100 %
o B 79.5 to 89.4 %
 o C 69.5 to 79.4 % Page |4
o D 59.5 to 69.4 %
o F Below 59.4 %

Points are available as follows:

o Test 1: 100 points

o Test 2: 100 points

Tests will count for 40 percent of the grade (20 percent each test).

Hands On / Case Project Assignments / Quiz Points

 There will be hands on and case project assignments (from the back of each chapter)
assigned throughout the semester. These assignments will account for 40 percent of
the grade.
 There will be 7 Quizzes (from the text’s different sections). Quizzes will count for 20
percent of the grade.

Test Policies:

 Make-up tests are possible if tests are missed, but format and content may vary from test to
test. Medical (or other) documentation is required before a makeup exam can be arranged.
 The final exam may be comprehensive.
 Make up tests will not be given for the final exam.
• Exam dates can be found in the Syllabus, the BlackBoard Modules, and on the BlackBoard
Course Calendar.
• The Final Exam is mandatory for all students or a grade of “F” will be awarded.

Course Protocols
 Email: email through BlackBoard is the best way to contact me. Please check your
email often for any important information about the course.
 Missed Lectures: Students are responsible for obtaining information about assignments
and material covered or provided during missed lectures (face-to-face or online) from other
students in the course.
 Late Assignments: Assignments must be turned in person on the assigned day for full
credit. There will be a 20% penalty for projects turned in one day late within the due date
and time. There will be a 25% penalty for projects turned in two days within the due date
and time. No assignments will be accepted after two days after the Due Date.
 Academic Integrity: Plagiarism and cheating of any kind on an examination,
homework, project, or any other assignment will not be tolerated. It may result in an “F’ for
that assignment (and can, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an “F” for the entire
course).  The violation may be subject to appropriate referral to the Office of Student
Conduct for further action.
 More than three unexcused absences could result in grade F or Withdrawal from class.
 Failing to take the final exam will result in grade F.
 It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the course. Any withdrawal afterP a g e | 5
the withdraw deadline could result in F.
 No make-up labs, quizzes, homework, or exams are permitted unless prior
arrangement with the instructor has been made.
 You must satisfactorily complete all course requirements in order to receive a
passing grade including: Laboratory Assignments, Exams, Quizzes, and Projects.
 All assignments, examinations, and assessments are to be completed individually.
Cheating is prohibited: An incident of academic dishonesty would lead to withdrawing the
student from the course with grade letter “F” and may also result in recommendation for
expulsion from the program.
 In order to provide you with adequate support, contacting the instructor via cell
phone, Skype, and/or email is a requirement for this course.
 Keep all email communications within the BlackBoard email facility unless your
email is about communicating an emergency and/or about a situation of great urgency.

Important Dates
Please check the school’s calendar at:
http://valenciacollege.edu/calendar/

Course Requirements:
Basic computer navigation skills and access to a computer/Internet.

Quality Expectations, Late Work, Missed Deadlines:

 All students in this course are future professionals and candidates for an Associates’ degree.
You might be the best technologist on the planet, but all I know about you is the quality of
the work you produce in our class. Your work is a direct reflection of you as a professional.
 No assignments will be accepted after two days after the Due Date.
 Failure to upload an assignment correctly is the same as late.
 All tests must be taken during the open window timeline. Once the exam window closes no
make-up exams.
 Make up exceptions:
o If BlackBoard goes down or there’s a similar technical glitch, then I'll adjust the due
dates.
o If you have an emergency, health issue, extenuating circumstance, jury duty, military
duty, contact me. I will need documentation from you before I allow any make-up.
 There is no extra credit anticipated in this course.
 Exams, including a final examination, are online and open-book. The purpose of this course
is to prepare you for reading, understanding, and implementing computer concepts in the
domain of computer networks.
 Our class calendar on BlackBoard will help you keep on track.
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Electronic Class Work
All class work is electronically submitted to BlackBoard. The Syllabus and course Content will
map out each homework, quiz, exam, and reading assignment that is required based on due
dates. If you do not understand please ask questions on the Discussion Board in BlackBoard.

