IT 341
Spring 2015
Syllabus
The Department of Applied Information Technology The Volgenau School of Engineering
George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax. VA 22030-4444
IT 341 Data Communications and Networking Principles
Spring 2015
Syllabus
Revised 1/27/2015
Section 003:
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Email:
Khondkar R. Islam
Room 5343, Nguyen Engineering Building (Fairfax campus);
Room 101, Bull Run Hall (PW campus)
By appointment
703-993-8557 (office) and 703-785-5599 (mobile)
kislam2@gmu.edu
GTA:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Email:
Panneer Selvam Santhalingam
ENGR 5503
Friday: 4:00-6:00 PM
703-349-9651
psanthal@gmu.edu
Office:
Exams:
Midterm: Wednesday March 4, 2015 from 7:30-9:30 PM in BRH 260
Final:
Wednesday May 6, 2015 from 7:30-9:30 PM in BRH 260
Prerequisite:
IT101, IT108 or IT106, IT212, Math108 or permission of the instructor
Lecture Textbooks:
Mark A. Dye, Rick McDonald; Network Fundamentals, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide, Cisco
Press, ISBN 13: 978-1-58713-348-0
Rick Graziana, Allan Johnson.; Routing Protocols and Concepts, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide,
Cisco Press, ISBN 13: 978-1-58713-272-8
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IT 341
Spring 2015
Syllabus
Lab Textbooks:
Altoon Rufi, Pricilla Oppenheimer, Belle Woodard, Gerlinde Brady, Network Fundamentals, CCNA
Exploration Labs and Study Guide, Cisco Press, ISBN 13: 978-1-58713-203-2
Allen Johnson; Routing Protocols and Concepts, CCNA Exploration Labs and Study Guide, Cisco Press,
ISBN 13: 978-1-58713-204-9
Instruction for Purchasing at a Discount Rate:
Can be obtained from www.ciscopress.com
Here are the instructions: Follow these 4 steps once then after that just login to ciscopress.com to get this
discount from now onward.
To take advantage of the special offer, simply apply your school’s Sales Rep membership code and
follow the steps below:
**The membership code for the AIT department at GMU is: *EDU-1FB*
Go to http://www.ciscopress.com/ph
Registration required via this unique URL
1. Click Register or Log In
2. Enter your e-mail address on the Login or Become a Member page
3. Choose "Apply Membership Code" on the My Account page and enter your code (again that is
EDU-1FB for this department at GMU)
Then just log in as a Member each time you visit ciscopress.com to automatically receive your special
pricing and save on every purchase.
Slides:
Class lectures
Course Materials at:
https://mymasonportal.gmu.edu
Description:
This course focuses on the primary aspects of data communications networking, including a study of the
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) and Internet models. Students will start at Layer 1 with the study of
various Layer 1 interface and cabling configurations. They will construct and test various cables with
connectors. Moving up the OSI layers, students will focus on IP network addressing, network design, and
enhanced hands-on router and port configurations. They will also learn security protocols and do static
routing, RIPv2, and OSPF configurations. Concentration on layers 4 through 7 include studying TCP,
UDP, data reliability, and error correction methods, on the ladder to the FTP, HTTP, SMTP, DNS, and
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IT 341
Spring 2015
Syllabus
TFTP protocols of Layer 7. Half of this course entails lab work where students design networks,
configure routers, engages in implementation and testing of networking devices.
Grading:
Homework Online Fundamentals Exams Lab Work Skills Exam Midterm Exam Final Exam -
20%
10%
35%
5%
15%
15%
Grades will be awarded in accordance with the GMU Grading System for undergraduate students.
For details, refer to http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/apolicies/
Grading Scale:
97 – 100% à A+
93 – 96% à A
90 – 92% à A87 – 89% à B+
83 – 86% à B
80 – 82% à B76 – 79% à C+
70 – 75% à C
60 – 69% à D
0 – 59% à F
Raw scores may be adjusted by the Instructor to calculate final grades.
Homework Assignments, Lab Sessions & NetAcad Fundamentals Final Exam:
Homework assignments and lab sessions are in Blackboard, and online Fundamentals final exam is at the
Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) website. Each homework assignment and lab session will be
released for viewing 7 days prior to the due date. Late homework assignment and lab session, and missed
NetAcad final exam will not be accepted – if accepted, a penalty will be applied. Acceptance of late
homework assignment and lab session, and retake of missed online Fundamentals exam will be at the sole
discretion of the Instructor.
Midterm Exam:
The midterm exam will be conducted on March 4th and will cover material discussed up to Session 6. The
midterm exam will be “closed book”– no reference materials will be permitted.
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IT 341
Spring 2015
Syllabus
Final Exam:
The final exam will be held on May 6th and will cover material discussed primarily during session 7 thru
15. The final exam will be “closed book”– no reference materials will be permitted. Final exams are
retained by the AIT Department and are not returned to students.
