Lesson Plan
Course Title: Business Information Management I
Session Title: Essentials for Network Design
Performance Objective:
After completing this lesson students will be able to design a cost efficient network and explain
the advantages and disadvantages of the variations of topologies.
Specific Objectives:
 Design a network layout

Assimilating hubs into a personal network

Incorporate switches into a network

Deciding a first-class network topology a network environment
Terms:
 Hubs – used to connect segments of a LAN that uses multiple ports.
 Active topology – a network topology in which the computers are responsible for sending
the data along the network.
 Active Hubs – a device that regenerates received signals and sends them along the
network.
 Wireless Access Point (WAP) – a central hub device for which signals pass in a wireless
network.
 Passive Hub – a connection point, which is central for signals to pass without regeneration.
 Hybrid Hubs – a device used to interconnect different types of cables and to maximize
network efficiency.
 Switch – a specialized networking device that manages networked connections between
any pair of star-wired devices on a network.
 Mesh Topology – hybrid network topology used for fault tolerance, and one in which all
computers connect to each other.
 Bus Topology – one of the major network topologies in which the computers connect to a
backbone cable with the segment forming a straight line.
 Star Bus – another major topology which the computers connect via a central connecting
point, majority of the time used a hub.
 Star Ring – a wired-like star networked topology device, which handles traffic like a ring.
 Ring – a topology consisting of computers connected in a circle, forming a closed ring.
Preparation
TEKS:
 130.114.c.1.A-C – a explain the strategic role of information systems and information
communication technology within an organization; determine risks and rewards of
developing a strategic role for information systems and information communication
technology; integrate information systems planning with business planning
 130.114.c.2.A – identify the management information requirements and business needs of
an organization
 130.114.c.3.A – determine equipment and supplies needed…
 130.114.c.5.B-D – improve touch-system skills using the keyboard and keypad to input data;
demonstrate writing techniques generating ideas and gathering information relevant to the
topic and purpose, maintaining accurate records of outside sources
English:
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
110.31.b.15.B – write procedural or work-related documents (e.g., instructions, e-mails,
correspondence, memos, project plans)
 110.31.b.19 – Students are expected to spell correctly, including using various resources to
determine and check correct spellings.
 110.31.c.22.B&C – evaluate the relevance of information to the topic and determine the
reliability, validity, and accuracy of sources; implement changes as the need occurs and is
identified
Teacher Preparation:
 Teacher will review the terms in the outline and power point.
 Teacher should locate and evaluate various resources and websites before the lesson.
 Teacher will have assignments and website information ready to distribute to students.
 Teacher will review Mammals content, this activity is a cross curriculum assignment
between 2007 Access and Biology.
References:
 Ciampa, Mark, Networking Basics, 2nd Edition, Course Technology, 2002, ISBN: 0-61905582-0

