ITC-2000 Assignment Details and Directions

Labs

For each topic listed below having lab activities you will need to submit one lab report which covers all of the lab activities listed below the topic. Submissions are made through the NetAcad site. You do not need to submit answers to the questions in the activities, those are for your own learning use only. Lab activities may include remote equipment access or campus equipment. Good lab reports in this class are typically 400-700 words long. Each lab report is worth up to 20 points.

If you have not done lab reports in one of Dr. Franske’s classes before, or you want to try and score better on lab reports, be sure to check out the instructions for writing lab reports page and example reports!

PC Disassembly/Reassembly Labs

In this lab activity you will completely disassmble and then re-assemble a small form factor computer. If time allows you may also assemble a computer from parts.

You should primarily refer to the demonstration disassembly and re-assembly that was done in class but if you need additional reminders of the steps you may refer to the following lab activites in the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum:

  • 1.3.2.3 Lab - Disassemble a Computer

  • 2.1.2.5 Lab - Install the Power Supply

  • 2.1.3.10 Lab - Install the Motherboard in a Computer

  • 2.1.4.7 Lab - Install the Drives

  • 2.1.5.6 Lab - Install Adapter Cards

  • 2.1.7.4 Lab - Install Internal Cables

  • 2.1.7.8 Lab - Install the Front Panel Cables

  • 2.1.7.11 Lab - Complete the Computer Assembly

Boot/BIOS Labs

  • 3.1.1.6 Lab - Investigate BIOS or UEFI Settings

    Before beginning this lab activity you will need to find the key to tap while the computer is powering on which gives access to the BIOS or UEFI. You will need to look this up on Google for the particular model of computer or motherboard you are working with as different manufacturers use different keys.

  • 3.1.2.5 Lab - Search for BIOS or UEFI Firmware Updates

    Most modern BIOS or UEFI systems do not display POST messages like those shown in the lab anymore unless you specifically are able to disable the splash screen in the BIOS or UEFI settings. Even in that case the POST sometimews goes by too quickly to see any results on the screen.
    Because you will need to search the Internet for the most recent BIOS version by your motherboard or system manufacturer you will need a working Internet connection to your computer. You will need to complete the next two labs and get Windows installed before you’re able to finish that part of this lab activity.

  • 3.1.2.6 Lab - Install Windows

    You may need to go into the BIOS/UEFI settings of your system and eithe change the boot order of the system or make sure the system is set to UEFI boot mode instead of legacy boot mode in order to start the Windows installer from the USB drive.
    Make sure your computer is NOT connected to the Internet while Windows is being installed on it so that you can create a local account instead of being forced to use a Microsoft account! You will need to confirm during the setup process that you have no Internet connection and that you want to continue with "Limited Setup" because Microsoft really wants to force you to use a Microsoft Account to sign in.
    Be sure to choose a new installation, not to repair an existing one. If prompted choose to install "Windows 10 Education" or "Windows 10 Enterprise". Also, choose to do a "Custom" installation, not an upgrade, and delete any/all existing partitions on the drive (note that this will erase all data on the computer).
    If you are prompted for a license or activation key choose that you do not have one or to skip the step.
    During the account creation process use the name "ITC Admin" and the password "Password123!" be sure to write them down and have your partner write them down as well because you will need them again later in the course.

  • 3.1.2.7 Lab - Install Third-Party Software in Windows

    You will need to connect your computer to the Internet in order to complete this part of the lab activity. Get a network cable from your instructor and attach to one of the network jacks at your table, let your instructor know what the jack number is you are plugged into and they will verify that Internet access has been activated on that jack.
    You will need to download the Packet Tracer software from the Cisco Networking Academy site and copy it to your computer to install it. Find the link to download Packet Tracer under the Resources menu at the top of the Legacy NetAcad website. You will want the latest 64-bit Windows version.
    You may also want to download and install a better web browser for your system such as Chrome or Firefox instead of using Microsoft Edge.

Hardware Troubleshooting Labs

  • 4.2.3.6 Lab – Troubleshoot Hardware Problems

    In this lab you are asked to troubleshoot any problems with your hardware. After making sure your system is working properly obtain sheets from the instructor with a series of problems to create for your partner. Be sure to have your partner leave the room while you are creating each problem (one problem at a time!).