Schedule (Subject to Change):
Session
1
Week of
January 18
2
Week of
January 25
3
Week of
February 1
4
Week of
February 8
Content
Chapters 1 and 2 (Network
Fundamentals, CCNA Exploration
Companion Guide)
Reading, Assignments & Labs
Released on: January 18, 2015
• IP address exercise 1 Released
Chapter 6 (Network Fundamentals,
CCNA Exploration Companion Guide)
• Addressing the Network IPv4
Chapter 6 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• VLSM and CIDR
• VLSM Exercise Demo
Chapter 3 (Network Fundamentals,
CCNA Exploration Companion Guide)
• Applications Layer
Functionality and Protocols
Chapter 1 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• Routers
Chapter 5 (Network Fundamentals,
CCNA Exploration Companion Guide)
• OSI Network Layer
Chapter 2 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• Static Routing
Chapter 8 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• Routing Table
4
•
No Lab Session
Due: February 1, 2015
•
IP address exercise 1 Due
Released on: January 25, 2015
• IP address exercise 2 Released
Due: February 8, 2015
•
IP address exercise 2 Due
Released on: February 1, 2015
• Lab Session 1 Released
Due: February 15, 2015
•
Lab Session 1 Due
Released on: February 8, 2015
• VLSM Exercise Released
• Home Assignment 1 Released
• Lab Session 2 Released
IT 341
5
Week of
February 15
6
Week of
February 22
Spring 2015
Chapter 3 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• Dynamic Routing Protocols
Due: February 22, 2015
•
•
Home Assignment 1 Due
Lab Session 2 Due
Released on: February 15, 2015
• Lab Session 3 Released
Chapter 4 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• Distance Vector Routing
Protocols
Chapter 5 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• RIP Version 1
Due: March 1, 2015
•
•
Chapter 4 (Network Fundamentals,
CCNA Exploration Companion Guide)
•
Syllabus
VLSM Exercise Due
Lab Session 3 Due
Released on: February 22, 2015
• Lab Session 4 Released
OSI Transport Layer
Midterm Exam Review Sheet posted in
Blackboard
7
Week of
March 1
Week Of
March 8
8
Week of
March 15
Midterm Exam on March 4 from
7:30-9:30 PM
in BRH 260
Chapter 7 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• RIP Version 2
Due: March 8, 2015
•
Lab Session 4 Due
Released on: March 1, 2015
• Lab Session 5 Released
March 9 - March 15
Spring Break
Due: March 22, 2015
Chapter 10 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• Link State Protocols
•
Lab Session 5 Due
Chapter 11 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide)
• OSPF
9
Week of
March 22
Released on: March 28, 2015
• Home Assignment 2 Released
• Lab Session 6 Released
Chapter 11 (Routing Protocols and
Concepts Exploration Companion
Guide) - (Continued)
• OSPF
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IT 341
Spring 2015
10
Week of
Chapter 7 (Network Fundamentals,
CCNA Exploration Companion Guide)
• OSI Data Link Layer
March 29
Syllabus
Due: April 5, 2015
•
Lab Session 6 Due
Released on: March 29, 2015
• Lab Session 7 Released
11
Week of
April 5
12
Week of
April 12
13
Week of
April 19
Chapter 9 (Network Fundamentals,
CCNA Exploration Companion Guide)
• Ethernet
Chapter 8 (Network Fundamentals,
CCNA Exploration Companion Guide)
• OSI Physical Layer
Chapter 10 (Network Fundamentals,
CCNA Exploration Companion Guide)
Planning and Cable Networks
Due: April 12, 2015
•
•
Released on: April 5, 2015
• Lab Session 8 Released
Due: April 19, 2015
• Lab Session 8 Due
Released on: April 12, 2015
• Home Assignment 3 Released
• Lab Session 9 Released
Due: April 26, 2015
•
•
14
Week of
April 26
Final Exam Review Sheet posted
in Blackboard
Home Assignment 2 Due
Lab Session 7 Due
Home Assignment 3 Due
Lab Session 9 Due
Lab Session 10 Due
Released on: April 19, 2015
• Lab Session 10 Released
Released on: April 26, 2015
• Skills Exam Released
• No Lab or Home Assignment Due
• Fundamentals Final Exam at Cisco
Networking Academy website
15
Week of
May 3
May 8, 2015
Due: May 3, 2015
Reading Day May 5
Skills Exam Due – online submission in
Blackboard by 11:59 pm
Final Exam on May 6 from
7:30 - 9:30 PM in BRH 260
The reading assignment shown for each lecture is to be completed prior to that lecture.
This schedule is subject to revision before and throughout the course.
Registered students should see the Blackboard Learning System for the latest class schedule.
