UB University of Baltimore
Merrick School of Business


INSS 427 - Business Data Communications
Fall 2003

Wednesdays 5:30 - 8:00 PM - BC219

Professor Al Bento
office BC 473 v-mail 837-5272
e-mail abento@ubalt.edu URL http://home.ubalt.edu/abento

Office hours: Tuesdays 4:30 - 6:30 PM and Wednesdays 2:00 - 5:00 PM

[assignments][[mid-term exam][final exam][project][outline][Forum]

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objective of this course is to provide students with a solid understanding of fundamentals, as well as the state-of-the-art of telecommunications in business. Telecommunication technology will be reviewed and current practices discussed. Topics include distributed data processing, communication techniques, network design, management and security, LANs and PC networking. This course is focused on the TCP/IP architecture, but the OSI model is presented and discussed. Emphasis is also given to networking using Windows 2000.

When you complete this course you will have the ability to:

  1. describe the components of telecommunication systems.
  2. compare and contrast various network implementations.
  3. summarize the history and current status of the field of telecommunications.
  4. design, configure and price local area networks.
  5. configure and setup Microsoft TCP/IP in Windows 2000.
  6. manage simple networks using Windows 2000.

Each class meeting will be divided in two parts:

  1. fundamentals and applications: the basic concepts and techniques of telecommunications. From 5:30 to 6:45 PM.

  2. networking using Windows 2000: designing, installing and managing networks and internets using Windows 2000. From 6:55 to 8:00 PM.

CLASS MATERIALS

Class handouts will be available on the Web at the following address of the course syllabus:

The course syllabus will be linked to the class materials. You can see and print the class materials at the Lab and from your office or home (an Internet provider costs between $10-20 per month), using a Web browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer 4 and above required).

Note: To print properly this syllabus set top and bottom margins to 1" in your browser.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Assignments (6) 25%
Mid-term exam 25%
Project 25%
Final exam 25%

Assignments

All assignments are to be done individually. Most are to be submitted as a file in the Forum. A few (marked web) are to be posted on the Web. Assignments are due one week after they are introduced in class as shown in the outline, unless specific due dates are indicated in the assignment's page (link).

  1. Provide information about Layers and ISPs.
  2. Explain the difference between modem, cable modem, ISDN terminal adapter, and ADSL modem. Compare prices for installation and monthly use of each type of service supported by them.
  3. How much would cost to network 20 PCs using two hubs (assume they are in acceptable distance) in terms of NICs, hubs, wiring, etc (do not include software)? Do a simplified drawing or schematic representing your network. Include your answer (with specific brands of your choice) and the network image in a Web page (web).
  4. Obtain IP information from a PC running Windows 2000.
  5. Assume you received a class C IP address (221.221.221.0) and you are setting up a network with 4 subnets, each with 50 users. Please select a subnet mask, explain why you did it, and show the range of IP addresses in each subnet. Draw an image to show the network. Include your image and answers in a Web page (web).
  6. Resolving names and what's in a name? Exercises on IP and NetBIOS resolution in Windows.

Mid-term exam

An in-class, multiple-choice, open book exam on October 22, 2003, covering class materials up to October 15, 2003.

Final exam

A non-comprehensive, in-class, multiple-choice, open book exam on December 17, 2003, covering class materials from October 29 to December 10, 2003.

Project

The project is to be done in groups of two to three students. The objective is to design a local area network for a real or hypothetical organization comprised of at least four subnets, with at least 100 PCs in each, using Windows 2000 and TCP/IP. Both hardware and software design are to be done, assuming that the organization already has the PCs in stand-alone mode. It should include equipment list and prices, IP numbers assignments, domain(s), etc. Prepare a graphical representation of the network. List the materials, including brand name, quantity, prices and total cost. Explain all your design decisions. Document your project posting it on the Web and sending me the URL on December 10, 2003.

TEXTBOOK AND REFERENCES

Required:

Raymond R. Panko, Business Data Communications and Networking 4th ed, Prentice-Hall, 2002. ISBN: 0-13-035914-9

Raymond R. Panko, Student Web site for Business Data Communications, 4th ed., 2002 (on-line only)

Web references:

Basic Telecom

Windows 2000 and Networking

More to be added throughout the semester.

OUTLINE
Day 5:30 - 6:45 6:55 - 8:00 Assignment posted
09/03 Course overview Course materials, Forum, posting assignments. Introduce yourself in the Forum
09/10 Basic communications model (1) Microsoft enterprise concepts  
09/17 == no class meeting == no class meeting  
09/24 Transport and applications layer (2), [A] Introduction to Windows 2000 1. Layers and ISP
10/01 Physical layer (3), [B] Windows 2000 user manager  
10/08 10Base-T Ethernet LANs (4), [C] Windows 2000 shares and permissions 2. modems and adapters
10/15 Other Ethernet technologies Creating a Web page (not part of exams)  
10/22 Other LAN technologies(5) Windows 2000 TCP/IP 3. costing a simple network
10/29Mid-term Exam   
11/05 Switched and Wireless LANs IP routing and resolution 4. TCP/IP information
11/12 Local internets (8) NetBIOS Resolution, WINS, and DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol  
11/19 TCP/IP Internetting Telephone Service (6), [D] 5. subnet mask calculation
11/26 Thanksgiving: no classes Thanksgiving: no classes  
12/03 Telephone Service (6), [D] (continued) and Wide Area Networks (7),[E] Frame Relay, ATM and VPN and Project questions and answers 6. resolving names and what's in a name?
12/10Security and Network Security (9), [F] Final exam review Project due
12/17 Final exam    

This page is maintained by Al Bento who can be reached at abento@ubmail.ubalt.edu. Although we will attempt to keep this information accurate, we can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. This page was last updated on September 22, 2003.