Once the BB course for this class is available, students must complete the "mandatory" orientation (found under "Course Orientation" module in BB) within the first week of class (8/26/2024-8/31/2024) to be counted as "Attending"

Course Description: Instruction in networking technologies and their implementation. Topics include the OSI reference model, network protocols, transmission media, and networking hardware and software.

Pre-requisite: COSC 1301 (or corequisite) or instructional program approval

Credit Hours: 3

Class Rationale: This course is designed as an introductory course to instruct the student in the essential concepts of Network Management as it applies to infrastructure, addressing, protocols, cabling, wireless, architecture, segmentation, wide area networks, risk management, security design, performance, and recovery. This course includes a comprehensive introduction to the skills required to build, maintain, update, troubleshoot, and manage an existing network.

Instructional Methodology: This is a Distance Learning course which will be taught via the Internet. Students will use the Blackboard Learning Management System  -  an online Course Management System (acconline.austincc.edu). The course material will be covered in reading assignments from the textbook supplemented by some online materials. Course announcements, schedule, textbook, assignments, instructional materials, exams, grades, and collaboration will be administered through Blackboard.

Please review all information under Course/Class Policies provided in this syllabus to get a better understanding of class dynamics.

For students new to distance education, please review the ACC Distance Education General Information available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

    1. Explain key network concepts.
    2. Determine correct placement and configuration of network devices within the network infrastructure.
    3. Analyze network performance and network availability.
    4. Implement end-to-end network security using security policies and best practices.
    5. Evaluate network service issues by utilizing appropriate diagnostic tools.

Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS): In 1989, the U.S. Department of Labor education jointly surveyed U.S. employers to find out the most important skills and competencies needed by workers. The results of that survey identified SCANS (Secretaries Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills). These are skills that employers need the most from their workers. SCANS skills are the predictors of success in workplace. The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this course. For expanded definitions of the listed SCANS, please go to: www.academicinnovations.com/report.html

Approved Textbook

Title:  Network+ Guide to Networks, 9th Edition
Authors: Jill West
Publisher: Cengage

Note: You will access the eBook from Cengage on the first day of class.
Instructions will be emailed to each student on the first day of class.

Grades will be based on the evaluation of concepts and their practical application. Assignments, graded discussions, labs, and exams will be part of this class grade. An overall grade will be assigned based on the following:

Students are required to participate in the assigned/graded discussions. Students are expected to submit insightful commentary on the topic. Students will observe proper netiquette in their postings. (Inappropriate postings will be deleted.) Discussions are due at 11:59 p.m. Saturday night on their corresponding due date. (See the course schedule.) Discussions are typically graded within one week after submission.

Students are required to complete and submit five labs. Instructions for each lab are posted in Blackboard. Students will use their personal computers to complete the labs. Labs must be submitted via Blackboard. Instructor will not accept emailed submissions. Labs are due at 11:59 p.m. Saturday night on their corresponding due date. (See the course schedule.) Lab assignments are typically graded within one week after submission.

Students are required to pass four objective exams. Each exam contains multiple choice, multiple answer, true/false, and fill-in-the blank questions. Exams must be taken by the dates listed on the posted class schedule. Exams may be taken early (prior to the posted schedule date). Exams cannot be taken past the due date. There are no makeup exams.

Students are required to take the Practice Tests multiple times in preparation for the Competency Exams. The Practice Tests contain multiple choice, multiple answer, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions. Students are allowed to take the Practice Tests unlimited times. The Practice Tests allow students to self-assess  their knowledge prior to the exam.

Student grades are recorded on Blackboard and may be accessed via the My Grades link.

There are NO extra credit assignments given in this course.

Course Orientation

The Course Orientation Module is mandatory. You must complete the requirements listed in the mandatory Course Orientation module on Blackboard. Course orientation must be completed during the first week of class.

Communication Policy

Students should ONLY use their ACC email student account (email ending in g.austincc.edu) or ACC online Blackboard email system when communicating with instructor.

Course material, announcements, changes to course schedule/assignments and grades will be posted on Blackboard. Students are expected to check both Blackboard and their ACC email accounts on a regular basis (at least twice a week). Student emails from non-ACC accounts will not be acknowledged.

Under normal operating conditions, ACC students can expect the instructor to view and respond to email messages within 24 to 48 hours, Monday through Thursday.

Attendance/Class Participation

Students who do not complete the mandatory Course Orientation Module on Blackboard during the first week of class (8/26/24 - 8/31/24) will be withdrawn from the class, reported as “Never attended” and will be ineligible for financial aid.

Students are expected to regularly monitor their ACC email and the class Blackboard site to keep up with the course schedule.

Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is Thursday, November 21st. The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Incomplete

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.

2. The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.

3. The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.

4. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester. Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

Communication

Students should ONLY use their ACC email student account (email ending in g.austincc.edu)  or ACC online Blackboard email system when communicating with the instructor.

All course material including announcements, assignments and student grades will be posted on Blackboard. Students are expected to check both Blackboard and their ACC email accounts on a regular basis (at least twice a week). Student emails from non-ACC accounts will not be acknowledged.

