Cyber Technology Program

Network Essentials Course

Suggested Lesson Plan

Lesson 4: Understanding Ethernet

Delivery Time
This lesson contains approximately 120 minutes of lecture and lab work.

Course Outcomes Supported

This lesson supports the following course-level learning outcomes. For the complete list, see
the NSC Network Essentials syllabus included in this Teaching Toolkit.

Following successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

 Identify the major network implementations.

Lesson Learning Outcomes

Following this lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Describe TCP/IP functions and interactions between each TCP/IP core protocol and
subprotocol as described in the context of the OSI model.
2. Explain IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and naming conventions.
3. Explain LAN topologies, with an emphasis on the most popular and fault-tolerant types, and
describe the many Ethernet standards, from the older 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps transmission
rates.
4. Explain how data is converted to electromagnetic waves and how obstacles can impair
wireless communication.
5. Perform a wireless site survey, install and configure a wireless access point, and
troubleshoot wireless connectivity problems.

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Instructional Resources

Recommended Textbook(s)
No one specific textbook is recommended. When choosing a textbook, make sure that it aligns
with the current CompTIA Network+ exam objectives, which are available at
http://certification.comptia.org/getCertified.aspx.

Some textbooks also have a supplemental DVD with videos, sample test questions, and
simulation software.

Recommended Materials
 Certification testing software, available from a wide variety of vendors.
 Professor Messer Videos (http://www.professormesser.com/).
 Quizlet, a free flashcard and testing website (http://quizlet.com/).

Facilities and Equipment

Computers with Internet access for each student.

Preparation and Setup

 Create presentation on lesson topics using resources from textbook publisher.
 Develop an assessment tool on lesson topics based on the selected text or other materials
for this course.
 Prepare scoring guide, such as a rubric or answer key, for assessment tool.
 Prepare student handouts and resources.

Lesson Delivery

Topics Covered
1. Ethernet Networks
a. Ethernet
b. Switched Ethernet
c. Ethernet Frames
d. MAC Addresses

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Understanding Ethernet Lesson 4

2. Networking Standards
a. Standards Organizations
b. IEEE 802.X Standards
c. 10Base Standards
d. Fast Ethernet
e. Gigabit Ethernet
f. Ring-based Networks
3. Wireless Networks
a. WLANs
b. WLAN Architecture
c. Wireless Antennas
d. Wireless Antenna Types
e. Wireless Antenna Performance Factors
f. IEEE 802.11 Standard
g. 802.11 Modes
h. 802.11 Beacon Frames
i. Basic Wireless Network Implementations
j. Microwave Transmission
k. Wireless Access Points
l. Installing a Wireless Access Point

Lecture/Discussion
 Discuss lesson topics using prepared presentation.
 Lead discussion questions and in-class assignments:
o What are the five major standard setting organizations for computers and networking?
o What are the 802.x standards used for?
o Which 802.X standard goes with Fast Ethernet?
o How do Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet differ?
o What types of antennas can be used with wireless?
o Which 802.X standard is for wireless?
o What considerations are needed when looking to install wireless access points?
 Review in-class assignments.

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Understanding Ethernet Lesson 4

Lab Activities
 Find and Document MACs: Have the student find the Media Access Control address (MAC
address) that identifies their computer’s NIC, document the ways to find the MAC address
assigned to a computer, and then find the MAC address of their own.
 Install a Wireless Access Point and Test Connectivity: Have the student perform a wireless
site survey, install and configure a wireless access point, and troubleshoot wireless
connectivity problems.

Homework
 Complete textbook questions related to the topics of this lesson.
 Read textbook chapter on networking standards, the OSI model, and TCP/IP protocols in
advance of the next class session.

Assessment

Learning Outcome 1
 Outcome: Describe TCP/IP functions and interactions between each TCP/IP core protocol
and subprotocol as described in the context of the OSI model.

 Assessment: Find and Document MACs lab activity and other assessment tools based on the
selected text or other materials for this course.

 Evaluation: Score using prepared scoring guide.

 Standard: Minimum score of 70%.

Learning Outcome 2
 Outcome: Explain IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and naming conventions.
 Assessment: Assessment tool based on the selected text or other materials for this course.
 Evaluation: Score using prepared scoring guide.
 Standard: Minimum score of 70%.

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Understanding Ethernet Lesson 4

Learning Outcome 3
 Outcome: Explain LAN topologies, with an emphasis on the most popular and fault-tolerant
types, and describe the many Ethernet standards, from the older 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps
transmission rates.
 Assessment: Assessment tool based on the selected text or other materials for this course.
 Evaluation: Score using prepared scoring guide.
 Standard: Minimum score of 70%.

Learning Outcome 4
 Outcome: Explain how data is converted to electromagnetic waves and how obstacles can
impair wireless communication.
 Assessment: Assessment tool based on the selected text or other materials for this course.
 Evaluation: Score using prepared scoring guide.
 Standard: Minimum score of 70%.

Learning Outcome 5
 Outcome: Perform a wireless site survey, install and configure a wireless access point, and
troubleshoot wireless connectivity problems.

 Assessment: Install a Wireless Access Point and Test Connectivity lab activity and other
assessment tools based on the selected text or other materials for this course.

 Evaluation: Score using prepared scoring guide.

 Standard: Minimum score of 70%.

About These Materials

The National STEM Consortium

These materials were developed by the National STEM Consortium (NSC). NSC, a collaborative
of ten colleges in nine states, was funded by a U.S. Department of Labor grant to develop one-
year certificate programs in five technical fields: Composites Technology, Cyber Technology,
Electric Vehicle Technology, Environmental Technology, and Mechatronics Technology. For
more information visit the NSC website: http://www.nationalstem.org.

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Understanding Ethernet Lesson 4

Copyright
©2015 National STEM Consortium.

License

Unless otherwise specified, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons

Attribution 4.0 International License.

Attribution
To attribute this work, use: Linda Dyczkiewycz.

Citation
To cite this work, use:

Dyczkiewycz, L. (2015). Network Essentials Course. Cyber Technology certificate program of the
National STEM Consortium. Retrieved from http://oli.cmu.edu.

Accessibility
The NSC has made every effort to create accessible materials, following best practices and
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. For example, to ensure screen reader systems
can work with these materials, we write using plain English, heading styles in outline structure,
simple layout, minimal tables and charts, bulleted and numbered lists, high-contrast colors,
standard fonts, white space for ease of reading, and so on. For more information about ADA
compliance, see the 2010 Design Standards on the ADA website:
http://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm

Disclaimer
This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s
Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does
not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of
Labor makes no guarantees, warrantees, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with
respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not
limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy,
continued availability, or ownership.

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