Advanced knowledge of networking concepts, specially in routing and remote access
The graduates of our program get the knowledge and develop the following skills:
1. Basic knowledge on the subject.
2. Capacity for analysis and synthesis of the learned knowledge in the networking area.
3. Identify, analyse and methodologically troubleshoot problems in data networks in a lab environment, individually and as a team.
4. Capacity for applying theoretic knowledge in practice.
5. To promote the team work.
6. Oral and written communication.
7. To give a broad vision of the last generation technologies in the market.
The subject is divided in two semesters and the contents included are the following:
1.- Multilayer switching networks
1.1- Network requirements
1.2- Defining VLANs
1.3- Implementing Spanning-tree
1.4- Implementing Inter-VLAN routing
1.5- Implementing High Availability in a Campus Environment
1.6- Wireless LANs
1.7- Configuring Campus Switches to Support Voice
1.8- Minimizing Service Loss and Data Theft in a Campus Network
2.- Optimizing Converged Networks
2.1- Converged Network Connectivity Requirements
2.2- VoIP Implementations
2.3- Introduction to IP QoS
2.4- Implement the Diffserv QoS Model
2.5- Implement Cisco AutoQoS
2.6- Implement Wireless Scalability
The methodology used in this course is based not only on master theoretical classes but also on practice sessions. In the lectures the theoretical contents are taught using slides. In these classes discussions are promoted about concrete themes and the problems proposed during the course are solved. The student reads the curriculum and studies it out of the class time.
The course has an important practical component, so the different practices of the chapters give an idea of the existing related technologies in the market and allow the application of the learned knowledge in practice. The labs are made in teams of two or three people, depending on the lab, promoting the teamwork. These labs are made during the class time. During the classes the teachers promote the teamwork, the critical spirit and the troubleshooting capacity in a methodological way.
Each chapter of the course begins with a lecture of the needed theory, discussion is promoted and several problems are solved. The students do the labs of the chapter and, finally, must pass a quiz about the corresponding chapter. At the end of each chapter block, the students must pass a global quiz exam and a skills exam. The students have the detailed schedule of the whole course from the beginning, so they know the total distribution of lectures, practices, quizzes, final exams and the estimated work.
The resolution of the student questions is performed by different ways: during the class time, during the tuition time, by email or by forums in the course space in the virtual campus. All the course documentation (curriculum, books, slides, labs, exams) is in English, but the lectures are performed in Catalan.
The course evaluation is performed with the following methods:
A. Exams
B. Oral exams
C. Quizzes
F. Team reports
J. Classroom participation
K. Laboratory report
L. Laboratory participation
A continuous evaluation is weekly performed based on on-line quizzes for each chapter. It is also based on the grades over the different labs, according to the lab reports and the student participation in the lab and discussions. The teamwork capacity is promoted by the work in groups of two or three students. The evaluation is completed with the final exam, which is divided in a theoretical part and a skills exam. In this final exam, not only oral communication skills, synthesis and analysis capacity are evaluated, but also networking knowledge and the capacity to apply the knowledge in practice.
This course is divided in two semesters and the final grade is obtained by the arithmetic average between the two, only if the students pass both. Each semester grade has in consideration the partial grades of each chapter (20%), the labs and their reports (10%), the final quiz exam (30%) and the final skills exam (40%). The grades are rounded up depending on class and laboratory participation.
The objectives of this course are evaluated according to the following criteria and evaluation methods:
- Objective 1: Basic knowledge on the subject. [A, B, C, F, K]
- Objective 2: The student should demonstrate ability to develop the synthesis and analysis capacities of the learned knowledge in the networking area [A, B, C, F, K]
- Objective 3: The student should demonstrate ability to identify, analyse and methodologically troubleshoot data networks in a lab environment, individually and as a team [A, B, C, F, K]
- Objective 4: The student should demonstrate capacity for applying theoretical knowledge in practice [A, B, L]
- Objective 5: The student should demonstrate ability to work in a team [F, L]
- Objective 6: The student should demonstrate ability in oral and written communication [A, B, J, L]
- Objective 7: The student should demonstrate ability to give a broad vision of the last generation technologies in the market [A, B, C]
- CCNP 3 and CCNP4 Curriculums from Cisco Networking Academy Program
- R. Froom, Building Cisco Multilayer Switching Networks, 4th edition, Cisco Press (2007)
- Amir S. Ranjbar, CCNP ONT Official Exam Certification Guide, 1st edition, Cisco Press (2007)