Professors
Basic knowledge of networking concepts.
The subject of Computer Network Technologies aims to train students to obtain the necessary knowledge to:
O1. Design and build scalable computer networks applying high availability criteria.
O2. Install, configure and perform the operation of medium-sized local area networks (LAN).
O3. Maintain medium-sized computer networks formed by switched environments of level 2 and with level 3 addressing.
O4. Install, configure and perform the operation of wide area networks (WAN) and network access services of approximately 100 computers.
O5. Monitor a network to detect erroneous operations and apply best error resolution practices to recover the correct operation of them.
O6. Acquire a good foundation to submit to the official certification "Cisco Certified Network Associated (CCNA)".
Additionally, the students who study the subject acquire the knowledge and develop the skills indicated below:
O7. Communicate effectively orally.
O8. Knowledge of a second language (English).
O9. Basic skills in the use of the computer.
O10. Identify, analyze and solve problems in data networks in a methodological way in a laboratory environment.
O11. To promote teamwork.
O12. Ability to work in an international context.
O13. Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
O14. Ability to learn.
O15. Ability to generate new ideas to solve practical problems.
O16. Ability to work autonomously.
Part 1. Routing and Switching Essentials module
1. Basic routing concepts. Router operation and configuration
2. Static routing operation and implementation
3. Dynamic routing
4. Introduction to dynamic routing protocols. Routing Information Protocol version 2 (RIPv2). Understanding routing tables
5. Introduction to switched networks. Design of small and medium size switched networks
6. Switch operation and configuration
7. Virtual LANs. Concepts and configuration. InterVLAN routing
8. Security through Access Control Lists (ACL)
9. Dynamic assignment of IP addressing using DHCP
10. Translation of IPv4 addresses using NAT
11. Network management and maintenance (remote management and backups)
Part 2. Scaling Networks module
1. Design of advanced Campus-type networks
2. VLAN Trunking Protocol and Dynamic Trunking Protocol, multilayer switches and L3 switching
3. STP and Rapid STP operation
4. Link aggregation via Etherchannels. Redundancy and high availability with HSRP
5. Distance Vector and Link State dynamic routing protocols
6. Enhanced Interior Gateway Protocol (EIGRP) operation and configuration
7. Advanced EIGRP features and error resolution
8. Single-Area Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) operation and configuration
9. Multiarea OSPF operation and configuration
10. Advanced OSPF features and error resolution
Part 3. Connecting Network module
1. Wide Area Network (WAN) concepts and technologies
2. Operation and implementation of point-to-point connections (PPP)
3. Remote WAN connections (PPPoE, VPNs, GRE, eBGP)
4. ACLs application in WAN environment
5. Network security and monitoring tools (SNMP, SPAN, RSPAN)
6. Characteristics and mechanisms of quality of service (QoS)
7. Network evolution (IoT, Cloud and virtualization, programmable networks)
8. Troubleshooting methodologies and good practices
The methodology used in this course is based as well on magisterial theoretical classes as in practical sessions. In the magisterial classes the theoretical contents are taught using slides. In these classes, some discussions are promoted about concrete topics and the problems proposed during the course are solved.
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 the practical scenarios. The labs practices are done in groups of two promoting the teamwork. These labs are done 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; additionally discussion and problem solving are promoted. The students make the labs of the chapter and, finally, they must pass a quiz on the corresponding chapter. At the end of each chapter block (part 1, part 2 or part 3), the students must pass a global test exam and a skills exam. The students have the detailed schedule of the whole course from the beginning of it, so they truly know the complete distribution of lectures, practices, quizzes and final exams. The resolution of the student´s questions is performed by different ways: during the class time, by email or by forums in the course space in the School´s intranet.
All the course documentation (books, slides, practices, exams) is in English language, even though the lectures are taught in Catalan or Spanish.
The course evaluation is performed with the following methods:
A. Computer-based test exams
B. Final test exam (for each part)
C. Final skills exam (for each part)
F. Reports / group work
K. Laboratory reports
A continuous evaluation is weekly performed based on on-line quizzes for each chapter. In addition, the evaluation is 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 team works, which have to be presented in a written format. Public presentations about certain topics are proposed and they boost oral expression skills. The evaluation is completed with the final exam, which is formed by a theoretical part (written exam) and a skills part. In this final exam the oral communication skills and the synthesis and analysis capacity are also evaluated, at the same time as the networking knowledge and the capacity to apply the knowledge learn to the practice.
The subject is divided into three parts and the final grade is obtained from the following weighted formula:
NF = 35% N1 + 35% N2 + 30% N3
Where, NF is the final grade for the subject and N1, N2 and N3 are the grades corresponding to each part.
To pass the subject, NF must be equal to or greater than 5.
Each part (N1, N2 and N3) takes into account the marks of the test-type exams (25%), the lab practices carried out and their reports (15%), the design and implementation work (15%), the theoretical final exam test type (15%) and the practical exam (30%). Participation in class or in the laboratory practices influences the final grade.
The objectives of the subject are evaluated following the criteria and evaluation methods shown below:
O1. Design and build scalable computer networks applying high availability criteria [A, B, C, F, K].
O2. Install, configure and perform the operation of medium-sized local area networks (LAN) [C, F, K].
O3. Maintain medium-sized computer networks formed by switched environments of level 2 and with level 3 addressing [C, F, K].
O4. Install, configure and perform the operation of wide area networks (WAN) and network access services of approximately 100 computers [C, F, K].
O5. Monitor a network to detect erroneous operations and apply best error resolution practices to recover the correct operation of them. [C, F, K].
O6. Acquire a good foundation to submit to the official certification "Cisco Certified Network Associated (CCNA)" [A, B, C, F, K].
O7. Communicate effectively orally [C, F, K].
O8. Knowledge of a second language (English) [A, B, C, F, K].
O9. Basic skills in the use of the computer [A, B, C, F, K].
O10. Identify, analyze and solve problems in data networks in a methodological way in a laboratory environment [C, F, K].
O11. To promote teamwork [F, K].
O12. Ability to work in an international context [A, B, C, F, K].
O13. Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practice [C, F, K].
O14. Ability to learn [B, C, F].
O15. Ability to generate new ideas to solve practical problems [C, F, K].
O16. Ability to work autonomously [A, B, C, K].
CCNA Curriculum from Cisco Networking Academy Program
Wendell Odom, CCNA Routing and Switching 200-125 Official Cert Guide Library, Cisco Press, 2016, ISBN-13: 978-1-58720-581-1.
Wendell Odom, CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-105 Official Cert Guide, Cisco Press, 2016, ISBN-13: 978-1-58720-580-4.
Wendell Odom, CCNA Routing and Switching ICND2 200-105 Official Cert Guide, Cisco Press, 2016, ISBN-13: 978-1-58720-579-8.