One of the major requirements for this course is a project on some aspect of computer networks. The project may be either a practical or a term paper. Listed below are some of the topics for the project. If you are taking this course for graduate credit, you will need to do an additional term paper. For the practical projects, you will be expected to give a brief presentation to the class on your project. If you choose a term paper to write, you will need to turn in a copy to me for posting on the Internet and also make a brief presentation to the class. Some of the larger projects may be done in small groups, but I expect each participant to do a significant amount of the work.

Please see me about your selection of a project or e-mail me by Wednesday, March 19. I will be available for help with this projects.

1) Develop a multimedia presentation of the OSI model. This would include computerized "flipcharts" that would illustrate what happens to a packet as it moves down the OSI model. The presentation should be hyperlinked.

2) Do a network analysis and design for LVTI complete with recommendations.

3) Assign Legion Park Elementary School in writing an educational grant for network equipment that will provide Internet connectivity. I have grant proposal documents from CISCO and ASSANTE that can be used.

4) Same as #2 for another elementary school of your choice.

5) Same as #2 but for all elementary schools in one of the two districts.

6) Serial Line Interface Protocol (SLIP) is a protocol which will allow a user to dial into a computer and access the "full" Internet facilities. The server running SLIP must be a UNIX computer but the clients can be PCs. I would like to have SLIP installed on POGO. SLIP won't be able to be completely installed until the DNS from 1) is completed. There is a lot of information about SLIP including most of the necessary software available on Internet. This project will require that a modem be installed on the HP. This project needs to be completed by the end of February.

7) Once POGO is completely up on the net, I would like to see either a Gopher server or Mosaic server or both set up on POGO. The Mosaic server would require someone with some artistic talent. Software and information for both servers is available on Internet.

8) Other project that we can agree on

The paper should be a significant research of an important topic in computer networks. It should be 10-20 pages and involve research from the Internet as well as from books and periodicals.

1) Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - this is a very important protocol and the basis of the Internet

2) Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

3) Frame Relay System - This is the system that will soon be installed in Las Vegas and will allow many of the schools in the area to access the Internet via NMHU.

4) Electronic Data Interchage (EDI) - this is an important protocol for the transmission of data in the business world.

5) Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) - network protocol that allows fast multimedia data transfer

6) A comprehensive comparison of NT, Novell and Unix.

7) A comprehensive evaluation of at least two network management tools. (e.g. OpenView)

8) Other approved topics.