INSTRUCTORS: Patrick E. Mantey and Jack D. Callon
Office: Applied Science 321; Mailbox: Applied Science 237
Office Telephone: 408-459-2122
Office Hours: 1:00 to 3:30 Monday and Friday and by appointment
Email addresses: Callon@soe.ucsc.edu (university) and Jdcallon@aol.com (home)
Fall Quarter 1999 - Course Grades
OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:
The course deals with the fundamentals of telecommunications networks both from a technical and business perspective. It addresses both "what" the Internet is and "why" it is becoming more significant relative to how we work, live, learn, play and communicate.
In completing this course a student should have an understanding of the role of telecommunication network structure, architecture, major components, strengths and short-comings. Also emphasized is understanding the Internet not only for personal use but its increasing importance resource for business and public sector organizations for such things as E-Commerce, intranets and extranets.
The Internet is such a broad topic that it is realistic to posture this as a foundation course both for those that want to use it for personal use and those that plan to pursue the subject of networking is subsequent courses.
Specifically this course will address:
COURSE PREREQUISITES: There are no specific prerequisites to this course but sophomore standing is recommended.
TEXTBOOKS: Two books will be used for this course. The first is The Internet Book : Everything You Need to Know About Computer Networking and How the Internet Works by Douglas E. Comer. Referred to in the course schedule as "TI." This book provides an overview of the Internet and of networking technology and terminology for general readers with no technical background, explaining the evolution of the Internet, the analog to digital revolution, local and wide-area networks, wireless communication, TCP/IP software, and distributed computing. A section on Internet services offers instructions for using e-mail, BBSs, file transfer, and browsing and searching services.
The second book is Net Success by Christina Ford Haylock and Len Muscarella. Referred to in the course schedule as "NS." This book was written for people who are trying to develop and implement effective Internet strategies. These businesses are referred to as Encumbered Companies, because they come to the Web with baggage that Internet startups simply don't have, such as existing sales channels that might be threatened; existing organizational challenges; and expectations of boards and shareholders about earnings and margins. In Net Success is the learnings of 24 experienced business leaders, writing about topics ranging from design to advertising to legal issues.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Read and clearly understand the class syllabus, the organizational structure of the books, the course assignments and the due dates. Also read Chapter 1, The Internet Has Arrived, in The Internet (TI) book as background information.
Read the Introduction and Ch. 1 and 2 in NS and Ch. 22, Browsing the
World Wide Web; Ch. 23, World Wide Web Document (HTML); Ch. 24,
Advanced Web Technologies; Ch. 25, Automated Web Search in TI
Class Notes
Read Ch. 2, Telephones Everywhere and Ch. 3, The World Was Once Analog in TI.
Due: Letter of Introduction and proposal for the first assignment
Read Ch. 4, The Once and Future Digital Network, and Ch. 5, Basic Communication, in TI.
Read Ch. 6, The Local Area Network Arrives, and Ch. 7, Internet: The Early Years, in TI.
Due: Written Assignment Number 1.
Read Ch. 8, A Decade of Incredible Growth; Ch. 9, The Global Internet; Ch. 10, A Global Infrastructure.
Read Chapter 8 in Net Success. Class Notes
Read Chapter 11, Packet Switching; Ch. 12, Internet: A Network of Networks; Ch. 13, IP: Software to Create a Virtual Network; Ch. 14, TCP: Software for Reliable Communication in TI. Class Notes
Bridges and Switches Class Notes
Read Ch. 15, Clients+Servers=Distributed Computing; Ch. 16, Names for Computer; Ch. 17, Why the Internet Works Well in TI.
Due: Written Assignment Number 2.
Read Chapters 10 and 11 in Net Success
Read Ch. 18, Electronic Mail; Ch. 19, Bulletin Board Service; Ch. 20, File Transfer (FTP), Remote Login (TELNET)
Read Ch. 26, Audio and Video Communication, and Ch. 27, The Global Digital Library, in TI.
Read Ch. 4, Virtual Communities; Ch. 5, Internet Advertising; Ch. 6, Internet Direct Marketing in NS.
Read Ch. 7 in NS.
Due: Written Assignment Number 3.
Read Ch. 9, Putting Your Business Online, Not on the Line in NS.
Read Part III (Chapters 12, 13, 14 , 15 and 16) in Net Success.
Nov. 25 (TH) Thanksgiving - No class scheduled.
Due: Assignment Number 4 Team Assignments
GRADE STRUCTURE:
| Introduction Letter | 03% |
|---|---|
| Written Assignments (4) | 47% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
DUE DATES: All written assignments are due on the dates indicated. Papers submitted after the due date will not be accepted and will receive a failing grade. Absence from class does not excuse late papers unless arrangements have been made with the instructor before the day that the paper is due.
MAKE-UP EXAMS: Exams should be taken when they are scheduled. Make-up exams will be available only if the student has received permission from the instructor to take a make-up exam before the exam is given to the rest of the class.
|
Grade % |
Category A Students |
Either Category of Students |
Category B Students | |
|
1 |
7% |
Search Engine Evaluation |
Major Networks |
ISP Service Provider Business |
|
2 |
8% |
Create Personal Web Page |
E-Commerce Success Evaluation |
Web Page Catalog Business |
|
3 |
13% |
CRS Application Software |
E-Commerce Business Plan |
Bandwidth Analysis |
|
4 |
19% |
College Course Internet Delivery |
Note: The fourth assignment will be a joint effort involving two students working together.
Do a compound search using four different search engines and write an evaluation of the capabilities of the four search engines based on the following criteria:
One of the search engines should be a multiple search engine like Ask Jeeves, Web Crawler, Dog Pile or Mama.
Identify and explain the operational characteristics of three different networks that play a major role in today's society and/or commercial world. Focus specifically on the following factors:
In this assignment you should accomplish the following:
Using HTML create a personal web page representing yourself personally, as a student and as a potential employee. Minimally include a personal photograph and links within the personal page and to other relevant web pages.
E-Commerce Effectiveness and Success Evaluation With all of the focus on E-Commerce there is much to be desired in terms of success. This starts with an effective web page that meets both the customer and the company objectives. You will be assigned an industry and four companies to conduct an evaluation of how well postured they are to achieve E-Commerce success.
Design a web business that is based on maintaining a catalog of popular toys that will guarantee that you offer the lowest prices. Identify the major competitors and explain how you will determine the toys to carry and how you will monitor competitor prices. Focus on both business and technical risks.
CRS software is in response to the increasing focus on E-Commerce as a viable business model. Do an evaluation of the offerings from two different software companies that are marketing this type of software.
Submit a business plan for an Internet startup with a primary focus on the following factors:
Complete a bandwidth analysis of the requirements to support multi-media delivery for an E-Learning course.
Do an evaluation of the requirements to support Internet delivery of an undergraduate course on telecom networks. Also address some of the teaching implications of this approach from both the student and the instructors perspective. This assignment will be done by a two person team assigned by the instructors.