Tag Archives: Term 2

Networking and Operating Systems

Section 2.3 – Networking Basics – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces you to computer networking and gives you practice setting up wired network connections. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Use a web browser to access the World Wide Web.
  • Define some advantages of computer networking.
  • Describe the relationship between ISPs and the Internet.
  • Explain the role of clients and servers on a network.
  • Compare and contrast different Internet Service options.
  • Use a cable modem to connect a small home office network to the Internet.
  • Use an Ethernet cable to connect a workstation to a local area network.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Network Interface A computer component that provides a port (usually RJ-45) where a network cable can be connected.
  • Network Cable A cable that provides connectivity between network devices. A common network cable connects a computers network interface with a wall jack.
  • Wall Jack A device, usually located on a building wall, that provides a port (usually RJ-45) where a network cable can be connected. On the hidden side of a wall jack is wiring to a patch panel or to a network device.
  • Local Area Network (LAN) A group of networked computers that are physically close together, usually in the same building.
  • Wide Area Network (WAN) A network of interconnected LANs across a large geographical location.
  • Client-Server Model A computing model where computer servers supply network and computational services (such as email, file sharing, online gaming, and VoIP) that are consumed by client computers.
  • File Server A computer that provide network access to shared disk storage.
  • Mail Server A computer that provides email services to a network.
  • Web Server A computer that stores web pages and hypertext documents and transmits them to devices requesting these pages.
  • Database Server A computer that stores databases, which are huge repositories of organized data.
  • Gaming Server A computer that provides a gaming environment that tracks events in multiplayer video games.
  • Modem Short for modulator/demodulator, a network device that converts digital signals used by modern networks to analog signals that are typically carried by telephone or cable tv lines.
  • Router A network device that moves traffic between two different IP networks.
  • Switch A network device that moves traffic within an IP network.
  • Access Point A network device that connects wireless devices to a wired network.
  • Firewall A network security device that protects a network by examining the traffic before transferring it to the network.
  • Home Router A small network device with modem, firewall, routing, and switching features that is used in homes and small businesses.
  • Registered Jack 11 (RJ-11) Interface A network interface or connection with four pins and a clip to hold the plug into a wall socket. RJ-11 is used to connect to a plain old telephone line. In a DSL network, this interface connects the modem to the wall jack.
  • Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45) Interface A network interface or connection with eight pins, that is similar, but wider than RJ-11 connectors. RJ-45 is used to create a wired connection between a computer and a network.
  • Bluetooth A technology used to create wireless connections between computers and devices.
  • Near Field Communications (NFC) A technology that uses specially encoded tags that respond in a specific way when scanned by a radio frequency reader. NFC is often used by placing a smartphone near a scanner to pay for an item in a store.
  • Dial-Up A technology used in the early days of the internet where a computer would make a phone call to the ISP to establish internet connectivity.
  • Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) A technology that uses phone lines to establish high-speed connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Cable A technology that uses cable tv lines to establish high-speed connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Fiber Optic A technology that used fiber optic cables that carry light signals to establish high-speed connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Satellite A technology that sends signals to and from a satellite to establish connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Cellular A technology that uses cellular radio signals to establish connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Wi-Fi A technology that uses radio signals to connect a device to an access point.

Topics Discussed:

  • What hardware components are needed for a wired network? A wireless network?
  • What roles do servers play on a network?
  • What is the difference between a LAN and a WAN?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study Section 2.3: Networking Basics, and achieve a score of 80% or higher on the 15 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: October 28th, 2019
Teacher Pacing Due Date: October 30th, 2019

Networking and Operating Systems

Section 2.2 Lab – Kali Linux in VirtualBox VM Installation

Objective:

Students will install and configure a specialized desktop operating system in a VirtualBox VM environment.