Networking Labs

For the lab activities in this section you will need two computers with wired network connections. Use your desktop PC as one computer and an ITC department laptop for the second computer. The password for the ITC department laptops is pass@word1
Make sure your systems do not have an Internet connection unless the lab specifically states to connect to the Internet. On the laptops this will mean you may need to disable the wireless network interface or disconnect from the wireless network.
It is strongly suggested that before you start your lab today you do a factory reset on your routers to clear any old settings. On the TP-Link Archer AC1200 routers the manual states to press and hold the "Reset" button on the back of the router with a pen or paperclip until the Power LED binks (at least 5 seconds) and then wait for the router to reboot to reset it.

  • 6.1.2.7 Lab - Configure a NIC to Use DHCP in Windows

    Do NOT connect your router or computer to an Internet connection, it’s not required for this lab.
    In this lab you are asked to open a command prompt window. In older versions of Windows the command prompt was an option in the start menu, but it was removed from there starting in Windows 10. To launch a command prompt in WIndows 10 or 11 just click on the start menu and start typing "cmd" or "Command Prompt" and you will find it.

  • 6.1.3.10 Lab - Configure a Wireless Network

    Do NOT connect your router or computer to an Internet connection, it’s not required for this lab.

    Change the router settings as indicated in the lab, use these for the NEW settings:

    • Router IP Address: 172.17.99.1

    • Router Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

    • DHCP Starting IP Address: 172.17.99.21

    • DHCP Maximum Number of Users: 20

    • Router Username: admin

    • Password: Password123!

    • Wireless SSID: ITE-Wxx (replace xx with the number of your laptop, found on a sticker on top of your laptop)

    • Wireless Passphrase: Cisco456!
    Do not complete Part 4 of this lab which is listed as optional.

  • 6.1.4.8 Lab - Configure Firewall Settings

    Do NOT connect your router or computer to an Internet connection, it’s not required for this lab.
    In Part 2, Step 1 you should add the MAC addresses of both your computers to the allowed list of MACs on the router.
    In Part 2, Step 2 you should add the IP address of ONE of your computers to the DMZ on the router.
    In Part 2, Step 3 you should add a port forwarding rule to forward port 80 to the IP address of the OTHER one of your computers. Also note that different manufacturers call "port forwarding" different things. For example TP-Link calls it "virtual servers" instead in some models of routers.

  • 6.2.2.5 Lab - Troubleshoot Network Problems

    In this lab you will connect your router to an Internet connection. Connect the WAN/Internet port on the router to the wired network jack in the room.
    Obtain sheets with two lists of problems to create from the instructor. Create these problems for your partner one at a time while they are out of the room and ask them to fix your network. If you are unsure of how to create the issue ask your instructor for help.
    Before you leave today please reset your router to the factory default settings.

Printer Labs

  • 8.3.1.3 Lab - Install a Printer in Windows

    You will install the printer to your desktop computer.

  • 8.4.1.3 Lab - Share a Printer in Windows

    In this lab use a laptop as the second device (the one which is not directly connected to the printer). Both the laptop and your desktop will need to be connected to the same network so setup your network routers with a connection to both computers. Do not connect the printer directly to the router at this point.
    Because of a security issue called "Print Nightmare" Microsoft has made some patches to Windows printer sharing which may prevent you from adding a network printer on a the client (Laptop in this case) through the traditional means (such as just double clicking on the shared printer or by searching and installing it as a network printer on the client. Instead you may need to download and install the printer driver on the client computer first (like you would for a local USB printer) and then manually add the shared printer on the client, specifying the driver to use.

  • 8.5.3.2 Lab - Perform Preventive Maintenance on a Laser Printer

    In this lab you will not actually install any new parts, just find and remove the existing parts on the printer and then re-install them. Also, you should locate the fuser on the printer and find and watch a video showing how to remove and replace it but do not actually do it because on our particular printer model it requires disassembling most of the printer to get to the fuser.

  • Lab - Setup and Connect to Network Printers

Virtualization/Linux Labs

Virtualization and Linux GUI exploration lab activity instructions

Windows Installation Labs

Windows Installation lab activity instructions

Windows Administration Labs

All of these labs will be completed on one of the PCs you installed Windows 10 on in the previous lab.

