Cuyamaca College

CCNA3 -Switching and Wireless
Cisco Networking Academy

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is the third of four courses designed to provide classroom and laboratory experience in current and emerging networking technology, and that help students prepare for certification as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). This course describes the architecture, components, and operation of LAN switching and wireless networking. It explains the principles of LAN switches, switching topologies, switching protocols, wireless LAN devices, wireless LAN topologies, and wireless security.   Students get hands-on experience analyzing, configuring, verifying, and troubleshooting wireless networking devices; switches; and switching protocols such as VLANS, VTP, STP and VLAN tagging. By the end of this course students will be able to recognize and correct common LAN switching and wireless networking issues and problems.  Each chapter walks the student through a basic procedural lab, and then presents basic configuration, implementation, and troubleshooting labs. Students will reinforce new concepts by accomplishing activities using Packet Tracer (PT) virtual networking software that allows students to model and analyze networking processes.

II. ADVISORY PREREQUISITE

Cisco Academy’s Semester I and Semester II on-line curriculum.

III. COURSE GOALS

By the end of the course each student will:

·         Master Basic Content: Practical application review of content learned during Semester 1 and Semester 2. Introduction and experience with Local Area Network (LAN) design, Switching Concepts, Switch Configuration, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANS), VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), Wireless Networking Concepts, Wireless Network Device configuration, Wireless topologies, and wireless security.

·         Master Lab Skills: Switch configuration and management techniques; network troubleshooting skills; and Wireless network implementation and configuration.

·         Master People Skills: working in teams

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

        1.             Pass the Cisco Semester III Final Exam.
        2.             Pass the Cisco Semester III Skills Based Exam
        3.             Complete hands-on labs using Cisco Networking Devices
        4.             Complete Virtual Networking Software Activities
  

iv. OBJECTIVES 

• Describe the technology and media access control method for Ethernet networks including media, cables, ports, and connectors that connect switches to other network devices and hosts.    

• Describe basic switching concepts and the operation of Cisco switches.  Configure and verify initial switch configuration tasks including remote access management.   

•  Describe enhanced switching technologies such as VLANs, VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Per VLAN Spanning Tree Protocol (PVSTP), and 802.1q.  Configure, verify, and troubleshoot VLANs, trunking on Cisco switches, interVLAN routing, VTP, and RSTP.  

• Describe how VLANs create logically separate networks on a switched networks and how routing occurs between them.  

• Interpret the output of various show and debug commands to verify the operational status of a Cisco switched network.  Analyze network status and switch operation using basic utilities such as ping, traceroute, Telnet, Secure Shell (SSH), Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), and ipconfig, as well as the show and debug commands.  

•  Manage Cisco IOS configuration files (save, edit, upgrade, and restore).  

•  Describe standards associated with wireless media, such as (IEEE WI-FI Alliance, ITU/FCC) standards.  

•  Identify and describe the purpose of the components in a small wireless network, such as Service Set Identification (SSID), Basic Service Set (BSS), and Extended Service Set (ESS)  

•  Identify basic configuration parameters on a wireless network to ensure that devices connect to the correct access points. Describe common wireless-network implementation issues such as interference and misconfiguration .

• Compare and contrast Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security features and capabilities of Open, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), and WPA-1/2 networks  

• Create wireless networks by configuring networking device settings such as: SSID, Wireless security, IP addressing, VLANs, administrator passwords, and remote management

• Maintain wireless networking devices by: Analyzing, troubleshooting, and repairing wireless network problems; Backup and restoring wireless network device configurations; and installing upgraded firmware.

V. TEXT and MATERIALS
      
   Course content for this class is available online so no textbook is required.  The recommendations below can be used by  students as an additional source for acquiring course content information.

  Recommended Text Options

Text is provided online at cisco.netacad.net

Reference Texts:   LAN Switching and Wireless, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide, Cisco Press,
      ISBN: 1587132079 / ISBN 13: 9781587132070.  Projected Publication Date: April 2008

                                           CCNA Portable Command Guide Second Edition, 387 pages, Author Scott Empson,
                                           Publisher Cisco Press; ISBN-10: 1-58720-193-6 / ISBN-13: 1-58720-193-6 Publication Date:28 July 2007

                                Cisco Network Academy Curriculum: On-line at Cuyamaca College  http://www.cuymaca.net/cisco
                                  login id:   ics-c/’your Cuyamaca login id’ and password 

     Materials:  

     Recommended:
         USB flash drive, Notebook or 3 ring binder.           

VI. Attendance

The Self-paced open entry-open exit program requires students to complete a minimum of 80 classroom hours 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.

VII. 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.

VIII. 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.

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.

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.

IX. Evaluation & Grading

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

 Quizzes will be given only after a topic has been completed. The final exams will be comprehensive and all students must pass the finals to pass the course. All students must take the on-line and skills-based final exams to complete the course.

        ·         Copying and/or printing of any test will result in your being dropped from the class. 
·         Printing of the curriculum is not allowed. 
·         You must pass the skills based final to pass the class.

Supervised Tutoring - To support your efforts to succeed in this class, I refer you to Supervised Tutoring services (CIS 198).  All Supervised Tutoring sections are FREE to you. You need only enroll to receive services—no units or grades are given.  Signing up for supervised tutoring allows you to use labs outside of your class times. 

Grades will be assigned as follows:

  X. Important Dates