Brainbell http://www.brainbell.com/tutorials/Networking/Mesh_Topology.html
Click the previous button on the Brainbell website to see the other Topologies.
Reading: http://www.fcit.usf.edu/network/chap5/chap5.htm
International Society for Technology in Education: http://www.iste.org/standards.aspx
Instructional Aids:
 Display for PowerPoint,
 websites for assignments
 projector for video
Materials Needed:
 Internet
 Workstations running any Windows OS
Equipment Needed:
 Computer with PowerPoint and Internet Access
 A lab or other access to workstations that have Internet access and Web browsers
Learner Preparation:
 Introduce students to the term “topology” by explaining the difference between arrangement
of cabling and how data is passed from one device to another.
 Discuss the reasons why the topology of a network is important.
 Emphasize how the logical topology can dictate the type of equipment needed when building
the network.
Introduction
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
In Computer Networking “topology” refers to the layout or design of the connected devices.
Network Topologies can be physical or logical. Physical topology refers to physical design of
network which includes devices, cables, location and installation of network where as logical
topology it is the amount of data to be transferred with in the network as apposed in its design.
There are five different Networking Topologies: Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, and Tree, but we will
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only discuss the few of them in today‟s lesson. Later, you will have an independent practice
activity where you will need to broaden your knowledge you skills and know some international
technology standards for the assignment. (Note to Instructor: A link to the ITSE site has been
provided for you in the reference section of the lesson plan).
Outline
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructors can use the PowerPoint presentation, slides, handouts, and note pages in conjunction
with the following outline.
MI
Outline
1. Hubs
a. Active –requires electrical power to run.
b. Passive-passes signals along
c. Hybrid-maximize network‟s efficiency by
interconnecting different types of cables
and topologies.
2. Switches- Switch offers greater bandwidth
and intelligence, providing significant
performance advantages over hubs.
Switches have become device of choice in
corporate star topology networks
3. Variations of Major Topologies
a. Mesh- Devices are connected with many
redundant interconnections between
network nodes.
b. Star Bus- All nodes are connected to one
central node that routes all data passing
to and from them. All computers are
connected to a central computer (file
server). The disadvantage is that if this
file server breaks down then all the
computers are affected.
c. Star Ring- A faster system and it is easier
to add more computers. „Tokens' of
data are passed round the ring (in one
direction only) and collected by the
receiving computer.
Notes to Instructor
Use PowerPoint as visual
aids.
Have students read the
information that is in the link,
located in the References
Section of the lesson.
A network topology in which
the computers are
responsible for sending the
data is called an active hub,
also known as a multiport
repeater. Most of the hubs
installed in networks are
active.
When discussing the
variations of topologies, a
bus sends a broadcast
message onto the wire that
all other devices see. It is
the simplest topology and
used to be most common.
The intended recipient
actually accepts and
processes the message.
A mesh network in which
every device connects to
every other is called a full
mesh. A mesh can take any
of several possible paths
from source to destination.
A double ring topology
commonly uses a backbone
network. Access is
achieved either by means of
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a token, passed from one
node to the other, or by
polling, a kind of inquiry
made by a master station.
Most fault tolerant topology it
also offers multiple
connections to each device.
 Uses convoluted
cabling configuration;
 Every device
connected to others
in network.
 Mesh topologies are
expensive to
implement.
Data on a star network
always passes through the
hub, switch, or concentrator
before continuing to its
destination.
Verbal
Linguistic
Logical
Mathematical
Visual
Spatial
Musical
Rhythmic
Bodily
Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
Application
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Have students create a graphic organizer to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each
of the variations of topologies.
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students will design networks for two classrooms for the new facility that will be opening in the
Spring of the upcoming year. The district is requesting an in house network and a traveling
classroom. They must have connectivity for 45 IPod‟s and a server. District administrators have
made it clear about the upcoming budget shortfall, and designers must use the funds wisely.
The project has to be inexpensive and have an easy set-up. Once you have come up with the
network design for the two classrooms, the proposal must be presented to the School Board at
the end of the year. Ensure you have documented the benefits of each classroom.
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Evaluation
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
ASK: True or False: An active hub requires no power.
Answer: False – passive hub requires no power
ASK: Which networking device can provide dedicated bandwidth?
Answer: switch
ASK: True or False: In a bus topology, if one node fails the network can no longer function.
Answer: True
ASK: Which topology offers the advantage that all computers have equal access to the rest of
the network?
Answer: Ring
Extension
Have members of the technology department come speak with the students to share how
important proper network design is in the school organization. Before employees of the
technology department comes to visit the class, have the students create a series of interview
questions.
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Network Design Rubric
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III)
Part
Exemplary 3
Satisfactory 2
Proof of
Design
A electronic
design was
created
A budget with
detail items
provided with
prices that
included
computers,
hubs, routers,
cables.
A paperbased design
was created
A budget with
items
provided with
no price
listing that
included
computers,
hubs, routers,
cables.
Cabling/
Five or more
Connectors cabling/
connectors
can be
identified in
the design
Standards A report
listing four
international
standards for
students
and/or
administrators
in schools.
Wireless
Two wireless
Network
networks
were
mentioned in
detail.
Two to Four
cabling/
connectors
can be
identified in
the design
A report
listing two
international
standards for
students
and/or
administrators
in schools.
One wireless
networks
were
mentioned in
detail.
Budget
Unsatisfactory
1
No design was
created
Rating Weight Score
No budget, no
price just a list
of items.
3
Less than two
cabling/
connectors can
be identified in
the design
3
A report listing
one
international
standard for
students and/or
administrators
in schools.
3
No wireless
network were
mentioned
3
5
Total Points Earned
Total Points Possible
Percentage
6
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