Attendance Policy
You will be held to the required hours of attendance. It is your responsibility to withdraw; I will
not do that for you. You may withdraw by 03/31/2017 for a grade of W. No drinks or food are
allowed near the computers. The college recognizes the correlation between participation and
both student retention and achievement. Any class session or activity missed, regardless of
cause, reduces the opportunity of learning and may adversely affect a student's achievement in
the course. Class attendance/participation is required beginning with the first class meeting, and
students are expected to attend all class “sessions “for which they are registered. It is the
responsibility of the student to arrange all make-up work missed because of legitimate absences
and to notify the instructor when an absence will occur.

The instructor determines the effect of absences on grades. However, students who are
receiving financial aid or veterans' benefits, which are reported, as never attending a course,
will be dropped from the class and benefits adjusted or rescinded. In order to obtain credit for a
course, a student must be in attendance at least 85% of the contact hours listed for a particular
course. The instructor may withdraw any student from the course if they miss more than 15%
of the scheduled class sessions and activities. Students must be enrolled before they can attend
class.

Instructor-Specific Attendance Policy

Instructors are required to monitor their attendance and report students who are not attending
class during the designated reporting periods - normally on a monthly basis - each term. Faculty
members shall publish and distribute a class syllabus at the beginning of each course.
Instructors may require a more rigorous attendance policy due to program requirements or state
mandates of 100% attendance. Specific course requirements will be noted in their syllabi.

Note: Veterans should refer to the college catalog for more information about attendance.

Your academic progress in required and that requires you to attend each meeting day
where lack of progress and or absences could result in an impact to your grade. This
includes not receiving a passing grade or loss of a letter grade regardless of your
assignment grades. You should not miss more than 4 graded assignments. You should not
miss more than 3 days of online class interaction.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

 Collaboration and discussion is encouraged in all course aspects other than actually
 completing the assigned work (exams, homework, projects, etc.). Indeed, collaboration Page |7
often leads to increased understanding of the material being covered. If you have questions
about an assignment, I encourage you to speak up and ask questions about it.
 Plagiarism is a form of fraud and will not be tolerated. You are expected to do your own
work. Copying text or images from any source and claiming it as your own is considered
plagiarism. Submitting copied text as your entire answer on a homework or project, even if
you cite the source, is also a form of dishonesty. I want to read YOUR words, see your
work, not someone else's.
 Any form of academic dishonesty will be appropriately addressed. Valencia College
subscribes to the plagiarism detection resource Turnitin.com. This website provides online
access to software designed to search the internet and compare submitted material to online
content and provide the results of that comparison to the user and thus acts as a mechanism
to reveal plagiarism. All faculty reserve the right to request that assignments be submitted
as electronic files and electronically submit assignments to Turnitin.com. Assignments are
compared automatically with a large database of journal articles, web articles, and
previously submitted papers. The instructor receives a report showing exactly how a
student's paper was plagiarized. For more information, go to http://www.turnitin.com and
http:// www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0304/adap.htm .
 The complete Valencia College student code of conduct can be found on the following site:
http://catalog.valenciacollege.edu/academicpoliciesprocedures/studentcodeofconduct/

Office for Students with Disabilities

Students with documented disabilities that desire to receive services including special testing
conditions, or who need specific accommodations, should register with the Office for Students
with Disabilities (OSD) in the Student Services Building (SSB), Rm. 102). Please call the West
Campus OSD office at 407-582-1523. They will take care of you! There are no disadvantages in
registering, and everything is kept confidential. It does not get written on your transcript or
diploma that services were ever received. Services may not be received without registering.
Additionally, services and accommodations are not retroactive.

Course Schedule
Week Module/Lesson Learning Outcomes Assignment
Title
1 Course Introduction  Course Objectives  Review syllabus.
 Syllabus Review  Review course objectives.
 Online Introductions  Participate in the Class Cafe’
found in BlackBoard
Discussions.