Links:

Topics Discussed:

  • Software
  • System Software
  • Operating Systems
  • Linux
  • Kali Linux
  • Specialized OS
  • VirtualBox VM
  • Virtual Machine

Assignment:

  1. This week we will be working in the classroom with a specialized Operating System installation. We will be using a Virtual Machine software called VirtualBox to installing a specialized OS (Kali Linux) in a virtual environment that we will use in the second half of our course.
  2. I will distribute the required files in class today. If you did not receive the files or if you were not in attendance today, you will need to see me and I will show you where to download the files directly.
  3. In your Downloads folder, you should have a subfolder called “VirtualBox 6.0”. Inside this folder, you should have four files: a VirtualBox .dmg file, a Kali Linux 2019 .ova file, an Oracle_VM .vbox-extpack file, and a UserManual.pdf file. If you are missing any of these files, please see me immediately to get them.
  4. I will instruct you in-class on Thursday how to install VirtualBox VM in OSX, and how to load the VirtualBox extension pack and the preconfigured Kali Linux package.
  5. We will walk through the configuration and testing of Kali on Friday, and I will explain some of the unique and powerful features of this specialized flavor of the Linux operating system.
  6. Kali Linux will be required for the second half of the class, and you must complete your VirtualBox VM Kali Linux installation in class by Friday, October 25th to receive credit for this Lab Activity.

Assigned: October 23rd, 2019
Due Date: October 25th, 2019

Networking and Operating Systems

Section 2.1 – The Internet – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces you to basic concepts associated with the Internet and the World Wide Web. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Define the Internet and the World Wide Web.
  • Describe the essential components of the Web, including websites, URLs, hyperlinks, web browsers, and search engines.
  • Identify technologies that use the Internet, including the Web, email, instant messaging, VoIP, and the Internet of Things.
  • Identify common web applications, including Webmail, Google Docs, Facebook, and YouTube.
  • Define and describe the uses of cloud computing.
  • Define social media and describe its uses.
  • Recognize the risks and responsibilities of using social media.
  • Describe the differences between downloading, live streaming, and on-demand streaming.
  • Copy files from the local Windows file system to OneDrive.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Internet An internetwork, or a connection between networks.
  • The Web Short for World Wide Web, the digital content that is delivered over the Internet, usually through a web browser.
  • The Internet Often used synonymously with the Web, the vast collection of networking hardware and physical computing devices that make up the Internet.
  • Internet Service Providers (ISP) A company that provides individuals and businesses access to the internet and other related services.
  • IP Address A numerical label that is assigned to devices so they can connect and communicate on a network.
  • Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) A set of rules that govern the transfer of web content between computers.
  • File Transfer Protocol (FTP) A set of rules that govern the transfer of files between computers.
  • Universal Resource Locator (URL) The reference or address to a resource on the Internet. Example: https://www.testout.com/home/about/privacy
  • Domain Name System (DNS) A system and set of rules that associates domain names (such as web servers) with unique IP addresses so that users can find and use network resources by an easily readable name instead of by IP address.
  • Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP-IP) A set of rules that facilitates internet communication.
  • Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) A programming language that web pages use to display content through web browsers.
  • Intranet A private network, usually hidden from the internet and protected by a security device, that uses the same technologies that are used on the internet and may or may not be connected to the internet.
  • Voice over IP (VoIP) A technology that sends voice phone calls using the TCP/IP protocol over digital data lines.
  • Wi-Fi A technology that allows computers, smartphones, and other devices to communicate on a wireless network.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) A computing concept that describes the network of physical devices and everyday devices (including refrigerators, thermostats, streetlights, and environmental tracking systems) that communicate with the internet.
  • Social Media Platform A web-based technology to distribute information and encourage people to connect with others who share a common interest. Examples of social media platforms are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
  • Cloud Computing The use of remote services hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data.
  • Cloud Storage A cloud computing service that remotely maintains, manages, and backs up data and makes that data available to users over a network.
  • Streaming A method of transmitting and receiving data (especially video and audio information) over a network as a steady, continuous flow, allowing playback while the data is being transferred.
  • Live Streaming A streaming method that transmits data in real time as it is created.
  • On-Demand Streaming A streaming method that allows users to select and watch or listen to video or audio when they choose, rather than at a scheduled broadcast time.
  • Buffering The pre-loading of data from a stream into memory to help avoid interruptions while waiting for data that is received in bursts.

