MIS 44042 Spring 2012 Bakes

M&IS 44042-001

NETWORK THEORY & APPLICATIONS

SPRING 2012

MW 12:30-1:45 PM

108 BSA

INSTRUCTOR:              Dr. Catherine M. Bakes

OFFICE:                       A-405 BSA

OFFICE HOURS:           M 2-4 pm, TR 2:30-4 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, Sixth Edition, Curt M. White, Course Technology Cengage Learning, 2011 (ISBN-10:0538452617 or ISBN-13:9780538452618)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts underlying local and wide area networks, their applications, and an understanding of the relevant terminology. It includes an overview of transmission media, data communications protocols, and network configurations, a description of modulation, error control, multiplexing, and switching techniques, and a discussion of current network technologies, services, standards, and regulations. In addition, students are to complete a team project focusing on some topic from the networking field.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

·         To understand network concepts, technology, applications, and terminology.

·         To have the knowledge to participate in, and contribute to, discussions about networks with co-workers, consultants, and vendors.

·         To have the ability to evaluate existing network technologies.

·         To have the skills needed to analyze future network technologies and assess their usefulness in meeting current and future business needs.

·         To have an awareness of the implications of network standards and regulations.

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

·         To develop strong analytical and problem solving skills.

·         To have the ability to work effectively in project teams, as a participant, presenter, and leader.

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 completed before 11 pm. No assignment will be accepted for credit after its deadline.

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.

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 guest lecture (GL) dates and GL form due dates are subject to change and will be announced in class once they have been confirmed.  

COURSE WEB SITE

Access to the course website is through the University’s course management system.

CLASS EXERCISES

There will be 6 unannounced class exercises during the semester. Each will be distributed at the start of a class period and due at the end.

CLASS SURVEY

There will be 1 class survey during the semester. It will be distributed at the start of a class period and due at the end.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Each homework assignment will emphasize material from the corresponding course module and consist of 10 objective questions. It will be available online for at least 5 days and graded online. You will be allowed 3 attempts until the deadline, and your last attempt will count towards your course grade.

QUIZZES

The quizzes will emphasize the material discussed in class and consist of objective questions. Each quiz will be approximately 10 to15 minutes long and given at the beginning or end of a class period.

A makeup quiz (which may be different from the original) will only be given if you have a legitimate excuse (i.e., sickness, athletic event, religious observation, military responsibility, or death in immediate family), obtain my permission prior to the scheduled quiz time, and provide written documentation. Otherwise you will receive a zero for a missed quiz.

While taking a quiz, you may refer to a 3” by 5” index card which you are to show me when you turn in your quiz.  I strongly recommend being very selective in deciding what to include on the index card. This should help you to prepare better for the quiz and save you time while taking the quiz. Except for an index card, each quiz will be closed book and closed notes.

COMPUTER-BASED TRAINING EXERCISES

The textbook author has posted 10 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 9 sets of these exercises, in a series of 4 batches totaling 48 questions:

Download the zipped folder to your own computer (you only need to do this once, but not on a lab computer) and open the folder. To access the CBTs later, execute the program Animate.exe.

You will be allowed 3 attempts until the deadline to complete each batch, and your last attempt will count towards your course grade. Run the CBT, record your answers to the questions, and submit them online. 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. (NOTE: For CBT Module 1, you only need to record the layers being added to the transmitted packet, not the layers being removed from the packet.)

NETWORK TOOLS EXERCISE

A network tools exercise will be announced in class towards the end of the semester, and a stapled hard copy is to be submitted at the start of class on the due date.

TEAM PROJECT

Each team of 3 or 4 students is to complete a project on a network related topic and present it in class. I will assign you to a team, and then the team will have the option of selecting its topic (which must be relevant to the course and add new information beyond the material I cover) or having me assign one 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 of a topic by the due date, I will assign one for you.

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

Cloud computing

Computer telephony integration/Unified communications

Data, audio, and video compression

Directory services and protocols 

Domain name system

Fiber optic networks (PONs, SONET, WDM)

IPv6

Messaging and collaboration tools

Multiprotocol label switching

Network security

Peer to peer networking

Radio-frequency identification  

Routing algorithms and protocols

Service-oriented architectures

Telecom regulation and deregulation (telecom legislation, net neutrality)

Video communications (IPTV, videoconferencing)

Virtualization

Voice over IP

Wireless communications (WLANs, Bluetooth, WiMax, cellular, wireless sensor networks)

Note that your team’s topic does not have to be on this list, nor is it guaranteed that I will approve a topic that is on the list.

PROJECT OUTLINE

Each team is to prepare a project outline and submit a hard copy. Make sure to include (1) the project title, (2) your team number, (3) team members’ names, and (4) the date.

The outline should be in the form of a bulleted list that is at least 1 page long and provides details of the topics and subtopics to be addressed in your project. Use size 12 Times New Roman font and 1.5 line spacing. All members of the same team will receive the same project outline grade.

PROJECT PRESENTATION

Each team (including every member) is to present their project in class at the end of the semester. The presentation should give a clear, complete, and concise summary of the project and address each of the following items as they relate to your topic:

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

(2)   Types and options

(3)   Strengths and limitations versus alternatives

(4)   Business applications

(5)   Future trends and conclusion 

You are strongly encouraged to (1) use PowerPoint, (2) not read the information you present, (3) begin the presentation by introducing your team and topic and providing 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 (this will be based on the class size and announced in class approx. 2 weeks before the presentations begin). You may assume that a computer and projector will be provided, although I strongly recommend that you have a backup plan in case of equipment failures.

PROJECT PRESENTATION FORMS

You are required to attend all the project presentations at the end of the semester and to submit a project presentation form (available online) for every presentation except your own!  Complete each form during class making sure that you write legibly and follow all the instructions provided.