2 Introduction to  List the advantages of  Read Chapter 1

Networking networked computing relative to  Answer Review Questions 1
stand-alone computing through 20 pages 26-29
 Distinguish between  Complete and Submit Project 1-
client/server and peer-to-peer 2 pages 30 to 33
networks  Complete and submit Project 1-
 List elements common to all 3 pages 33 to 35
client/server networks
  Describe several specific uses Page |8
for a network
 Identify some of the
certifications available to
networking professionals
 Identify the kinds of skills and
specializations that will help
you excel as a networking
professional

3 Networking  Identify organizations that set  Read Chapter 2

Standards and the standards for networking  Answer Review Questions 1
OSI Model  Describe the purpose of the OSI through 20 pages 67-70
model and each of its layers  Complete and Submit Project 2-
 Explain specific functions 1 pages 70 to 71
belonging to each OSI model  Complete and submit Project 2-
layer 2 pages 71 to 72
 Understand how two network  Complete and submit Project 2-
nodes communicate through the 3 pages 72 to 73
OSI model
 Discuss the structure and
purpose of data packets and
frames
 Describe the two types of
addressing covered by the OSI
model

4 Transmission Basics  Explain basic data transmission  Read Chapter 3

and Networking concepts, including full  Answer Review Questions
Media duplexing, attenuation, latency, pages 132 to 135
and noise  Complete and submit Hands
 Describe the physical On Project 3-1 on page 135
characteristics of coaxial cable,  Complete and submit Case
STP, UTP, and fiber-optic Projects 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3
media starting on page 137
 Compare the benefits and
limitations of different
networking media
 Explain the principles behind
and uses for serial cables
 Identify wiring standards and
the best practices for cabling
buildings and work areas

5 Introduction to  Identify and explain the  Read Chapter 4

TCP/IP Protocols functions of the core TCP/IP  Answer Review Questions
protocols pages 187 to 190
 Explain the TCP/IP model and  Complete and submit Hands
how it corresponds to the OSI On Project 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-
model 4 starting on page 190
 Discuss addressing schemes for  Complete and submit Case
TCP/IP in IPv4 and IPv6 and Project 4-1, and 4-2 starting on
explain how addresses are page 195
assigned automatically using
DHCP (Dynamic Host
 Configuration Protocol) Page |9
 Describe the purpose and
implementation of DNS
(Domain Name System)
 Identify the well-known ports
for key TCP/IP services
 Describe how common
Application layer TCP/IP
protocols are used

6 Topologies and  Describe the basic and hybrid  Read Chapter 5

Ethernet Standards LAN topologies, and their uses,  Answer Review Questions pages
advantages, and disadvantages 231 to 234
 Describe the backbone  Complete and submit Hands On
structures that form the Projects 5-1 and 5-2 starting on
foundation for most networks page 234
 Complete and submit Case
 Compare the different types of
Projects 5-1 and 5-2 starting on
switching used in data
page 239
transmission
 Explain how nodes on Ethernet
networks share a
communications channel
 Identify the characteristics of
several Ethernet standards

7 Network Hardware,  Identify the functions of LAN  Read Chapter 6

Switching, and connectivity hardware  Answer Review Questions
Routing  Install, configure, and starting on pages 282 to 285
differentiate between network  Complete and submit Case
devices, such as NICs, hubs, Project 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, and 6-4
bridges, switches, routers, and starting on page 289
gateways
 Explain the advanced features
of a switch and understand
popular switching techniques,
including VLAN management
 Explain the purposes and
properties of routing
 Describe common IPv4 and IPv6
routing protocols

8 Wide Area  Identify a variety of uses for  Read Chapter 7

Networks (WANs) WANs  Answer Review Questions
 Explain different WAN starting on page 334
topologies, including their  Complete and submit Hands On
advantages and disadvantages Projects 7-1 on page 238
 Compare the characteristics of  Complete and submit Case
Projects 7-1, 7-2, and 7-3 starting
WAN technologies, including
on page 341.
their switching type,
throughput, media, security,
and reliability
 Describe several WAN
 transmission and connection P a g e | 10
methods, including PSTN,
ISDN, T-carriers, DSL,
broadband cable, broadband
over powerline, ATM, and
SONET

9 Test 1

10
SPRING BREAK

11 Wireless  Explain how nodes exchange

Networking wireless signals  Read Chapter 8
 Identify potential obstacles to  Answer the Chapter 8 Review
successful wireless Questions starting on page 386
transmission and their  Complete and submit Case
repercussions, such as Projects 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 starting
on page 394.
interference and reflection
 Understand WLAN (wireless
LAN) architecture
 Specify the characteristics of
popular WLAN transmission
methods, including 802.11
a/b/g/n
 Install and configure wireless
access points and their clients
 Describe wireless WAN
technologies, including 802.16
(WiMAX), HSPA+, LTE, and
satellite communications

12 In-Depth TCP/IP  Describe methods of network  Read Chapter 9

Networking design unique to TCP/IP  Answer the Chapter 9 Review
networks, including subnetting, Questions starting on page 435
CIDR, and address translation  Complete and submit Hands On
 Explain the differences Projects 9-1 and 9-2 starting on
between public and private page 439
 Complete and submit Case
TCP/IP networks
Projects 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3 starting
 Describe protocols used
on page 444.
between mail clients and mail
servers, including SMTP, POP3,
and IMAP4
 Employ multiple TCP/IP utilities
for network discovery and
troubleshooting

13  Explain virtualization and  Read Chapter 10

Virtual Networks and identify characteristics of  Answer the Chapter 10 Review
Remote Access virtual network components Questions starting on page 476
 Create and configure virtual  Complete and submit Hands On
 servers, adapters, and switches P a g e | 11
Projects 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3
as part of a network starting on page 480
 Describe techniques for  Complete and submit Case
incorporating virtual Project 10-1 on page 491
components in VLANs
 Explain methods for remotely
connecting to a network,
including dial-up networking,
virtual desktops, and thin
clients
 Discuss VPNs (virtual private
networks) and the protocols
they rely on
 Identify the features and
benefits of cloud computing
and NaaS (Network as a
Service)

14  Identify security threats and  Read Chapter 11

Network Security vulnerabilities in LANs and  Answer the Chapter 11 Review
WANs and design security Questions starting on page 545.
policies that minimize risks  Complete and submit Case
 Explain security measures for Project 11-1 and 11-2 starting on
network hardware and design, page 553
including firewalls, intrusion
detection systems, and
scanning tools
 Understand methods of
encryption, such as SSL and
IPSec, that can secure data in
storage and in transit
 Describe how user
authentication protocols, such
as PKI, RADIUS, TACACS+,
Kerberos, CHAP, MS-CHAP, and
EAP function
 Use network operating system
techniques to provide basic
security
 Understand wireless security
protocols, such as WEP, WPA,
and 802.11i

15 Troubleshooting  Describe the steps involved in  Read Chapter 13

Network Problems an effective troubleshooting  Answer the Chapter 13 Review
methodology Questions starting on page 634
 Follow a systematic  Complete and submit Case
troubleshooting process to Project 13-1, 13-2, and 13-4
identify and resolve networking starting on page 640
problems
 Document symptoms,
 solutions, and results when P a g e | 12
troubleshooting network
problems
 Use a variety of software and
12 – Jan (M) hardware tools to diagnose
problems

16 Final Exam Final Exam Final Exam (Chapters 7 to 13)

(Chapters 7 to 13)

Disclaimer
The Syllabus is subject to change at any time and in any manner – the professor will announce
any changes in class, or by Announcement in BlackBoard.

2 – Mar Andrew Eisler, B.A., M.S., Ed.S.

(M) Intellectual Content © Copyright 2017.
All other content © Copyright 2017, Valencia College
9 – Mar (M) For Technical Support, contact the Valencia OIT Help Desk 1-407-785-5555

16 – Mar (M)

23 – Mar (M)

30 – Mar (M)

6 – April (M)

13 – April (M)