Assignment Module NG08r

Research into Networking Technologies

About this document | Related Instructional Module: NG08c

Overview

In this research assignment, you will be investigating an area of networking technology that is a core component of the Internet. You will be assigned to a team which will work on similar types of technologies.

Topics

A. Devices and Facilities

Team 1. Local Devices

  1. Network adapter
  2. Hub
  3. Router
  4. Gateway
Questions to Answer
  • What are these used for?
  • How do they differ from similar types of devices?
  • What devices are they connected to at either end?
  • What environment (home, business, network center, etc.) are these likely to be used in?
  • What variations, or different models, are available?
  • What are some of the major brands and what is the price range

Team 2. Wide Area Network Facilities

  1. Point of presence
  2. Internet Exchange, Network Access Points, and Metropolitan Area Exchanges
  3. Routing Arbiter and Routing Servers
Questions to Answer
  • What is the purpose if this network facility?
  • Approximately how many are there?
  • How does each one relate to the others, and how do they relate to local area devices?
  • What kinds of organizations have these?
  • What similar network facilities are used?

B. Transmission media

Team 3. Transmission media

  1. Categories of copper cable (Cat 1 - Cat 6 or higher)
  2. Fiber optic cable
  3. Long-range radio
  4. Short-range radio
  5. Infrared
Questions to Answer
  • What is each transmission medium best for?
  • What is the bandwidth range?
  • What is the distance range?
  • What is the relative cost?
  • What protocol(s) are used to transmit signals over each?
  • Is the usefulness of this medium growing, diminishing, or staying steady?

C. Software

Team 4: Network User Software

  1. Application software
  2. Security software
  3. Stack software
Questions to Answer
  • What is the main purpose of each of the three kinds of network user software?
  • What are the major sub-types of each?
  • What are the best-known examples of each sub-type?
  • How does the user interact with each kind?

Team 5: Behind the Scenes Network Software

  1. Protocol handler software
  2. Driver software
  3. Server software
  4. Router software
Questions to Answer
  • What is the purpose of each type of network software?
  • What are examples of each type?
  • What specialist(s) is/are most likely to work with each type?

Report Process and Requirements

Steps:

  1. Team selection: teams will be assigned as much as possible according to individual interests.
  2. Task selection: once teams are formed, members will determine who researches and who writes on each topic.
  3. Research: Use the text, on-line modules, on-line research, and the library as needed to gather information about each topic. Be sure to look for answers to each of the "Questions to Answer" for your topic.
  4. Writing: create a report that includes answers to all the questions for your topic, but not necessarily in that order. You may include any other interesting information you encounter in your research.
    1. Choose either Powerpoint or HTML for the entire team's report.
    2. Write the information in short bullet-points rather than long paragraphs.
    3. The report should be a length that can be presented in 10-15 minutes.
  5. Prepare to present: Gather the materials written by each team member into a single document (either Powerpoint or HTML). Each team member should speak about something; decide who will speak about what. Tip: practicing what you will say in advance can save you from sounding dumb in front of the class. ;-)
  6. Present your report to the class: You will show your Powerpoint or Web page to the class using the projector. Please plan on 10-15 minutes for your presentation.

About This Document

Audience
This assignment is for people who have a grasp of the core components of the Internet and are ready to learn more details about some aspect of the technology.
Objectives
On successful completion, you will have researched an area of Internet technology and presented a brief (5-10 minute, 3-4 page) report.
Module NG08r: Research into Networking Technologies
This document is part of a modular instruction series in Computer Instruction. For more information, see the overview or the list of modules in this series, NG: General Overviews and Getting Started. This document has been used in the following classes: INP 160.
Document History
Original: 17 January 2005
This version uploaded: Monday, 31-Aug-2009 11:47:59 EDT
Copyright © 2005, Laurence J. Krieg, Washtenaw Community College
Permissions
Instructors: You may point to this file in your Web-based materials; however, its location may change without notice.
Students: You are welcome to make a copy for your personal use.
All other uses: Please contact the author, Laurence J. Krieg, for permission: krieg@ieee.org.