This course explores the basic components and design principles of advanced broadband networks (wireline and wireless) and how they enable essential services such as mobility, secure data storage, processing, and transmission. This course will also introduce the student to emerging issues facing organizations considering implementing cloud computing services and mobility to enable worker productivity. Students will also be exposed to the basic pillars of network security (IA) and protecting individual privacy.

 Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Identify and describe the components of a broadband network
2. Explain network design standards
3. Examine storage technologies, virtualization, and grid computing (building blocks to cloud-based services)
4. Identify and compare wireless technologies for personal and commercial networks
5. Analyze network security concepts

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Network Security

Week 2: Unit 2 – Computer Network Operations

Week 3: Unit 3 – Quality of Service

Week 4: Unit 4 – Wireless Link-Layer Protocols

Week 5: Unit 5 – Wireless Routing Protocols

Week 6: Unit 6 – Secure Storage, Virtualization, and Cloud Computing

Week 7: Unit 7 – Securing Networks

Week 8: Unit 8 – Emerging Innovations in Wireless Technologies

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Introduction to Network Security

• Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: Computer Network Operations

• Peer assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit the Learning Journal 
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: Quality of Service

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 4: Wireless Link-Layer Protocols

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: Wireless Routing Protocols

• Peer assess Unit 4 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: Secure Storage, Virtualization, and Cloud Computing

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 7: Securing Networks

• Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit the Learning Journal 
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Emerging Innovations in Wireless Technologies

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Learning Journal 
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz
• Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

• Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz
• Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
• The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor