CISS 120 Course Outline Academic Year 2021-2022

HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

TROY, NEW YORK

Course Outline

COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Data Communication

COURSE SUBJECT & NUMBER: CISS 120
DEPARTMENT: Computer Information Systems
CONTACT HOURS: 4
SEMESTER COURSE IS OFFERED: Fall, Spring
PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITES: None
TEXT(S): We will be using two e-texts, and both are available
without cost. The first text is Introduction to
Networks and the second is Routing and Switching
Essentials.

COURSE FEES: Yes

FINAL EXAM/FINAL PROJECT: Final Project/Final Exam

IS COURSE OFFERED
DISTANCE LEARNING: Yes

DATE PREPARED: January 2023

PREPARED BY: Brian Gidley

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will introduce the student to the organization and design of data networks, and provide the
foundation for the ICND1/CCENT Cisco network certification Topics include networking
applications, network media, Ethernet technology, the TCP/IP protocol suite, network addressing,
operation of routed and switched networks, and configuring both switched and routed network using
simulation tools and live equipment.

STUDENT BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES:

After completing this course, students will be able to:

▪ Describe computer hardware basics, binary and hexadecimal number systems, basic networking
terminology, and internetworking concepts
▪ Identify the major components of a network system, including clients and servers, network
interface cards (NICs), internetworking devices, media, and topologies
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CISS 120 Course Outline Academic Year 2021-2022
▪ Describe the functions, operations, and primary components of local-area networks (LANs) and
wide-area networks (WANs)
▪ Describe the major network access methods and outline the key features of each

▪ Describe the functions and operations of switching technologies

▪ Understand and describe how VLANs create logically separate networks and how routing occurs
between them
▪ Configure a basic switched Ethernet network, including routing between VLANs

▪ Explain the format and usage of IPv4 and IPv6 addressing

▪ Calculate valid subnetwork addresses and mask values so that user/network requirements are met
when given an IPv4 address scheme
▪ Explain the purposes of network routing protocols

▪ Troubleshoot basic router and switching connectivity issues

▪ Create operating configurations on routers and switches using the command line interface of the
Cisco Internet Operating System (IOS)
▪ Configure and troubleshoot basic routing for an enterprise network using static routing and OSPF

▪ Understand, configure, and troubleshoot access control lists (ACLs) for IPv4 networks

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS: Coursework will consist of readings, lab activities and
assignments, homework, tests, and quizzes. Students will typically be assigned laboratory problems
using network simulators, but will be provided an opportunity to implement designs on live equipment
as well.

GRADE COMPUTATION:
Laboratory Assignments 35%
Homework / Class assignments 10%
Quizzes/Chapter Tests 30%
Final Lab Project/Final Exam 25%

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act, Hudson Valley Community College is committed to ensuring educational access
and accommodations for all its registered students, in order to fully participate in programs and course
activities or to meet course requirements. Hudson Valley Community College's students with
documented disabilities and medical conditions are encouraged to access these services by registering
with the Center for Access and Assistive Technology to discuss their particular needs for
accommodations. For information or an appointment contact the Center for Access and Assistive
Technology, located in room 130 of the Siek Campus Center, email us at caat@hvcc.edu, or call 518-
629-7154/TDD: 518-629-7596. Another office that works closely with the Center for Access and
Assistive Technologies to help students manage their mental health and wellness to achieve their
academic and personal goals, is Counseling and Wellness Services. To schedule an appointment to talk
with a counselor, visit of at CTR 260 in the Siek Campus Center, call 518-629-7320, or email us at
counseling@hvcc.edu.

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CISS 120 Course Outline Academic Year 2021-2022

Topical Outline
Topics Reading
Week Networking Overview - Network function and definition; Requirements of networks; Introduction to
1 Components of the Network - End and intermediary devices; LANs, WANs, and Internetworks; Networks Chapters 1&
Using Layered Models; Network Addressing - Purpose of a network Operating System (OS); 2
– Basics of the Cisco IOS; command line interface, understanding the purpose of the
configuration; basic configuration; configuring a network interface
Week Network Protocols - Foundations of data communication; Encoding, encapsulation, delivery. Introduction to
2 OSI and TCP/IP network models; Defining local and remote resources, moving data through Networks Chapters 3
the network
Week Network Access Layer Controlling transfer across local media; Creating a frame; MAC Introduction to
3 techniques; Physical signaling and encoding; Representing bits; Types of physical media; Networks Chapters 4
Connecting end devices (hosts), switches, and routers. Introduction to the Data Link layer.
Purpose of layer 2. Framing. Media access control.
Week Ethernet – Ethernet and Ethernet framing; Media access control Selective forwarding in the Introduction to
4 switch, Building the MAC Address Table; Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), Ethernet types Networks Chapters 5

Week Addressing the Network - IPv4 addresses types; Assigning addresses; Calculating address Introduction to
5 blocks; the mechanics of subnetting; Overview of IPv6 Networks Chapters
6&7
Week Allocating Network address space – Determining number of hosts available; creating subnets; Introduction to
6 Manipulating the subnet mask; Classless Interdomain Routing (CIDR) Networks Chapter 8
Week Transport Layer – TCP and UDP Functions of the transport layer; reliable transport – TCP; Introduction to
7 Flow control, error correction; windowing. Simplified unreliable transport - UDP Networks Chapters 9

Week Network applications, creating TCP/IP networks; establishing and testing end-to-end Introduction to
8 connectivity Networks Chapters
10&11

Week Routing concepts. Static routing. Establishing connectivity to remote networks using static Routing and
9 routing. Creating static routes using the next-hop IP versus specifying a local exit interface. Switching Essentials
Creating a default static route. Creating a summary route. Chapter 1& 2

Week Dynamic Routing Overview of dynamic routing protocols.Configuring dynamic routing using Routing and
10 RIPv2. Switching Essentials
Chapter 3
Week Basics of switched networks Overview of switches, switch configuration, collision domains and Routing and
11 broadcast domains, communication between switches and PCs, configuring switches, verifying Switching Essentials
switch configurations, static MAC addresses, port security, managing operating system images Chapters 4 & 5
and device configuration files
Week VLANs Defining Virtual LANs, broadcast domains with VLANs and routers, VLAN operation, Routing and 5witching
12 motivation for creating VLANs, VLANs and security, VLAN trunking, Frame tagging using Essentials Chapter 6
802.1Q.
Configuring routing between hosts in different Virtual LANs
Week Access Control Configuring standard access control lists Routing and
13 Switching Essentials
Chapter 7
Week Configuring DHCP and NAT Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) for IPv4. Network Address Routing and
14 Translation (NAT) Switching Essentials
Chapter 8 & 9

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CISS 120 Course Outline Academic Year 2021-2022
Week Network Management Routing and
15 Assignment of the final lab project Switching Essentials
Chapter 10

Week Course summary, course review. Final Exam.

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