Cuyamaca College

CCNA4 – Accessing the WAN
Cisco Networking Academy

Fall 2011

Curtis Sharon

Thursdays 5-10 pm E-207

Lecture Thursday 8:00 pm

Curt.sharon@cox.net

619 670 7602

Changes to this syllabus may occur anytime during the semester.  Notification of changes will be provided via Blackboard announcements

Office Hours: Thursdays 4 – 5 p.m. and by appointment

I. Course Description

 Open Entry-Open Exit

This is the fourth of four courses designed to provide classroom and laboratory experience in current and emerging networking technology and help prepare for certification as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). The primary focus of this course is on accessing wide area networks (WAN). The goal is to develop an understanding of various WAN technologies to connect small to medium-sized business networks. Topics covered during this course include: WAN converged applications; Quality of Service (QoS); WAN connectivity using Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Frame Relay protocol, and Broadband Links (Cable, DSL, VPN); WAN security concepts including types of threats, how to analyze network vulnerabilities, general methods for mitigating common security threats and types of security appliances and applications; Principles of traffic control and access control lists (ACLs); Configuring Network Address Translation (NAT) and Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP);  IPv6 addressing concepts; and using Cisco Router and Security Device Manager (SDM)  Graphical User Interface  to configure router security and implement IP addressing services; Throughout the course students learn how to detect, troubleshoot, and correct common Enterprise network implementation issues. 

 II. ADVISORY Prerequisite

Cisco Academy’s Semester I through Semester III on-line curriculum.

 III. Course OBJECTIVES

 By the end of the course each student will:

1. Describe the components required for network and Internet communications.
    
2. Describe the operation and benefits of using DHCP and DNS. Configure, verify and troubleshoot DHCP and DNS operation on a router.
    
3. Describe network security threats, the need for a comprehensive security policy to mitigate the threats, and general methods to mitigate common security threats to network devices, hosts, and applications.
    
4. Describe the functions of common security appliances, applications, and recommended practices to secure network devices.
    
5. Describe the purpose and types of ACLs. Configure and apply basic router security and ACLs to the router using (SDM/CLI).  Verify, monitor, and troubleshoot ACLs in a network environment.
    
6. Describe the basic operation of NAT. Configure NAT for given network requirements using (CLI/SDM). Troubleshoot and correct NAT using logical troubleshooting procedures and Cisco IOS show and debug commands.
    
7. Describe the concepts and methods for connecting to a WAN using PPP, Frame Relay, Cable, and DSL.
    
8. Configure, verify, troubleshoot, and repair basic WAN serial connections.
    
9. Configure, verify, troubleshoot, and repair PPP connections between Cisco routers.
    
10. Configure, verify, troubleshoot, and repair Frame Relay connections on Cisco routers.
     
11. Describe VPN technology (importance, benefits, role, impact, components).
     
12. Identify and correct common network problems at layers 1,2,3 and 7 using a layered model approach.

By the end of the course, students will demonstrate their understanding of networking by completing the following tasks:

        1.         Pass the Cisco Semester 4 Comprehensive Online final exam.

        2.         Pass the Cisco Semester 4 Comprehensive Skills Based Exam

3.         Complete the Cisco Labs for each Chapter

4.         Complete Packet Tracer Activities for each Chapter

4.              Pass the Cisco Semester 4 Online chapter exams

 IV. Texts, Materials, and Websites

Online Websites

Cisco Network Academy Website: http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html
Instructor's Website: http://www.cuyamaca.net/cis/cisco

Blackboard: http://bb.gcccd.edu/webapps/login/

Recommended Texts:

Accessing the WAN, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide;

Authors: Bob Vachon  and Rick Graziani; Hardcover: 704 pages; Publisher: Cisco Press; (May 8, 2008); ISBN: 1587132052 / ISBN 13:9781587132056. 

CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide: Exam 640-802.

Author: Todd Lammle; Paperback: 1008 pages; Publisher: Sybex; (29 August 2007); ISBN-10: 0470110082/ISBN-13: 978-0470110089.

CCNA Portable Command Guide Second Edition

Author Scott Empson; Publisher: Cisco Press; (28 July 2007); ISBN-10: 1-58720-193-6 / ISBN-13: 1-58720-193-6

Cisco IOS in a Nutshell,

Author: James Boney, Publisher O'Reilly Media Inc; (August 22, 2005)
ISBN-10: 0596008694; ISBN-13: 978-0596008697

Materials:      

Recommended, 1 Flash drive

Notebook, 3 ring binder or spiral bound notebook.

