NAD710

Introduction to Networks - Using Linux

Weekly Outline

See the Fall 2008 NAD710 Weekly Schedule for specific dates and topics.

Subject Description

This subject is an introduction to TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) as it is implemented, configured and used in a Linux environment. Students will learn fundamental TCP/IP principles and basic Linux network configurations.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Describe basic TCP/IP Networks using the layered network model
• Discuss IPv6 and the future of IP
• Configure a TCP/IP network
• Understand the difference between hubs, routers and switches
• Install and Configure SAMBA
• Setup a Nameserver using BIND
• Use basic Linux networking commands
• Understand routing and routing protocols
• Understand the 802 protocols and their relationship to networking
• Configure an NFS server

Topic Outline

Overview of TCP/IP - 10%

• TCP/IP Layer Model (OSI and DOD)
• UDP and TCP protocols
• Network addresses and subnet masks
• Using subnets to further divide a network
• Reducing network traffic by using switches or routers

Installing networking hardware - 10%

• The network interface card (NIC)
• The difference between ethernet, FDDI, and token ring NIC
• Network drivers and loadable kernel modules

Basic TCP/IP Networking - 20%

• Using ifconfig, route, netstat, ping, traceroute, nslookup, dig, and ip to troubleshoot networks
• Using a network protocol analyzer (wireshark) to diagnose problems
• Using a port scanner (nmap) to find open ports on your machine
• Using a network monitor to visually check on its status

Configuring a TCP/IP network - 15%

• Assigning IP addresses
• Connnecting the machines
• Network configuration
• Testing/Debugging the network
• Securing the network
• Setting static and dynamic route

Setting up a Nameserver - 10%

• Introduction to BIND
• Internet Domain Namespace
• Name servers and resolves
• Forward and reverse lookup zones
• Setup, configure and maintain an authoritative name server for a registered domain

Connecting Windows to Linux - 20%

• Windows and Server Message Block (SMB) Protocol
• Setup a SAMBA server
• Network File System (NFS), its strengths and weaknesses
• NFS server configuration - the exports file

Security of Network Applications - 10%

• POP3, FTP and telnet - why they are not secure
• APOP, SSH and SSL - why they are more secure
• Exploiting the weakness of TCP and Wireless

IPv6 and the future of Networking - 5%

• IPv6 Header
• IPv6 Address
• Extension Headers
• Transition to IPv6

Modes of Instruction

2 hours of interactive lecture per week and 2 hours lab time per week

Prescribed Text

None specific to this course but our Seneca library has access to many on-line texts

Reference Material

Web links given out during course

Supplies

Having your own laptop and/or desktop PC will help. M ost likely at least a 4GB usb key will also be useful

Promotion Policy

To obtain a credit in this subject, a student must

• Achieve a grade of 55% or better on the final exam
• Satisfactorily complete all assignments
• Achieve a weighted average of 55% or better for the tests and final exam
• Achieve a grade of 55% or better on the overall course

Modes of Evaluation

• 1 final exam worth 40%
• 1 midterm test worth 30%
• 10 labs worth 10%
• 1 major project worth 20%
  • pre-report worth 5%
  • in-report worth 5%
  • post-report worth 10%

Resources

• 2008 Fall Instructor Web Page
• Freenode IRC network
• Course Web Page