H. bloGGus

Teaching and Learning w/ Technology Waypoint

Week 2 (sub page example)


Module 2 — Networking Fundamentals

Learning objectives

Develop a general knowledge of computer networks:

  • Learn the definition of a computer network and its purpose.
  • Understand the various types of network configurations, basic physical
    components as well as the logical organization    , and common standards/protocols associated with multimedia communications and Internetworking.
  • Understand the importance of TCP/IP – the Internet transmission and addressing protocols.
  • Understand the role of the Internet and distinguish between peer-to-peer and client-server architectures on
    the Internet.

Module Overview

Computer networks are a fundamental part of modern information infrastructures. In this module, you will be introduced to basic network terminology and key concepts of computer networks. You will learn what a network is, its structure (or what are called topologies), the different kinds of networks, its relationship to the
Internet, and the benefits of networks. I think you will find that networking isn’t any more difficult to learn than any other computer-related topic.

Once you have a general understanding of the what networks are made of and how they work, the rest of the course will explore what they are typically used for in most work or
educational environments. This module also introduces the integral role of the Internet (a network of networks) for computer networking and the options and
requirements for connecting to the Internet.


Introduction to Computer Networks

Fundamentals of Communication Copyright 2002 Alcatel Internetworking, Inc.

Complete the following online tutorial chapters and lessons:

  1. Introduction to Computer Networking (1 hour)
    • Introduction
    • The Internet
    • The Nets
    • Communication basics
    • (Skip the Overview of OSI Model – too technical for this course)
  2. Physical Infrastructure: complete the lesson on LANS (10 minutes)
  3. LAN Protocols: complete the basic Ethernet lesson (11 minutes)
  4. Routing: complete the IP addressing (15 minutes)
    • See also: Warrior on the Net movie link under Readings below
  5. Wide Area Networks: complete the first two on WANS (23 minutes)
  6. Security Services: complete the Security services lesson (10 minutes) and choose one other lesson.


Network Hardware

Network Models

Remote Access Services

  • Remote Access Guide for Non-Profits: Part 1 and Part 2 Copyright © 2007 CompuMentor

Short History of the Internet

Learning Activities
Readings:

  1. Primary online materials referenced above in this module
  2. Emerging Technologies report
    (pp 28-31; 89-92) by ACT Dept. of Education and Training
  3. JISC Report: What is Web 2.0 (pp 26-30) by Paul Anderson
  4. Watch Warrior on the Net movie: http://www.warriorsofthe.net/movie.html
    This 12 minute animation describes how IP packets are transmitted/routed over the Internet (request/response) from the
    point of view of data packets.

    • I recommend downloading it and opening it with Windows Media Player so you can play it full
      screen if desired.

Exercises:

See Instructions page or tab under Week 2 on course weblog for updated instructions on this module

  1. Explore the Edublogs support page: http://edublogs.org/support
  2. Set up the WordPress bookmarklet (Press It) feature for WordPress that adds a link to your browser toolbar to make it easy to write a blog post about any
    webpage you are on.

  3. Make a blog post about a topic of interest in this module by Friday, 6/1/07.
  4. Access the group project wiki (http://edit574su07.pbwiki.com/) and practice adding content, using features, and making some edits. You can view the demo movies on this page to get started or jump right in. The Group Charter that you all need to collectively develop is located here: http://edit574su07.pbwiki.com/Group+Charter but there is a link to it from Side Bar on the right side of all wiki pages. You can use the Sidebar to build a menu per example sites.

Weekly Discussion — N/A

Group Wiki Project

  • Students complete group project charter and timetable by 6/3/07

Reflective Questions

  • What types of computer networks or servers do you use at your work?
  • What is the significance of TCP/IP protocol (handshake) and its relationship to the Internet?
  • How do networks make possible the sharing of resources and services?
  • What is the main difference between peer-to-peer and server-based networks?
  • What is the relationship of WANs to LANs and the Internet?
  • What is the difference between the Word Wide Web and the Internet? What factors underlie the success
    of the Internet addressing scheme (IP)?
  • What makes HTTP so successful as a single protocol for browsing/retrieving data
    on the Web?
  • Explore the meaning of Metcalfe’s Law which states that “the cost of a network expands linearly with increases in network size but the value of the
    network increases exponentially”, or said differently, “that the value of a communications system grows as the square of the number of users of
    the system”. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metcalfe%27s_law

Additional Resources

    1. Telnet
    2. DNS
    3. How Information is Routed Across the Internet
    1. Introduction to Networks — RAD Tutorial


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