  • 11.1.2.5 - Explore the Windows Desktop

  • 11.1.3.4 - Work with Task Manager

  • 11.1.4.11 - Working with File Explorer

  • 11.2.1.5 - Explore Control Panel Categories

  • 11.2.2.3 - User Accounts

  • 11.2.2.4 - Permissions

  • 11.2.3.5 - Configure Browser Settings

  • 11.2.5.8 - Manage Virtual Memory

  • 11.2.6.2 - Use Device Manager

  • 11.2.7.4 - Region and Language Options

  • 11.2.9.4 - Privacy and Gaming

  • 11.3.1.11 - Monitor and Manage System Resources

  • 11.3.2.7 - System Utilities

  • 11.3.2.8 - Manage System Files

  • 11.3.3.8 - Hard Drive Maintenance

  • 11.3.4.9 - Install Third-Party Software

  • 11.4.1.5 - Work in the Windows Command Shell

  • 11.4.2.7 - File System Commands

  • 11.4.3.2 - Disk CLI Commands

  • 11.4.4.2 - Task and System CLI Commands

  • 11.5.2.4 - Share Resources

    In this lab activity you will need to share and connect to network files. You will need to use your second Windows PC and configure them for file sharing.

  • 11.4.5.3 - Other Useful Commands

    Complete this lab activity AFTER 11.5.2.4 so that you can use the file share you created in that lab in Part 2, Step 2d

  • 11.5.6.2 - Windows Remote Desktop and Assistance

    In this lab activity you will need to use your second Windows PC to remotely access your first Windows PC

  • 11.6.1.2 - Manage the Startup Folder

  • 11.6.1.5 - Schedule a Task Using the GUI and the Command Line

  • 11.6.2.4 - System Restore and Hard Drive Backup

  • 11.7.3.2 - Troubleshoot Operating System Problems

Mobile Device Labs

Security Labs

Support Labs

Homework

Homework activities will require submitting the actual answers to each question in the activity and may require showing your work as well. Homework assignment are individual, you and your lab partner need to both turn them in separately even if you work on them together.

  • Participate in an online forum discussion (typically 3 quality posts or more) of each module on the Cisco Netacad site. See the forum posting page for details. (up to 10 points each module based on quality)

Discussion forum posts are usually worth a larger portion of your final grade than most students expect! If you have not done discussion posts in one of Dr. Franske’s classes before, or you want to try and score better on discussion forum postings, be sure to check out the instructions for participating in forum discussions and example posts!

Participation Activities

Any participation activities completed in the course will go here. This falls into the participation category of your course grade.

  • Attend at least two Student Success Day presentations and bring proof of attendance signed by each presenter (10 points)

  • Meet with an academic advisor (10 points for meeting)

  • Complete a program/degree plan (10 points for completing)

  • Complete the online course feedback form (5 points for completing)

  • Complete the Practice Final Exam (Chapters 1-9) (10 points for attempting)

  • Complete the Practice Final Exam (Chapters 10-14) (10 points for attempting)

  • Compete the A+ 220-1101 Certification Practice Exam (10 points for attempting)

  • Compete the A+ 220-1102 Certification Practice Exam (10 points for attempting)

  • Weekly Progress Self-Evaluation - Complete on the Netacad Website (10 points possible each week)

Unit Assessments

You are responsible for completing all of the online module assessments listed below. These exams fall into the online assessments category of your course grade. If you are not able to complete an exam by the due date listed on the course schedule it is your reponsibility to contact the instructor prior to the due date for the exam. Contacting the instructor after the due date for the exam will usually mean the late work policy will apply (see the syllabus). For example, if the exam reports as not activated, or the website is down, you have lost Internet access, etc. contact the instructor as soon as possible for assistance.

  • Module 1 Exam - Introduction to Personal Computer Hardware

  • Module 2 Exam - PC Assembly

  • Module 3 Exam - Advanced Computer Hardware

  • Module 4 Exam - Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting

  • Module 5 Exam - Networking Concepts

  • Module 6 Exam - Applied Networking

  • Module 7 Exam - Laptops and Other Mobile Devices

  • Module 8 Exam - Printers

  • Module 9 Exam - Virtualization and Cloud Computing

  • Module 10 Exam - Windows Installation

  • Module 11 Exam - Windows Configuration

  • Module 12 Exam - Mobile, Linux, and macOS Operating Systems

  • Module 13 Exam - Security

  • Module 14 Exam - The IT Professional

Skills Final Exam

The Skills Final Exam is designed to test your ability to apply the concepts learned in this class and practiced in labs to common, real-world scenarios. There are two parts to this portion of your grade.

  • Half of your grade in this category will be based on successfully disassembling and reassembling a computer.

  • Half of your grade in this category will be based on successfully installing and configuring the Windows operating system to the specifications provided.

Online Final Exam

  • You will need to complete an online final exam on the Netacad site.

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