CIS 122
Networking Essentials

Assignments Page


Assignment 1

Create Your Network -
Before next class, send me an e-mail from your e-mail address. In the body of your e-mail, include the following:
  • Proposed Network - Perform Exercise 1.3 (Page 41) This network will be the basis of the network that you develop in the class. You should make it a non-simplistic network (or the instructor will modify your network to make it more challenging). This could be an existing or planned network at your place of business. Complete all 3 parts in a MS Word document or Excel document and answer the "Type of Network" and "Type of Topology" questions in the Summary section. Save your document in one of the formats stated on your syllabus.

    To See An Example of this Exercise, click HERE

  • Proposed Network Media - Perform Exercise 2.3 (Page 97) Using the network you described in Exercise 1.3, continue your analysis by answering the questions in parts 1 and 2 to determine the network media best suited for your network installation. Again, use a MS Word document or Excel document. Save it in one of the formats stated on the your syllabus

    To See An Example of this Exercise, click HERE

  • Proposed Network Layout - Using the information in exercises 1.3 and 2.3 make a block diagram of your network. Show all clients, servers, printers and cables. Use the drawing function in MS Word to do this task. Remember to save the file as an .rtf file.

    To See An Example of this Exercise, click HERE


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Assignment 2

Architecture & N.O.S. -
  • Proposed Architecture - Perform Exercise 3.3 (Page 162) Using the network you described in Exercise 1.3, continue you analysis. Answer questions 1 through 20 in this exercise and determine the topology and cabling requirement for your network.
  • Proposed Network Operating System - After reading Chapter 4 Indicate which Network Operating System you plan to implement on your network. List the major NOS and give a brief explanation why you did or did/not go with each one.
  • Simple Floorplan - In assignment 1 you created a block diagram of you network. This time create a simple floor plan that goes with your block diagram. Yo do not need to go into detail on the elements of the building, a line works as a wall, etc. Your floorplan should show the placement of all the elements of your network. Cable routing should be shown, including pertinent information (Cable lengths, Plenum area, cable routing racks, etc). If you have a locked server room (I know you do, right ?) That should be shown on the map as well.

    To See An Example of this Exercise, click HERE

** If your initial network did not include a Mac or Unix segment, please add a section to this assignment describing how you would add a Mac or Unix segment to your network.

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Assignment 3

Standards & Protocols -
  • Protocol Chart - Prove to me that you understand the Protocol stack. After reading Chapters 5 and 6, create a Protocol Comparison Chart. Use the OSI Model as the basis of your comparison. Then take the popular Application, Transport and Network protocols and map them to the OSI Model according to the Network Operating System. If you copy what is on Page 241 of your book, do not be surprised if you get a "C" on the assignment. Page 241 is misleading. My lectures and the reading should give you enough information to eliminate any ambiguity. The assignments that receive the best grades will be color coded and show some ingenuity -- for example, a new memory tool for remembering the order of the protocol stack, or a cross reference to the appropriate standards documents should one want more detail on a particular layer. (This assignment should take you at least 2 hours to complete, if it did not take 2 hours, you are probably missing something).

    To See An Example of this Exercise, click HERE


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Assignment 4

Connectivity -
  • Proposed Network Connectivity - Perform exercise 7.3 (Page 324). Answer the questions in this exercise and using these question, create a table for your network like the one shown in the Exercise Summary on page 329. Turn in the table for your network.
  • Enhanced Network Layout - Using the information in exercises 7.3, enhance the block diagram of your network to include any Bridges, Routers, Gateways or Repeaters. Use the drawing function in MS Word to do this task. Remember to save the file as an .rtf file.

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Assignment 5

Shares & Security -
  • Template - Create a template for Hardware/Software/Telecommunications equipment inventory. It should contain the information you need to know for each computer. You do not need to fill the forms(s) out, just create the template(s).
  • Building a Map - After reading Chapter 8, take your enhanced Network Layout from Assignment 4 and use the "Building a Map" section on pages 346, 347 and 348 to draw the existing equipment layout and to revise your layout of your network topology (if necessary). Your revised layout should include system requirements for the computers and other devices on your network.
  • Group Accounts - After reading Chapter 9, create a document which indicates which groups (local, global, system and built-in) you will be using on your network. Give a brief description of how each will be used. **Note: The simplistic approach will not yield a good grade. Use the realistic approach. Your groups should mirror the organization who will use the network. Groups will be by department or by area of specialization or some other logic breakdown criteria. Your document should be easy for someone else to follow like your instructor or the CIO (Chief Information Officer) of the company you are creating this network for.

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Assignment 6

Security & Printing -
  • Network Security - After reading Chapter 10, develop a plan that outlines how you will be protecting your network against data loss. Keep in mind that it is not uncommon to have more than one method implemented on your network. Give the rational why you selected this method as opposed to the other methods available. **Note: Your plan should include a backup plan, with a description of how it will be performed, a security plan outlining the use of virus protection software and firewalls and the use of any RAID systems on your server.

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Assignment 7

Troubleshooting -
  • Bottlenecks - After reading Chapter 12, create a document which indicates where the potential bottlenecks are on your network. Prepare a summary plan which indicates how you will manage these potential bottlenecks (if you plan to use some software to help you tell me what it is).
  • Troubleshooting Checklist - After reading Chapter 13, create a checklist that can be used by users on your network to help you isolate a problem with your network. The checklist needs to be simple enough so a novice user can answer the questions yet specific enough to allow you to take the information and locate the problem with it.

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