Introduction

The Cisco CCNA certification is the most well known computer networking certification in the industry. I recommend a Cisco course of study and the Cisco Academy Curriculum in particular to anyone who wants to learn about computer networking. It is the best foundation to teach how networks communicate, the protocols that are involved, network addressing, subnetting, routing, switching, VLANs and more!

As a Cisco Networking Academy instructor I have taught the Cisco CCNA curriculum for over 8 years. The college offers 4 classes that together map to the Cisco CCNA certification exam. CCNA 1 and CCNA 2 are offered in the Fall semester, and CCNA 3 and CCNA 4 in the Spring semester. Each class is eight weeks long taught back-to-back. All four Cisco CCNA courses are taught either in person as SDL classes, or online through distance education. We have a computer networking lab in GMB133 at our disposal for the SDL classes or for the online students who want to drop in in-person. All Cisco Academy students will have access to the curriculum materials online as well as the Packet Tracer software which is a great tool for creating simulated networked environments complete with functioning routers, switches, and hosts. 

Materials

All of the course materials including a complete interactive text, the Packet Tracer program for setting up virtual routers, switches and networks and are available online through the Cisco Networking Academy website. If you prefer a paper copy of the text you can purchase one online from the Cisco Press or Amazon. Make sure you order a current version of the text. I have provided a link to the text at Cisco Press and the ISBN number:

Network Fundamentals, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide: ISBN-10: 1587132087 or ISBN-13: 978-1587132087

Class Schedule and Policies

This class is offered either as Self Directed Learning-SDL, or Online. SDL students are required to be in the Lab - GMB133, a minimum of 2.5 hours per week you will log your hours in the lab. Here are some questions you will want answered:

• When can I come to the Lab?
  You are welcome to come to the lab at all times that it is open. I am personally in the lab to answer your questions and help you with your projects, for my exact lab times click on Lab/Classroom Hours.
• Can I work in the Lab when you are not there?
  Yes, if the door is open you are welcome to come in and work. If the door is locked try coming into the lab through GMB130 the Flex Lab. The Flex Lab opens Mon-Sat at 9am and is open late Tuesday until 9pm.
  
• Can I work with the Cisco routers and switches in the lab?.
  Yes we have Cisco routers and switches that are there for your use.
• What if I am an online student, and I can't work with the routers in person in the lab?
  Online students as well as SDL students will utilize the flexibility of Packet Tracer to virtually build large networks and configure routers and switches. I am also working to implement VPN remote access in order for online students to connect to physical routers in the lab.
  
• When should I come to class?
  Because of the fast pace of the course and the amount of material that needs to be covered. I advise Cisco students to come to the GMB133 lab Monday through Thursday from 4 to 6pm if possible. I will try and lecture/demonstrate Monday through Thursday from 4pm to 6pm on the chapter topic. For both the online and the SDL students I regularly create video tutorials and post articles on the topics covered in this class. Visit the website regularly because I update regularly.

• How can I assure that I will be successful?
  You will be successful if you take the time to read the assigned Cisco curriculum and do the labs. You will be successful if you attend regularly by coming to the lab Mondays through Thursdays, and logging-in daily to the Cisco Academy and to DansCourses.com. I recommend you plan for your own success by creating scheduled times set aside to work on the Cisco curriculum and its assignments.

• Is there a syllabus?
  The syllabus outlines the course, please download it and save it for your records: CSCO2000 Syllabus, CSCO2020 Syllabus
• How will I turn in assignments?
  All assignments will be turned in as email attachments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• How will I be graded?
  I grade on a point system. Every week you will have the opportunity to earn points. Points will be awarded for the following activities:
  • Chapter Exams - Almost all of chapters in the Cisco curriculum have a multiple choice test at the end of the chapter. The tests can be difficult testing your knowledge of the chapter's reading and labs as well as your ability to analyze diagrams and computer messaging/output
  • Chapter Labs - You will be given a grade on your participation in hands-on chapter labs and turning them in when requested
  • Final Simulated Lab Exam - An online Cisco Academy exam
  • Final Exam - An online Cisco Academy exam
    

  Your final grade is based on scale of total points earned to total points possible. 

Week 1 Assignment - Register Your Cisco Academy Profile and Read Chapters 1 & 2

1. Share your Cisco Academy account to my Academy - After you register for the class through Sheridan College, if you are already a member of a Cisco academy then we will need to share your previous Cisco academy account with our academy. If this is the case, please email me your previous Cisco academy username and academy ID so I can set up the sharing process. If you have not been a Cisco Academy student previously then I will create an account for you.
2. Read Chapters 1 and 2 - Once you are registered, log in and begin reading the Cisco Networking Fundamentals curriculum. In order to finish the entire Networking Fundamentals curriculum in eight weeks you will need to read chapters 1 and 2 the first week. 
3. Read my notes on the topics covered in chapters 1 and 2 - Click here to go to Communicating on a Network

Note: Unless I specifically assign them, the Packet Tracer labs and activities in the chapters are not mandatory, I will give credit for all Packet Tracer labs that you accomplish and send to me as email attachments. During the semester, I will be recommending specific labs I want you to accomplish or focus on.

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