64081-Bakes

BAD 64081-001

DATA COMMUNICATIONS

SPRING 2015

W 5:30-8:15 pm

Room A-404 BSA

INSTRUCTOR:              Dr. Catherine M. Bakes

OFFICE:                       A-405 BSA

OFFICE HOURS:           Mon 1:45-4 pm, Thurs 1:15-4 pm, and by appointment

OFFICE PHONE:           (330) 672‑1162                          

E-MAIL:                        cbakes@kent.edu

TEXT:                           Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User's Approach, Seventh Edition, Curt M. White, Course Technology Cengage Learning, 2013, http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9781133626466

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts underlying local and wide area networks and their applications. It includes an overview of data communications protocols, transmission media, wireless technologies, and network hardware, topologies, architectures, and standards. Modulation, error control, multiplexing, and switching techniques are also discussed. In addition, students are to complete 2 projects focusing on topics from the field of data communications.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course students should:

·         Understand data communications concepts, technology, applications, and terminology.

·         Have the knowledge to participate in, and contribute to, discussions about data communications with co-workers, consultants, and vendors.

·         Have the ability to evaluate existing data communications technologies.

·         Have the skills needed to analyze future data communications technologies and assess their usefulness in meeting current and future business needs.

·         Have an awareness of the implications of data communications standards and regulations.

·         Have the communication skills needed to write clearly and give effective presentations.

·         Have strong analytical and problem solving skills.

GRADING POLICY

On their respective due dates, course assignments requiring hard copy submission are to be turned in during class and those requiring electronic submission are to be submitted before 11:59 pm. Unless you have a legitimate excuse with supporting documentation and obtain my permission prior to the due date (or, if that’s impossible, at the first opportunity after the due date), you will receive a zero for a missed or late assignment.

If you have questions concerning a grade you receive on any course assignment, it is your responsibility to inform me within 1 week of the graded assignment being returned. Grades will not be discussed after that time. Also, to protect your privacy, any issues related to your performance in the course will only be discussed in my office or via e-mail.

After rounding your numeric score to the nearest integer, your course letter grade will be assigned according to the scale:  A = 93-100; A- = 90-92; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76; C- = 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D = 60-66; and F = 0-59.

COURSE SCHEDULE

⁺ The dates for the project presentations and guest lectures (GL) and the due dates for the PPT files, project presentation forms, and GL forms are all subject to change and will be announced in class as they are confirmed.  

⁺⁺ During finals week, we are scheduled to meet on Wednesday 5/6 at 5:45-8 pm.

COURSE WEB SITE

Access to the course website is through Blackboard (Bb), the University’s course management system. To log on, go to http://learn.kent.edu and enter your username and password.

COMPUTER-BASED TRAINING EXERCISES

The textbook author has posted 11 sets of interactive computer-based training (CBT) exercises in a zipped folder at http://facweb.cs.depaul.edu/cwhite/cbts.htm. At appropriate times throughout the semester you are to complete 10 sets of these exercises, in a series of 5 batches totaling 48 questions:

To install the CBTs on your computer (which only needs to be done once), download the zipped folder and open it. After the installation is complete, you can access the CBTs anytime you wish by running the Animate.exe program. To complete each assignment, run the appropriate CBT module(s) on your computer, note the answers to the questions, and then go to Bb to submit them.  At least 5 days will be available for submitting your answers to Bb.

You will be permitted 3 attempts to submit each CBT assignment on Bb, and your best attempt will count towards your course grade. Each correctly answered question will be worth 0.1 points and, if you answer all 48 questions correctly, you will receive a bonus of 0.2 points.

*For the Packet Encapsulation Module, you only need to record the layers being added to the transmitted packet, not the layers being removed from the packet.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Each homework assignment will cover material from the corresponding course module and be available on Bb for at least 5 days. You will be permitted 3 attempts, and your best attempt will count towards your course grade.

EXAMINATIONS

There will be 3 take home exams emphasizing the material discussed in class. Each exam will cover 2 course modules as well as any relevant guest lectures, and you will have at least 1 week to complete it.

While taking an exam, you may refer to one 1-sided 8 ½ x 11” page of notes.  I strongly recommend being very selective in deciding what to include on the page. This should help you to prepare better for the exam and save you time while taking the exam. Except for your page of notes, each exam will be closed book and closed notes.

GUEST LECTURES

You are required to attend all of the guest lectures (GL) and to complete a GL form for each one. Download the form from Bb, carefully follow all the instructions provided, and submit a hard copy at the start of class on the due date.

COURSE PROJECTS

Each student is to complete 2 projects on data communications related topics and present them in class. You will have the option of selecting your topics (which must be relevant to the course and add new information beyond the material I cover) or having me assign them for you. If you choose the former option, you must obtain my approval by the project topic due date. You may do this during office hours or by e-mail. If you do not obtain my approval by the due date, I will assign topics for you.

For ideas on possible project topics, I suggest that you browse through the text, explore the Internet, and/or consult the following list:

Cloud computing

Data, audio, and video compression

Directory services and protocols 

Domain name system

Fiber optic networks (Google Fiber, FiOS, PONs, SONET, U-verse, WDM)

Intelligent transportation systems

Internet of Things/Internet of Everything

IPv6

Messaging and collaboration tools

Mobile and wireless networks (WLANs, Bluetooth, cellular, wireless sensor networks)

Multiprotocol label switching

Near field communications

Network security

Radio-frequency identification  

Smart grid

Telecom regulation and deregulation (telecom legislation, net neutrality)

Unified communications

Video communications (IPTV, videoconferencing)

Virtualization

            Voice over IP

Note that your topics do not have to be on this list, nor is it guaranteed that I will approve topics that are on the list.

PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

Each student is to present their projects in class during the semester. Each presentation should give a clear, complete, and concise summary of the project and have a section for each of the following items:

(1)   Background and overview (i.e., what the topic is, what it does, and how)

(2)   Types and options

(3)   Strengths and limitations versus alternatives

(4)   Business applications and implications

(5)   Future trends and conclusion 

Use PowerPoint to develop your presentations, submit each PPT file via e-mail before the day of your presentation, and name the file “64081 Presentation X” where “X” is the project title.

When giving a presentation, you are strongly encouraged to (1) not read the information you present, (2) begin the presentation by introducing yourself and your topic, (3) provide an outline of the subtopics to be addressed, (4) include illustrative figures and tables (and a hands-on demonstration if appropriate), (5) conclude the presentation with a summary of the key findings, and (6) rehearse your presentation to ensure that it fits the allotted time (probably 20 minutes per presentation, followed by 10 minutes for Q&A). You may assume that a computer and projector will be provided, although I strongly recommend having a backup plan in case of equipment failures.

PROJECT PRESENTATION FORMS

You are required to attend all of the project presentations and to submit a form (available on Bb) for every presentation except your own!  Print each form (and staple the pages if there is more than one), bring it to class on the appropriate day, complete it during class (make sure to write legibly and to follow all the instructions provided), and submit it before you leave.

NETWORK TOOLS EXERCISE

A network tools exercise will be assigned during the semester, for which a stapled hard copy is to be submitted at the start of class on the due date.

ATTENDANCE AND CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

Attendance is not mandatory but is highly recommended if you wish to do well in the course. You are responsible for all material presented in class and should not expect any special consideration if you miss material due to being absent.

You are expected to be respectful of our guest speakers, other students, and the instructor at all times during the semester. It is not fair to others to cause a disruption by the noise and disturbance of a late arrival or early departure. Therefore, unless you have a legitimate reason for doing so, do not come to class late or leave early. Also, if you must leave the classroom temporarily, please do so quietly.

Any time you have questions please ask them, in class, during office hours, or via e-mail. This is likely to benefit other students as well as yourself. Also, any time you have relevant comments, please share them.

Use of cell phones is not permitted during class. They must be turned off before class begins, stored somewhere they are not in view, and not taken out or turned back on until after class has ended.

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Prerequisites: Students attending the course who do not have the proper prerequisite risk being deregistered from the class.

Academic Honesty:  Cheating means to misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic work (e.g., tests, papers, projects, assignments) so as to get undeserved credit.   In addition, it is considered to be cheating when one cooperates with someone else in any such misrepresentation.  The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offense.  It is the University's policy that cheating or plagiarism result in receiving a failing grade for the work or course.  Repeat offenses result in dismissal from the University.

Course Withdrawal: For Spring 2015, the course withdrawal deadline is Sunday, March 22, 2015.

Students with Disabilities:  University policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these accommodations through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit http://www.kent.edu/sas/index.cfm for more information on registration procedures).

Course Registration: Students have responsibility to ensure they are properly enrolled in classes.  You are advised to review your official class schedule (using Student Tools on FlashLine) during the first two weeks of the semester to ensure you are properly enrolled in this class and section.  Should  you find an error in your class schedule, you have until Sunday, January 25, 2015 to correct the error.  If registration errors are not corrected by this date and  you continue to attend and participate in classes for which you are not officially enrolled, you are advised now that you will not receive a grade at the conclusion of the semester for any class in which you are not properly registered.

COURSE MODULES

Module 1: Data & Signal Fundamentals

Refer to Ch. 1-2 & pgs 312-318 & 326-327

Analog & digital data & signals

Digital coding schemes 

Analog modulation schemes 

Pulse code modulation

Cable modems, DSL, & other Internet access alternatives

Module 2: Conducted & Wireless Communications Media

Refer to Ch. 3 & pgs 116, 264-265, 307-312, 318-319, & 327-330

Wired & wireless transmission media 

Telephone system history

PBXs & unified communications

Cellular communications

Module 3: Polling, Multiplexing, & Switching

Refer to Ch. 5 & pgs 113-115, 247-252, 261-265, 318-327, & 330-333

Multipoint lines & polling  

Multiplexing, T carrier system, ISDN, & SONET

Circuit & packet switching

Frame relay & ATM

Congestion control, QoS, & service level agreements

Module 4: Transmission Alternatives, Error Control, & Flow Control

Refer to Ch. 6 & pgs 37-39, 51-57, 64-68, 106, 110-113, & 232-233

HDX, FDX, & simplex transmission

Synchronous transmission & throughput

Noise, distortion, & decibels 

Error control & flow control 

Data codes 

Module 5: LANs & Internetworking

Refer to Ch. 7 & pgs 67-68, 88, 134-136, 208-214, 242-246, 282-283, & 359-368

LAN topologies & structured cabling systems

Ethernet 

VLANs, Power over Ethernet, & Metro Ethernet

IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs

Internetworking devices & Multiprotocol Label Switching

Module 6: Network Architectures, Protocols, & Services

Refer to Ch. 10 & pgs 14-24, 197-198, 252-261, 325-328, & 392-393

IPv4 & IPv6

Classful addressing, CIDR, & NAT

OSI & Internet reference models

TCP/IP protocols & services

NOTE:  I will make every effort to follow the schedule on page 2 and to cover topics in the order listed above. However, depending on the pace of the class, we may cover some topics earlier or later than planned. Any schedule changes will be announced in class, or you will be notified by e-mail.