Introduction to Networks - Using Linux
Professor:
NAD710 is taught by Raymond Chan (Fall 2008).
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%