Topics Discussed:

  • What is the relationship between the Internet, the World Wide Web, and web browsers?
  • What are some benefits of using social media? What are some drawbacks?
  • What are the most common uses of cloud computing?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study Section 2.1: The Internet, and achieve a score of 80% or higher on the 15 question Exam to complete the Section.
  3. Remember that Wednesday, October 16th is a District Late Start, and that Thursday, October 17th is Pre-ACT Testing with 20 minute classes starting at 12:40pm for everyone but sophomores. Please plan your week accordingly.

Assigned: October 14th, 2019
Teacher Pacing Due Date: October 16th, 2019

Networking and Operating Systems

BOSS BATTLE! NetOp1 Semester Exam 2018

Objective:

Students will demonstrate their understanding of hardware and software basics through a summative quiz.

Link:

Topics Discussed:

  • Information Technology
  • The Internet & The World Wide Web
  • Software
  • Hardware – The CPU & Storage
  • Hardware – Input & Output
Assignment:

  1. Click the https://connect.mheducation.com link, log in and look for the “Boss Battle! Semester Exam Fall 2018” test.
  2. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions.
  3. Before starting the quiz, please put away all notes, study guides and other materials.
  4. Please close all other documents and webpages and do not open any new tabs or windows until after you have submitted the quiz.
  5. Please remain silent until everyone has completed the quiz.
  6. You have sixty-five minutes to complete the test. Be sure to submit your test answers before the end of the class period today, and be forewarned that the test will auto-submit itself at the end of the class period, so work quickly!
  7. Congratulations on completing the first half of Networking and Operating Systems! I’ll see you in 2019 with a completely new set of projects focused on the fundamentals of networking and cybersecurity!

Have the Merriest of Christmases, the Happiest of New Years’, the Happiest of Hanukkahs, the most Peaceful of Kwanzaas – whatever you may celebrate, enjoy it to the fullest!

Assigned: December 18th, 2018
Due Date: December 19th, 2018
Networking and Operating Systems

Midterm Exam Review

Objective:

Students will review for the comprehensive midterm exam, covering material presented in chapters 1 through 5.

Link:

Topics Discussed:

  • Microchips
  • Transistors
  • Integrated circuits
  • Chips
  • Microprocessors
  • Machine language
  • System Unit
  • Power Supply
  • Motherboard
  • Central Processing Unit
  • The Machine Cycle
  • Memory
  • RAM
  • ROM
  • CMOS
  • Flash Memory
  • Expansion Cards
  • Bus Lines
  • Ports
  • Secondary Storage
  • Hard disks
  • Optical disks
  • Smart cards
  • Cloud storage

Assignment:

  1. Review the “Midterm Exam Practice” document on the McGraw Hill Connect site. The 100 question Midterm Final quiz will be drawn from the pool of 354 questions contained in the Practice document.
  2. The Midterm Exam Practice document will not be graded.
  3. You may bring in up to five (5) 3″ x 5″ notecards to the Midterm Final Exam on Wednesday. No other notes or webpages may be accessed during the Midterm Final Exam.
  4. Bear in mind that the Midterm Quiz will consist of material from Chapters 1 through 5. This practice quiz contains all the questions from our previous four quizzes, plus questions from Chapter 5, any of which could appear on Wednesday’s Midterm Quiz.
  5. Use your class time to review the questions and refresh your memories of everything we’ve studied to maximize your potential for a high score on the Midterm!
Assigned: December 17th, 2018
Teacher Pacing Due Date: December 19th, 2018
Networking and Operating Systems

Chap. 5 Lab – Hardware: Printers and Hardcopy Output

Objective:

  • Students will be able to identify different printing methods and printer hardware in current use.

Student-Friendly Objective:

  • I can tell the difference between different types of printers, and what they’re used for.
Links:
Deconstructed: Inkjet Printers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcc69NPBc2M

Deconstructed: Laser Printers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kRenCa5e6k
NetOp Printer Study Guide
Please access the class textbook at https://connect.mheducation.com/.

