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%