Class Progress

In this course, students are allowed to work at an accelerated pace. The lab assignments can be turned in earlier than the due dates listed in the schedule but not later than scheduled. The competency exams can be taken prior to the due dates listed in the schedule but not later then scheduled.

Students are expected to keep up with the class schedule and demonstrate progress as they engage in each of the weekly assignments outlined for this course. Each new concept builds on previous concepts and regular progress through the material is crucial to success on exams and assignments.

Assignments

Students are expected to complete all lab assignments to gain experience and practice with the concepts and techniques covered in the course.

Practice tests are available for each competency module. Students are required to take each competency practice test approximately 6 to 8 times per week to prepare for the Competency Exam.

An adequate amount of time needs to be set aside to complete the lab assignments and the practice tests so as not to get behind. You will need at least 5 hours per competency per week.

Competency Assessments

This course contains four assessments. Each assessment will cover material from the textbook chapters assigned in each Competency Module.

All assessments will be administered via Blackboard. Each assessment due date (last day the exam can be taken) is posted in the Course Schedule. Grades will be posted in My Grades on Blackboard once the student completes the assessment.

Statement on Academic Integrity

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.  Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements, and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.  Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. As members of the community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for according the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment. Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently with the values of the college, and obey local, state and federal laws. www.austincc.edu/srr

As a student of Austin Community College you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct. https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-standards-of-conduct


Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them.

If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus: (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online: https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling

While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options: Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964; compliance@austincc.edu .

If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures


Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student. Grades are recorded in Blackboard and may be accessed via the My Grades link (menu on the left).

Student Files Privacy

If you wish to use the Computer Studies labs* to complete your lab projects, you will need to be assigned a separate login for those labs (see the lab staff on the campus you wish to use for more information). The instructor for educational and academic reasons may view the information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs. Instructors have read-only access to the students’ files.

* Or visit this link for Computer Studies labs
http://sites.austincc.edu/cs/student-resources/csit-lab-schedule/
 

Recording Policy
 

To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification of other students enrolled in the class section.  Exceptions are made for approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through Webex, Blackboard Collaborate or another platform.  Participation in such activities implies consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity.  Such recordings are intended for educational and academic purposes only.

Safety Statement

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an illness outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

Campus Carry

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.  In addition, concealed weapons are not allowed on ACC-sponsored field trips where the school owns or has chartered or leased vehicles for transportation.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.   Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://austincc.edu/campuscarry

Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

College Faculty are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students.

Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o55xINAWNvTYgI-fs-JbDyuaMFDNvAjz/view

Use of ACC Email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify students of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at:  http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers

Student Support Services

The success of our students is paramount and ACC offers a variety of support services to help as well as provide numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.

Student Support  
                               
ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at http://www.austincc.edu/students.

Student Accessibility Services

Students with documented disabilities who need classroom, academic, or other accommodations must request them through the office Student Accessibility Services (SAS).   SAS offices are located at each major campus.  Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester; otherwise, the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the document titled “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Accommodations will not be provided retroactively.  Arrangements by the instructor for academic accommodations can only be made after he or she receives the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from the student.

Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at https://www.austincc.edu/offices/student-accessibility-services-and-assistive-technology

Academic Support

ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include face-to-face and online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis. Tutoring schedules can be found at:  https://www.austincc.edu/students/tutoring/tutoring-schedules

Library Services

ACC has a full-service library at each of its campuses to support ACC courses and programs and to provide students with research and assignment assistance from expert faculty librarians, computers, course reserves, laptop and tablet check out, study spaces, and copying, printing, and scanning services.  In addition, ACC students have full rights and privileges to access Library Services online 24/7 via the ACC Library website and students can use their ACCeID logins to access all online materials, including ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos. ACC Libraries also provide an “Ask a Librarian” service, which allows students to reach a librarian 24/7 through online chat.  Faculty librarians are also available via email, phone, and in person seven days a week during hours of operation. Visit:

• Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu
• Ask a Librarian: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php
• Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/
•  Email: library@austincc.edu

In partnership with ACC’s Student Support Center, ACC Libraries also maintain a limited collection of textbooks for students to borrow. Priority access to the textbook collection is given to students receiving assistance. More information is available on the ACC website by searching “Student Support Center Textbook Collection.”

Student Organizations

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/.

Personal Support

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include:

• Food pantries are located in all campus Student Life offices: https://sites.austincc.edu/sl/programs/foodpantry/.
• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center: http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.
• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes: http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.
• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.
• Drop-in child care is available at Highland Campus: http://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care/child-watch-drop-in-center

Clinical Counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling.

If an emergency occurs during operational hours, please come to the Student Services Office and let the front intake staff know that you are experiencing a crisis. They will alert appropriate personnel. You may also contact the ACC District Police at 222 (on campus) or 223-7999 (off campus or cell phone).

After Hours:
If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However, if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers

• Austin / Travis County 24 Hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• The Williamson County 24 Hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

• Introduction to Networking
• Network Infrastructure
• Network Addressing
• Network Protocols
• Network Cabling
• Network Wireless
• Network Architecture
• Network Segmentation
• Network WANs
• Network Risk Management
• Network Security
• Network Performance
• Network Recovery