V.           ATTENDANCE

The Self-paced open-entry/open-exit program requires students to complete a minimum of 80 classroom hours. 48 hours must be obtained in the classroom or laboratory with an instructor present, in order to meet academic standards. Self-paced education places additional responsibility on the student for success. Irregular attendance and lack of participation are key factors in determining poor student performance. The greater the amount of time and effort applied by the student, the greater the opportunity for success, rapid advancement of knowledge, and advancement through the program. Students will be expected to manage their attendance with the goal of completing at least one Cisco Semester during a Cuyamaca College Semester. Higher goals of completion are very possible and will be supported. If you have questions about recommended progress rates, please ask the instructor for guidance.

DROPPING THE CLASS

It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to complete the necessary forms to withdraw from the class. All students that are enrolled at the end of the semester must be given a grade. Students who drop but don’t officially withdraw will receive an F.

VI.         ASSIGNMENTS

The assignments for this course can be broken in the following groups:

1.    In-class reading/Tests: Most of the material for this course is available online at the Cisco Network Academy website. The materials should be read before the beginning of class. Students are responsible for all the terms and concepts in the modules that we cover. Log in to your Cisco Student Account to access this material. http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html

2.    Labs: During the course, labs will be used to guide students through the practical application of concepts learned in the chapter content and provide an opportunity to learn skills for configuring Cisco routers and switches. Lab assignments will be provided in the assignments section of each chapter on Blackboard. Once a lab assignment is completed it should be submitted using Blackboard. Assignments are considered completed when the questions on the lab assignment are answered and a copy of the configuration has been submitted. 

Packet Tracer activities are not considered a replacement for a lab activity.  If an assignment is listed as a lab activity, using Packet Tracer or similar network simulator is not allowed for grade for lab activities.  Students may, however, practice their labs with packet tracer or similar network simulators. 

Important Note: Students in the classroom have 1st priority for access to the network equipment. Equipment wired for home use will have cabling disconnected 1 hour prior to the beginning of class the next class day. When finished with a Lab assignment, delete router/switch configurations; disconnect equipment cabling and power off the equipment prior to leaving lab.

3.     Packet Tracker Activities: Throughout the course Packet Tracer Network Simulation software activities will provide students with experience designing, configuring, testing, and troubleshooting virtual switched and wireless network topologies. Students can send simulated network traffic across the virtual network topologies, track the traffic as it moves through each device, and view the traffic similar to the view a packet sniffer provides.

Packet Tracer assignments will be provided in the assignments section of each chapter on Blackboard. Once a Packet Tracer assignment is completed it should be submitted using Blackboard.

Packet Tracer activities are not considered a replacement for a lab activity.  If an assignment is listed as a lab activity, using Packet Tracer or similar network simulator is not allowed for grade for lab activities.  Students may, however, practice their labs with packet tracer or similar network simulators. 

4.    Study Guides: During the course, ungraded study guides will be provided to assist students with identifying key information in the reading assignment.  These study guides are not graded but are highly recommended. The study guides will be useful for studying for chapter exams, the comprehensive final, and CCNA Certification exams.
Note: Handwritten study material, including the study guide, will be allowed as reference material during chapter exams.  The online Comprehensive  Final exam must be taken in the classroom with no notes or reference material available.

5.    Journal Entry: The journal is a private communication between the student and the instructor. The journal is how you inform the instructor of extended absences. It can also be used to ask the instructor questions or request assistance. The journal can be used to provide feedback to the instructor about the course.

VII.       EVALUATION AND GRADING

Evaluation in this course is designed to give students a maximum feedback of their progress and to work as a tool to reinforce concepts.

Orientation Exam

An orientation exam has been activated for all students on Blackboard.  Whereas this exam is not averaged into the student’s final grade, it is a required component for the course.  It must be successfully completed with a score of 100% before any exams will be activated or any assignments graded. The Orientation Exam must be completed with a score of 100% by 10:00 pm, Thursday, August 25, 2011. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the student being dropped from the course!

Online Study Guides

There are ten online quizzes provided by the Cisco Networking Academy.  These are being treated as study guides.  Students may work through each study guide up to five times each.  The last score uploaded on the Cisco website will be the one the instructor uses to calculate your grade. The instructor will neither look for your best score nor average the results of your attempts.  The last grade reported will be the grade of record for that study guide.