 

Topics Discussed:
  • Chapter 5

Assignment:

  1. Review Chapter 5 in the class text.
  2. Watch the Deconstructed videos to see the inner workings of an inkjet printer and a laser printer.
  3. We will be in the lab starting tomorrow to conduct a hands-on disassembly of a laser printer. Remember: Attendance at lab demonstrations is required to receive lab credit.
  4. Download the NetOp Printer Study Guide to direct your observation and study. This completed study guide is due by Friday, December 14th.

Assigned: December 10th, 2018
Teacher Pacing Due Date: December 14th, 2018

Networking and Operating Systems

Test Your Might! – Chap. 5 Quiz – Hardware: Input and Output

Objective:

  • I can demonstrate my understanding of Chapter 5 through a summative quiz.

Links:

McGraw-Hill Connect: https://connect.mheducation.com/

Topics Discussed:

  • Chapter 5: Hardware: Input & Output

Assignment:

  1. Click the https://connect.mheducation.com/ link to connect to the online testing website. Log in with your credentials.
  2. Navigate to the “Test Your Might – Chap. 5 Quiz”.
  3. The quiz is 93 questions, all multiple choice.
  4. Contrary to what I have been announcing this week, the quiz questions are entirely drawn from Chapter 5 material. Depending on how well you studied Chapter 5, this may work to your advantage.
  5. Please put away all notes, study guides and other materials before starting the quiz.
  6. Please close all other documents and webpages and do not open any new tabs or windows until after you have submitted the quiz.
  7. Please remain silent until everyone has completed the quiz.
  8. Submit your test answers before the end of the class period today. The test will autosubmit at the end of the class period, so please manage your time wisely.

Assigned: December 7th, 2018
Due Date: December 7th, 2018

Networking and Operating Systems

Sharpening the Saw – Chap. 5 Hardware: Input and Output

Objective:

Students will review for the comprehensive Chapter 5 exam, covering material presented in chapters 1 through 5.

The first half of this chapter describes input, the second half output. Students will be able to describe and explain the three categories of input hardware: keyboards, including terminals; pointing devices, including mice, touch screens, and pen-based devices; and source data-entry devices, ranging from scanners to bar-code readers, audio-input devices, image recognition, speech recognition, and sensors.

Students will be able to  describe various kinds of output hardware—softcopy output, including varieties of display screens; hardcopy output, covering all kinds of printers; and mixed output, describing sound, voice, and video output devices.

Students will also be able to discuss the importance of ergonomics—what to do to avoid the negative health effects of computers.

Link:

Topics Discussed:

  • Microchips
  • Transistors
  • Integrated circuits
  • Chips
  • Microprocessors
  • Machine language
  • System Unit
  • Power Supply
  • Motherboard
  • Central Processing Unit
  • The Machine Cycle
  • Memory
  • RAM
  • ROM
  • CMOS
  • Flash Memory
  • Expansion Cards
  • Bus Lines
  • Ports
  • Secondary Storage
  • Hard disks
  • Optical disks
  • Smart cards
  • Cloud storage

Assignment:

  1. Complete the “Sharpening the Saw” Practice quiz, due Thursday of this week. The Practice quiz consists of 47 questions.
  2. Check your score afterwards, and if you got less than 80 percent, try, try again!
  3. Go for 100%! The more you retry, the better prepared you’ll be for the final quiz on Thursday, December 6th!
  4. Bear in mind that the Chapter 5 Quiz will consist of material from Chapters 1 through 5. This practice quiz contains only questions from Chapter 5, any of which could appear on Friday’s Quiz.
  5. Use your class time to review the questions and refresh your memories of everything we’ve studied to maximize your potential for a high score on the Chap. 5 Quiz!
Assigned: November 30th, 2018
Teacher Pacing Due Date: December 6h, 2018
Networking and Operating Systems

Chap. 5 – Hardware: Input and Output – LearnSmart

Objective:

The first half of this chapter describes input, the second half output. Students will be able to describe and explain the three categories of input hardware: keyboards, including terminals; pointing devices, including mice, touch screens, and pen-based devices; and source data-entry devices, ranging from scanners to bar-code readers, audio-input devices, image recognition, speech recognition, and sensors.

