It's Your Education, Make an Informed Choice.

This course is an introduction to local area networks (LANs) and their uses. The topics to be covered are: interfacing, how to network, the fundamentals of data communications, LAN or local area network types, connectivity, hardware and software management and components.

LANs are small parts of a much larger networked world. For students interested in pursuing an information technology degree, it is important to understand how computer-to-computer communication takes place. This course helps students develop the skills they need in order to pursue a technical career. It is important that students have a good understanding of the OSI Model and the standards surrounding networking. This is crucial to being successful in the field; similarly, having a familiarity with industry vocabulary is also essential.

A LAN is a network of computers hooked together in a small space like an office building. A network often involves sharing e-mail and Internet services as well as the file and print systems of a business. In order to succeed in this industry, it is important for individuals to be aware and educated on the latest technological advances and to be certified in more than one area.

Networking standards are important to the computer industry, because they are used as guidelines to make networking possible. Following these standards ensures that hardware will work together and software will be compatible. One of these standards organizations, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), created the Open System Interconnection (OSI) Model. The OSI Model is a seven-layer model that divides networking architecture into specific functions. It is absolutely necessary that a programmer be familiar with OSI.

Course Objectives

• By the end of this course, students will be able to discuss concepts of LAN and its advantages and disadvantages. Upon completion, students will know how to demonstrate the ability to work with resource materials to solve related problems, and read and understand technical manuals. They will know how to use a network from the End User's Perspective and how to plan and design a basic network. Students will understand the parts of a network and network operating system as well as the network cabling and types of cabling and LAN administration versus End User Usage.