Welcome to the distance learning course:
Computer Network I (DVA108)
This document will provide information about the course.
To get started with this course you have to wait until we handled and activated your accounts in our
computer systems, the first step being your mail accounts. We will notify you when this has been
done. After that we can register you in the systems you need to access during this course. When
attending the course we will use several tools that you will have to learn and be comfortable using.
All of these will be introduced briefly in this document.
Once we have started the course the best way to get started is by getting acquainted with the tools
that are introduced in the following sections and then start asking questions, preferably at the
discussion boards at Blackboard site (explained later in this document). When you have gotten this
far you should be able to access the course material either through Blackboard or the Cisco
Networking Academy (also introduced later).
Tools
The Student portal
Here you will find information about your studies and useful web services. You can find your course
schedules, study results, e-mail, current registrations for courses and study programs etc.
https://portal.mdh.se/student/
If you only want to read your e-mail you can go directly to the mail portal (see link in the next
section).
Student Email account
When you start a course at Mälardalen University you will automatically receive a student E-mail
account here which is accessible via this link: www.outlook.com
It is important to check and read your mail continuously to not miss any announcements. One of the
first mails you receive will guide you through the registration at Cisco’s Networking Academy
(introduced later in this document).
Blackboard
The blackboard will be your and our main resource for this course and contain as much information
as we can possibly put there. It will also serve as our main communication channel, via the messaging
and discussion boards. These messages can be automatically forwarded to an E-mail address of your
choice.
https://blackboard.mdh.se/
When you are registered at the University you will be able to logon to the blackboard site and when
you are registered at the course you will gain access to this course’s page at Blackboard. You should
have received instructions on how to register.
Cisco Networking Academy
In this course you will be enrolled as a student at the Cisco Networking Academy which will provide
you with the web-based course material, chapter tests, quizzes and Final exams. You will participate
in the two first courses Cisco offer in their academy program; “Network Fundamentals” (CCNA 1) and
“Routing Protocols and Concepts” (CCNA2). Both courses will end with a Final exam that will examine
your knowledge.
http://cisco.netacad.net/
Once you have been registered at the Networking Academy you will receive an email containing your
username and a temporary password. These mails might look a bit cluttered in your mail-client but
the information should still be there. To log in you should use the dialog that is shown in the right
hand column. Clicking the “Log in”-link at the top of the page will take you to another login dialog,
which you will not be able to access.
NOTE: If you already have or have had an account at Cisco’s Networking Academy which you
obtained from Mälardalen University you have to contact us immediately.
Packet Tracer
Packet Tracer is a tool to simulate and test network topologies and will be your main method in
learning how to build networks. Within the curriculum found at the Networking Academy there will
be sections with links to lab exercises. These could either be done with real equipment (routers,
switches and computers) or they could be done in Packet Tracer. There are usually 2 sections in a
row, the first one supplying you with the Packet Tracer topologies which also contain the instructions
for the specific lab and the following section will contain a link to a lab manual for hands-on-labs.
Packet Tracer can be found either at Blackboard or Cisco Networking Academy.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about this course, Please contact us!
Joakim Wangborn
Tel. +46(0)76-3079945
joakim.wangborn@mdh.se
If you have any questions regarding your studies at Mälardalen University you can contact our
student career counsellor Malin Åshuvud, malin.ashuvud@mdh.se Phone: +46(0)21-101546 or
Annika Björklund (International students) annika.bjorklund@mdh.se Phone: +46(0)21-153276.
Questions regarding admissions and eligibility can be addressed to the Division for Student Affairs,
Office of Admission.
Address: Division for Student Affairs, Office of Admission, Box 325, 631 05 Eskilstuna, Sweden ▪
Email: antagningen@mdh.se ▪ Phone: +46 (0)16-153250
Mälardalen University
Visiting Adress: Högskoleplan 1
Webpage:
www.mdh.se
Mail address:
Box 883, 721 23 Västerås Email:
info@mdh.se
Phone:
021-10 13 00
021-10 13 20
Org.nr:
2021002916
Fax:
Computer Network I 7.5 credits
Course code: DVA108
Level of education:
First Cycle
Subject:
Area of education:
Engineering
Ratification date:
2011-09-18
Change date:
2011-12-01
Computer Science
Valid from semester: SS12
Objectives
The course provides basic theoretical and practical knowledge about how to configure computer
networks and create simple network topologies.
Learning objectives
After the course the student should be able to:
- Describe basic Ethernet technologies
- Describe the TCP / IP and OSI model.
- Configure a simple computer network according to instructions given, with focus on routing.
- Calculate and document the use of network addresses, subnets and subnet masks.
- Describe the MAC-addresses structure and significance.
- Explain the basics of routing and traffic filtering.
Course content
Network fundamentals, routing protocols and concepts. OSI- reference model, TCP/IP, IP-networks
including IP-subnets. Ethernet, LAN, WAN, network components, router configuration, routing,
routing protocols, switching, network terminology and traffic filtering.
Prerequisites
D.4.1 Mathematics course C and Civics course A from Swedish upper secondary education or
equivalent. This is a translation and an abbreviated version of the standard eligibility requirement
D.4.1.
Exemption from requirement Civics course A.
Examination
LAB1, 4 credits, Exercise, laboratory work
TEN1, 3.5 credits, Examination
Marks
3, 4 or 5.
Literature
The course includes web-based course materials which you can access via the course website.
If you want to buy literature, these two books have the same content as the web-based material:
ISBN10: 9781587133480 Network Fundamentals CCNA1
ISBN10: 9781587132728 Routing Protocols and Concepts CCNA2
The Examination
To achieve a grade in this course you will have to pass all of these tasks:

Cisco Chapter Tests in Network Fundamentals (CCNA1) and Routing Protocols and Concepts
(CCNA2).
These are mandatory and have to be accomplished before you are allowed to attempt the
Final Exams. To pass a chapter test you need to achieve a score above 50% on it.

Cisco Final Exam in Network Fundamentals (CCNA1) and Routing Protocols and Concepts
(CCNA2).
These tests will be issued within the Cisco Networking Academy and be graded with a
percentage. To pass the course requirement you must achieve a score above 60% on both
Final exams.

Skill Based Test.
This will test your skill in cabling and configuring a basic Network topology based on routers.
It will be issued through blackboard and should be handed in there also, using the “Submit
assignment” feature.

Written test.
This test will test your knowledge in networking fundamentals and router/routing-functions.
It will be issued through blackboard and should be handed in there also, using the “Submit
assignment” feature.
Important Dates
Course Start
- The 21th of January 2013
Cisco Final Exam CCNA1 and Cisco Course Feedback
- The 22th of February 2013
Cisco Final CCNA2 and Cisco Course Feedback
- The 18th of March 2013
Skill Based Test
- The 21th of March 2013
Written Test
- The 25th of March 2013
Written Test, 2nd try
- Week 24, date will be set later
Recommended Pace
It is important that you plan your studies well to minimize the stress that can arise in courses on this
level. The chart shown below is the "minimal" pace you have to maintain to get through all the
theoretical material covered in this course. You should use this template when planning your studies.
Be sure not to drop behind, because the contents of the material gets more complex in the later
chapters so you may actually have to plan more time for those chapters. If you have any questions
about this do not hesitate to contact us.
w.4
Chapters
1,2,3
CCNA1-Network Fundamentals
w.5
Chapters
4,5,6
CCNA1-Network Fundamentals
w.6
Chapters
7,8,9
CCNA1-Network Fundamentals
w.7
Chapters
10,11
CCNA1-Network Fundamentals
w.8
Chapters
1,2,3
CCNA2-Routing Protocols and Concepts (+Final Exam 1)
w.9
Chapters
4,5,6
CCNA2-Routing Protocols and Concepts
w.10
Chapters
7,8,9
CCNA2-Routing Protocols and Concepts
w.11
Chapters
10,11
CCNA2-Routing Protocols and Concepts
w.12
Final Exam 2 & Skilled Based Test
When you are reading the course material we recommend that you test your skills in the Packet
Tracer lab assignments as you go along. After you finished reading a chapter it’s recommended that
you first test your knowledge with the quiz in the material and if you got a decent result there you
should log on to Cisco Networking academy and take the test for that chapter. These tests are
mandatory.
You can take chapters tests several times for rehearsal.