Course

Course Summary
Credit Type:
Course
ACE ID:
SAYA-0016
Organization's ID:
CS402
Organization:
Saylor Academy
Location:
Online
Length:
Self-paced (105 hours)
Dates Offered:
Credit Recommendation & Competencies
Level Credits (SH) Subject
Lower-Division Baccalaureate 3 Computer Science, Information Systems, or Computer Networking
Description

Objective:

The course objective is to provide a clear understanding of how networks, from in-home LANs to the Internet, are built and how they allow us to use computers to share information and communicate with one another. The course implements a top-down approach to teach students the details about each layer and the relevant protocols used in computer networks.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Describe the architecture of a computer network and explain how each device in a network communicates with each other
  • Recognize and differentiate between the various services and functionalities of specific mechanisms in each protocol and their usage in a computer network
  • Compare and contrast each layer in the TCP/IP model with those in the OSI model
  • Define socket programming and explain its role in application processing
  • Describe and compare application protocols such as VoIP and IPTV
  • Describe the processes in each layer of the network protocol that enables different networks to share resources
  • Describe the basic network protocols in each layer of a TCP/IP stack and the purpose of each protocol
  • Explain the role of the Network Request for Comment (RFC)
  • Describe IP addressing and explain its purpose
  • Explain packet collisions and how they are corrected in the link layer
  • Define CSMA and describe its use in the link layer
  • Explain TCP/IP security related issues

General Topics:

  • Networking fundamentals including services and protocols, reference models (TCP/IP, OSI), wide area networks, transmission media
  • The application layer including peer-to-peer, transport services, application-level protocols (DNS, SMTP, POP3, HTTP, SNMP, SSH), and writing simple networked applications
  • The transport layer (TCP/UDP) including user datagram protocol (UDP), transmission control protocol (TCP), stream control transmission protocol (SCTP), and real-time transport protocol (RTTP)
  • The network layer including the control plane (static routing, distance vendor routing, link state routing), Internet protocol (IPv4, ICMPv4, IPv6, ICMPv6, middleboxes, firewalls, NAT), routing in IP networks (intradomain routing, RIP, OSPF, interdomain routing), and resource management
  • The link layer including framing, error detection, medium access control (static allocation methods, ALOHA, CSMA, CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA, deterministic medium access control algorithms), technologies (point-to-point protocol, Ethernet and switches, 802.1d, virtual LANs, 802.11 wireless networks), hubs, switches, and network routers
  • Multimedia, security, and cloud computation over the Internet including VoIP, IPTV, TCP/IP security, cloud computing, RADIUS, TACACS+, LDAP, network reliability and fault tolerance
Instruction & Assessment

Instructional Strategies:

  • Audio Visual Materials
  • Computer Based Training
  • Lectures
  • Practical Exercises

Methods of Assessment:

  • Examinations

Minimum Passing Score:

70%
Supplemental Materials