All 15 weeks
Pick a week to see the recap, videos, commands, and checklist.
Stage 1
Technical Organization & Computer Basics
Week 1
Course Orientation, USB Setup, and Technical Documentation
This week introduces the course, the workbook, the USB lab drive, and the documentation habits students will use throughout the semester.
Week 2
Computer Hardware and Operating System Basics
Understand basic parts of a computer and identify important operating system information before troubleshooting a network.
Stage 2
Commands & Networking Foundations
Week 3
Command-Line Basics
The command line is a tool for gathering information, testing connections, and documenting system behavior.
Week 4
Networking Fundamentals and the OSI Model
Learn the building blocks of networking and the seven OSI layers used to troubleshoot communication problems.
Week 5
IP Addressing, Subnet Masks, and Connectivity Testing
Focus on Layer 3: IP addresses, subnet masks, and default gateways — and the tools that verify they work.
Stage 3
Virtual LAN Design & Midterm
Week 6
Cisco Packet Tracer Introduction and LAN Design Practice
Use Cisco Packet Tracer to design and test a small virtual LAN.
Week 7
Midterm Part 1 — Virtual LAN Design
In groups, design and document a complete virtual LAN in Packet Tracer.
Week 8
Midterm Part 2 — LAN Merging
Merge two group LANs together and troubleshoot the conflicts that arise.
Stage 4
Virtual Labs & Network Tools
Week 9
VirtualBox Installation and Setup
Install Oracle VirtualBox and prepare it for creating safe virtual lab environments.
Week 10
Virtual Machine Creation and Virtual Networking Modes
Create a virtual machine and understand the network adapter modes you can attach to it.
Week 11
Introduction to Wireshark and Network Traffic Observation
Use Wireshark to capture and observe network traffic in an approved lab environment.
Week 12
Introduction to Nmap and Responsible Network Scanning
Use Nmap responsibly to discover hosts and open ports on approved lab systems only.
Week 13
Introduction to Netcat/Ncat and Basic Network Communication
Use Netcat/Ncat in an approved lab to test communication and basic file transfer between two systems.
Stage 5
Physical LAN Build & Final Portfolio
Week 14
Ethernet Cabling, Router Basics, and Final LAN Planning
Prepare cabling and routers, and plan the final LAN build for next week.
Week 15
Final LAN Build and Portfolio Submission
Build, test, troubleshoot, and document a working LAN using provided computers and a router, then submit the portfolio.