PEER EVALUATION FORM

All team members are expected to contribute equally to completing a high-quality, integrated, professional project. Each team will be self-managed and responsible for determining the roles played by its members, and the nature of the contributions may differ across team members. It is up to the team to make these decisions appropriately, and all team members should ensure that their contributions are on track and sufficient. 

Project grades will be assigned initially based on how well you satisfy the requirements outlined above.   However, I reserve the right to make adjustments to individual grades based on information you are to provide on a peer evaluation form. You are to use this form (available online) to award points that indicate the value of the contributions of each member of your team and to provide written comments justifying the points you award. Carefully follow all the instructions provided on the form and submit a hard copy.  Failure to complete and submit a peer evaluation form by the specified deadline could result in a negative adjustment to your own project grade.

GUEST LECTURES

You are required to attend both guest lectures (GL) and to submit a GL form (available online) for each. Carefully follow all the instructions provided, and submit a hard copy 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.

Any time you have questions please ask them, in class (raise your hand and, if someone else is speaking, wait until they have finished), during office hours, or via e-mail. This is likely to benefit other students as well as yourself. Similarly, any time you have relevant comments, please share them.

Use of cell phones or pagers 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.

Improper classroom behavior will not be tolerated and is grounds for dismissal from the course, resulting in a grade of F.

MISA

The Management Information Systems Association (MISA) is the student organization for CIS majors or any other students interested in the role of information systems in today's business environment.  Representatives from area businesses, recent IT retirees, and local technology "experts" give presentations at MISA meetings.  MISA also hosts networking socials with experienced professionals as well as tours of local corporate data centers.  MISA members enjoy preferred scholarships, certification exam reimbursements, networking opportunities, guidance in CIS classes, and a great way to land an internship or job.  To learn more visit http://www.kent.edu/business/StudentOrgs/misa/index.cfm

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 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 2012, the course withdrawal deadline is Sunday, March 18, 2012.

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 through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit http://www.registrars.kent.edu/disability/ 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 22, 2012 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.

Grade Change Policy: Once grades are submitted, they are final and will not be changed except in cases of administrative error. Grades will not be changed by allowing students to do additional work (e.g., retaking exams; redoing papers; submitting extra credit papers, reports, etc.) or by using criteria other than those applied to all students in the class. In the event of a possible administrative error, the student must contact the instructor as soon as possible following the awarding of the grade. If the instructor is not available, the department/school chair should be contacted. Grade appeals for reasons other than administrative error must follow established procedures for student academic complaints.

GRADUATION INFORMATION FOR SENIORS

It is your responsibility to apply for graduation before the set deadline. If you apply after the deadline you will be assessed a $200 late fee. Please see your academic advisor as soon as possible if you are uncertain as to your progress toward graduation.  The graduation application deadlines are follows:

Graduation Application Deadlines:

May Graduation:                       Apply before September 15^th

August Graduation:                  Apply before December 15^th

December Graduation:             Apply before March 15^th

To apply for graduation complete the following steps:

1.     Log onto your Flashline account

2.     Click on the Student Tools tab

3.     Look in the Graduation Planning Tool Box

4.     Click on Application for Graduation

**If an error message appears, you must contact your advisor.

COURSE MODULES

Module 1: Data & Signal Fundamentals

Refer to Ch. 1-2 & pgs 356-364

Analog & digital data & signals

Digital coding schemes (NRZ-L, NRZI, Manchester, bipolar-AMI, 4B/5B)

Modulation schemes (AM, FM, PM, QAM, PCM)

Internet access alternatives (cable modem, DSL)

Module 2: Guided & Wireless Communications Media

Refer to Ch. 3 & pgs 351-356, 364-365, & 374-377

Transmission media (twisted-pair, coaxial cable, optical fiber, microwave, satellite)

Telephone system, PBXs & Centrex

Wireless communications (cellular, WiMax, WLANs, Bluetooth, ZigBee)

Module 3: Polling, Multiplexing, & Switching

Refer to Ch. 5 & pgs 126-128, 276-289, 297-300, 364-374, & 377-380

Multipoint lines & polling  

Multiplexing (FDM, DMT, TDM, T carrier system, ISDN, SONET/SDH, STDM, WDM)

Inverse multiplexing

Circuit & packet (datagram, virtual circuit) switching

Frame relay & ATM (congestion, QoS)

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

Refer to Ch. 6 & pgs 42-44, 70-74, 118-119, & 122-126

HDX, FDX, & simplex transmission

Synchronous transmission & throughput

Noise (white noise, impulse noise, crosstalk, echoes, attenuation, dBs)

Error prevention & detection (parity, checksum, CRC)

Error correction & flow control (stop-and-wait, sliding window)

Data codes (ASCII, EBCDIC, Unicode)

Module 5: LANs & Internetworking

Refer to Ch. 7 & pgs 98, 148-150, 316-317, & 409-416

LAN topologies (bus, tree, star, ring)

CSMA/CD protocol

Ethernet LANs (IEEE 802.3 frame format, shared & switched, VLANs, standards)

Internetworking devices (repeaters, switches, routers, firewalls, MPLS)

Wireless LANs (IEEE 802.11)

Module 6: Network Architectures, Protocols, & Services

Refer to Ch. 10 & pgs 15-27, 225, 287-289, 293-297, 372-375, & 447-448

IPv4 addressing (classful & CIDR)

OSI & Internet reference models

Internet protocols & services (IPv4, IPv6, TCP, ICMP, UDP, ARP, DHCP, NAT, VPNs, HTTP, DNS, E-mail, FTP, telnet, VoIP, RTP, SNMP, OSPF, RIP, BGP)

Internet2

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.