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IT 341
Spring 2015
Syllabus
Important Dates
Last day to add classes:
Last day to drop with 50% tuition penalty:
Last day of classes:
Refer to the link below
Refer to the link below
Refer to the link below
http://registrar.gmu.edu/calendars/spring-2015/
Religious Holidays
A list of religious holidays is available on the University Life Calendar page. Any student whose
religious observance conflicts with a scheduled course activity must contact the Instructor
at least 1 week in advance of the conflict date in order to make alternative arrangements.
Attendance Policy
Departmental policy requires students to take exams at the scheduled time and place, unless there
are truly compelling circumstances supported by appropriate documentation. Except in such
circumstances, failure to attend a scheduled exam will result in a score of zero (0) for that exam,
in accordance with Mason policy on final exams. Students should not make travel plans or other
discretionary arrangements that conflict with scheduled classes and/or exams. If the University
is closed due to weather or other unforeseen conditions, final exams may be rescheduled –
students are strongly advised not to make plans that would prevent them from attending exams
that may be rescheduled during the entire exam period.
Communications
Registered students will be given access to a section of the Blackboard Learning System for this
course. Blackboard will used as the primary mechanism to disseminate course information,
including announcements, lecture slides, homework and other assignments, and scores for
homework and exams.
Communication with the Instructor on issues relating to the individual student should be
conducted using GMU email, via telephone, or in person - not in the public forums on
Blackboard. GMU email is the preferred method – for urgent messages, you should also attempt
to contact the Instructor via telephone. Federal privacy law and GMU policy require that any
communication with a student related in any way to a student's status be conducted using secure
GMU systems – if you use email to communicate with the Instructor you MUST send messages
from your GMU email account.
Lecture slides are complements to the lecture process, not substitutes for it - access to
lecture slides will be provided in Blackboard.
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IT 341
Spring 2015
Syllabus
All course materials (lecture slides, assignment specifications, etc.) are published on Blackboard.
This allows users of most computing platforms to view and print these files. Microsoft® Word
(or a compatible word processing application) is required for preparing assignments – it is
available on computers in the Mason open labs.
Privacy
Instructors respect and protect the privacy of information related to individual students above,
issues relating to an individual student will discussed via email, telephone or in person.
Instructors will not discuss issues relating to an individual student with other students (or anyone
without a need to know) without prior permission of the student.
Assessable work other than final exams will be returned to individual students directly by the
Instructor (or by a faculty or staff member or a Teaching Assistant designated by the Instructor
or via another secure method). Under no circumstances will a student's graded work be returned
to another student.
Faculty and staff will take care to protect the privacy of each student's scores and grades.
Disability Accommodations
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) works with disabled students to arrange for appropriate
accommodations to ensure equal access to university services. Any student with a disability of
any kind is strongly encouraged to register with ODS as soon as possible and take advantage of
the services offered.
Accommodations for disabled students must be made in advance – ODS cannot assist students
retroactively, and at least one week's notice is required for special accommodations related to
exams. Any student who needs accommodation should contact the Instructor during the first
week of the semester so the sufficient time is allowed to make arrangements.
Honor Code
All members of the Mason community are expected to uphold the principles of scholarly ethics.
Similarly, graduating students are bound by the ethical requirements of the professional
communities they join. The ethics requirements for some of the communities relevant to
Applied IT graduates are available via the following links:
ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
IEEE Code of Ethics
EC-Council Code of Ethics
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IT 341
Spring 2015
Syllabus
On admission to Mason, students agree to comply with the requirements of the
GMU Honor System and Code1. The Honor Code will be strictly enforced in this course. Honor
Code cases are heard by a panel consisting of students – students who meet the requirements are
encouraged to nominate themselves to serve on the Honor Committee.
Any use of the words or ideas of another person(s), without explicit attribution that clearly
identifies the material used and its source in an appropriate manner, is plagiarism and will not
be tolerated. The Instructor reserves the right to use manual and/or automated means (including
such services as Turnitin.com) to detect plagiarism in any work submitted by students for this
course, and to direct Teaching Assistants and/or other faculty and/or staff members to do
likewise in support of this course.
For this course, the following requirements are specified:
All assessable work is to be prepared by the individual student, unless the Instructor explicitly
directs otherwise.
All work must be newly created by the individual student for this course for this semester.
Any usage of work developed for another course, or for this course in a prior semester, is strictly
prohibited without prior approval from the instructor.
Students may seek assistance with assigned work (and are encouraged to do so if they feel the
need), provided:
1
§
The directions for the assigned work do not prohibit such assistance.
§
Such assistance is acknowledged in the submitted work, clearly identifying the person(s)
giving assistance and the nature of the assistance given.
§
Any work to be submitted is prepared entirely and exclusively by the student submitting
it. Students are expressly prohibited from sharing any assessable work for this course in
any manner with other students (except students assigned as Teaching Assistants or
Undergraduate Peer Mentors to this course and the student's section), unless all students
involved have had their work graded and returned by the Instructor, or the Instructor has
explicitly approved such sharing.
Available at www.gmu.edu/catalog/apolicies and related GMU Web pages.
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