Network Development Specialist

This program is approved for the following grants:

* Department of Assisted and Rehabilitated Services (DARS)
* Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
* Williamson/Burnet County Opportunities (WBCO)
* Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
* Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
* Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Training - Military Benefits

The Learning Pad accepts Military Benefits for Education (GI Bill). This extends to veterans as well as their spouse and dependents. Call to speak with an adviser for more information.

The Learning Pad has been approved to accept the MyCAA Financial Assistance. This grant is for Spouse Tuition Assistance available to spouses of active duty service members to pay for your education. To find out more, go HERE.

 Program Description:  You will install, upgrade, repair, configure, optimize, troubleshoot, and perform preventative maintenance on basic personal computer hardware and operating systems. You will identify and describe all the major networking technologies, systems, skills, and tools in use in modern PC-based computer networks, and learn information and skills that will be helpful as you prepare for the CompTIA A+ & Network+ certification examination.To complete this course, you will need to attend 100 lecture hours and 40 lab hours.

Target Student: The target student is anyone with basic computer user skills who is interested in obtaining a job as an IT professional or PC technician and to increase their knowledge and understanding of networking concepts and skills to prepare for a career in network support or administration.  In addition, this course will help prepare students to achieve a CompTIA A+ Certification and Network+ Certification.

Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Identify the components of standard desktop personal computers.
  • Identify fundamental components and functions of personal computer operating systems.
  • Identify best practices followed by professional personal computer technicians.
  • Install and configure computer components.
  • Install and configure system components.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot peripheral components.
  • Troubleshoot system components.
  • Install and configure operating systems.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot installations of Microsoft Windows.
  • Identify network technologies.
  • Install and manage network connections.
  • Support laptops and portable computing devices.
  • Support printers.
  • Identify personal computer security concepts.
  • Support personal computer security.
  • Identify the basic components of network theory.
  • identify the major network communications methods.
  • Identify network data delivery methods.
  • List and describe network media and hardware components.
  • Identify the major types of network implementations.
  • Identify the components of a TCP/IP network implementation.
  • Identify the major services deployed on TCP/IP networks.
  • Identify the components of a LAN implementation.
  • Identify the components of a WAN implementation.
  • Identify major issues and technologies in network security.
  • Identify the components of a remote network implementation.
  • Identify major issues and technologies in disaster recovery.
  • Identify major data storage technologies and implementations.
  • Identify the primary network operating systems.
  • Explore tools, methods, and techniques used in managing a network.
  • Describe how to troubleshoot network issues.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Personal Computer Components
Lesson 2: Operating System Fundamentals
Lesson 3: PC Technician Professional Best Practices
Lesson 4: Installing and Configuring Peripheral Components
Lesson 5: Installing and Configuring System Components
Lesson 6: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Peripheral Components
Lesson 7: Troubleshooting System Components
Lesson 8: Installing and Configuring Operating Systems
Lesson 9: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Microsoft Windows
Lesson 10: Network Technologies
Lesson 11: Installing and Managing Network Connections
Lesson 12: Supporting Laptops and Portable Computing Devices
Lesson 13: Supporting Printers
Lesson 14: Personal Computer Security Concepts
Lesson 15: Supporting Personal Computer Security
Lesson 16: Network Theory
Lesson 17: Network Communications Methods
Lesson 18: Network Data Delivery
Lesson 19: Network Media and Hardware
Lesson 20: Network Implementations
Lesson 21: Networking with TCP/IP
Lesson 22: TCP/IP Services
Lesson 23: Local Area Network Infrastructure
Lesson 24: WAN Infrastructure
Lesson 25: Network Security
Lesson 26: Remote Networking
Lesson 27: Disaster Recovery
Lesson 28: Network Data Storage
Lesson 29: Network Operating Systems
Lesson 30: Network Management
Lesson 31: Network Troubleshooting

Appendix A: Mapping Course Content to the CompTIA A+ Essentials (2009 Edition) 220-701 Exam Objectives
Appendix B: Mapping Course Content to the CompTIA A+ Practical Application (2009 Edition) 220-702 Exam Objectives
AppendixC: CompTIA A+ Acronyms
Appendix D: A Brief History of Personal Computers
Appendix E: Mapping Network+ Course Content to the CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives
Appendix F: Additional IP Addressing and Subnetting Practice
Appendix D: CompTIA Network+ Acronyms

Prerequisites:

High school Diploma or GED