Practice Final Exams

Both a practice skills based final and a practice comprehensive online final are provided at the Cisco Networking Academy Website.  Students may take each of these up to three times each. The last score uploaded on the Cisco website will be the one the instructor uses to calculate your grade. The instructor will neither look for your best score nor average the results of your attempts.  The last grade reported will be the grade of record for that practice exam.

Final Exams

The Comprehensive Final Skills-based Exam is a practical exam covering the skills learned during the course and may include skills covered as part of the prerequisites for taking this course. The exam is taken in the classroom using installed routers, switches, computers and other equipment provided by the instructor. Students may use material designed as a professional reference material to assist them during the skills exam. Examples of authorized references are: "CCNA Portable Command Guide"; "Cisco IOS in a nutshell". Neither textbooks nor the Internet are considered authorized reference material.  It is the discretion of the instructor of record for the course to determine whether a specific reference item will be authorized for use during the Comprehensive Final Skills-based Exam.  The Comprehensive skills exam must be passed with a 60% in order to pass the course, regardless of previous performance.

The Comprehensive Online Final Exam is a multiple-choice exam that covers the entire semester of course material. The Comprehensive Final Exam is taken in the classroom on one of the school's computers without access to any reference material. Students will be allowed blank paper and a pen The Comprehensive Online Final must be passed with a 60% in order to pass the course, regardless of previous performance.

The student must obtain a passing score on both the Comprehensive Skills and Online Final Exams (both Skills Based final, and Online Comprehensive finals require 60% or above for passing) to pass the course. The online and skills-based final exams must be taken by the student to complete the course. All exams must be taken in the classroom. Students must have a passing score on both the Skills-based Final Exam and Online Comprehensive Final Exam in order to pass the class regardless of cumulative grade total.

Copying and/or printing of any test will result in your being dropped from the class.

Printing of the curriculum is not allowed.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

 IX.  STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

The Cisco instructors want to see our students succeed. We have used our experience teaching the OEOE classes to write the following rules to benefit the success of our students.

1. Students are responsible for managing their progress through the course. 
To ensure successful completion of the course, please follow the rules listed below concerning submitting assignments and taking chapter exams. 

Note: Arrangements can be made to deviate from the rules by submitting a written request with justification and getting written approval by the course instructor.

2. You should regularly review the assignment schedule and recommended progress schedule to be sure you do not fall behind during the semester.  We have noticed that students who fall further than 1(one) chapter behind the recommended pace have unnecessary stress completing the course.  If you find yourself falling behind the recommended pace please contact your instructor for assistance and/or guidance.

3. Only 5 total lab/packet tracer assignments will be graded by the instructor each week.

Students who have submitted a written notification of accelerated completion at the beginning of the semester will be provided, in writing, the maximum number of assignments that will be accepted each week for grading.

Note: Managing assignment completion is especially critical at the end of the semester. Mismanagement could cause completed assignments not to get graded. 
Students progressing at an accelerated pace will be provided an accelerated assignment schedule.
Submit assignments early and often.

4. Courses with study guides:  Up to 2 (two) study guides will be graded for each student per week

5. All Assignments must be submitted no later than the end of week 15 of the semester.
No assignments will be accepted after week 15. 

Note: no more than 5 assignments that are submitted during week 15 will be graded.

6. Only 1 chapter exam will be activated for each student per week. 
You are allowed to take each chapter exam once. Chapter exams will be activated a maximum of 2 times.  Make sure when you request that an exam be activated you will be able to complete the exam during the period requested.

Students who plan to progress through the curriculum at an accelerated pace will be informed, in writing, the maximum number of exams that will be allowed to be activated each week. 

Note: Students progressing at an accelerated pace will be provided an accelerated assignment schedule.

7. Students are responsible to ensure all chapter exams are completed by the end of week 15. Note: remember, only one chapter exam will be activated each week including week 15.

X.  Important Dates

Changes to this syllabus may occur anytime during the semester.  Notification of changes will be provided via Blackboard announcements

Appendix I – Assignment List

Appendix II – Recommended Schedule

These are best practice guidelines to facilitate a relatively stress-free successful completion.

Fall 2011 - CIS 204 Schedule

(Recommended Practice for Successful Completion of the Semester)