The official web page for this course is http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/Spring08/Itnw1351WebPage/ITNW1351.htm
Currency of information
The purpose of this document is to describe Prof. Baldwin's planned classroom activities for this course. This page may be updated as the semester progresses to reflect new information that becomes available during the semester. In that event, the revision date given above will be modified each time this page is updated.
Class schedule
See the official ACC course schedule for this course. All students are expected to attend every class.
Combination classroom/laboratory
This course is normally conducted in a combination classroom/laboratory. All class activities will be conducted in that classroom/laboratory (and in the hallways surrounding the classroom/laboratory when wireless roaming is called for).
The classroom/laboratory will be equipped with several Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Broadband Routers. It will be necessary for the students to share access to those routers either individually or in groups. Therefore, a great deal of flexibility will be required in terms of the class schedule.
Operating multiple routers in a confined space
Technically, it is possible to operate three routers in the confined space of the classroom/laboratory by operating one router on Channel 11, one router on Channel 6, and one router on Channel 1. Beyond that, any attempt to operate more than three wireless routers in the classroom/laboratory would probably result in unacceptable radio interference among the routers.
Student computer access
Each student will have access to a computer equipped with a Linksys WMP54G wireless network adapter (also known as a wireless Network Interface Card or wireless NIC). Students will use these computers to conduct various laboratory projects pertaining to wireless LAN operation.
Roaming with a portable notebook computer
In addition, Prof. Baldwin will make his personal laptop available for certain wireless projects that involve roaming around and observing signal strength and other factors in relation to the distance between the computer and the router, the required transmission speed of the router, etc.
Students are not required to have a laptop computer to succeed in the course. However, students who own a laptop computer equipped with a wireless network adapter compatible with either IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g are encouraged to bring their laptop to class to use in conjunction with certain laboratory projects.
Student hard disks
Each student will be issued a hard disk cartridge formatted with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later for use during the semester.. The cartridges can be plugged into any of the computers in the classroom/laboratory, but cannot be used elsewhere within ACC.
The use of cartridge disks will make it possible for each student to customize and maintain the information and/or programs on his or her assigned hard disk without concern about interference from other students.
Very informal classroom format
Because of the requirement for the students to share access to the routers at different times, it will be necessary for this class to be conducted on a very informal basis. Classroom activities will consist of a combination of the following:
Laboratory projects
Click here to access a page containing links to the laboratory projects that will be used in this course.
Internet access
Assuming that the network setup this semester is the same as in past semesters, students will have access to the Internet at large from the classroom/laboratory. However, students will not have access to ACC's intranet from within the classroom/laboratory.
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File: ITNW1351ClassroomActivities.htm