Students will be able to  describe various kinds of output hardware—softcopy output, including varieties of display screens; hardcopy output, covering all kinds of printers; and mixed output, describing sound, voice, and video output devices.

Students will also be able to discuss the importance of ergonomics—what to do to avoid the negative health effects of computers.

Link:

Topics Discussed:

  • Keyboards
  • Terminals
  • Pointing Devices
  • Mouse
  • Source Data-Entry Device
  • Softcopy
  • Output
  • Display Screens
  • Hardcopy
  • Printers
  • Mixed Output: Sound, Voice, & Video
  • Quality of Life
  • Ergonomics

Assignment:

  1. Complete the Chapter LearnSmart module, due Friday, December 30th. This Practice assignment consists of 80 questions.
  2. When you are finished with this LearnSmart assignment, you may work on any assignments that are past due (like the Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt Lab that many of you have not completed).
Assigned: November 26th, 2018
Teacher Pacing Due Date: November 30th, 2018
Networking and Operating Systems

Chap. 4 Lab – Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt

Objective

  • I can demonstrate my understanding of modern and legacy ports and connectors by producing a document identifying each port visually.

Links:

Topics Discussed:

  • System Unit
  • Expansion Cards
  • Modern vs. Legacy
  • Ports
  • Connectors
  • Male / Female Ports & Connectors
  • Serial Communications
  • Parallel Communications

Assignment:

  1. Today, we will be working on a Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt activity, where you will be tasked with identifying 27 different expansion ports and connectors common to PC workstations.
  2. Using the list below, and the Internet for research, you will hunt all around my room to find each of the 27 ports on the hardware devices located throughout Room 225. Hunt high and low, and dig through the provided hardware bins to find them all!
  3. Use your cell phone, the iSight camera on your iMac, or ask for a digital camera to take pictures of each port. You must provide original photos of each port (No borrowing from the Internet!).
  4. Produce a document (Google Doc, Google Slides, etc.) and place your pictures in the document. Use text labels to identify each of the 27 ports.
  5. Submit your completed Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt document with all the required pictures to the Google Classroom assignment labeled “Chap. 4 Lab – Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt” by Wednesday, November 21st.
  6. If all 1st Year students complete the Lab by turning in an original document containing all 27 photos correctly labeled by end of day on Wednesday, the entire class will receive a pizza party after the Thanksgiving holiday.
  7. Good luck, and happy hunting!

Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt List:

Legacy Multifunction Ports

D-Sub Ports:

25-pin serial port (female)
9-pin serial port (male)
25-pin parallel port (female)
36-pin IEEE 1284B Centronics connector (male)

Standard Single-Function Ports

PS/2 6-pin mini-DIN keyboard port (purple)
PS/2 6-pin mini-DIN mouse port (green)

Video Ports

15-pin D-Sub VGA port (female)
DVI port (female)
RGB Component ports (female)
Composite Video port (female)
Mini DisplayPort port (female)

Audio Ports

1/8-inch mini-audio port (female)
S/PDIF coaxial audio port (female)

Multimedia Ports

RG-6 coaxial port (female)
S-Video port (female)
Composite Audio port (female)

MIDI/Joystick Ports

DB-15 Joystick/Game port

Modem Ports

RJ-11 modem port (female)

Network Interface Ports

RJ-45 network port (female)
BNC Port (female)

Modern Multifunction Ports

USB A port(female)

USB 3.0 A port (female)
USB B port (female)
USB mini port(female)
Firewire 400 IEEE 1394a port (female)
Firewire 800 IEEE 1394b port (female)
SCSI Ultra 320 port (female)

Assigned: November 19th, 2018
Due Date: December 21st, 2018