This section is a log of our activity relating to the development of the Advanced Diploma.

If this course is of interest you should check here for progress updates.

BETA enrolment (former students only, discounted) – July 2010

Estimated commercial enrolment – September 2010

July 2010 - BETA enrolment commences, any students who have completed the Level 2 course should contact us/their tutor for more information about the discounted programme. 

April 2010 – Diploma split into two shorter courses, Network Design & Network Admin

August 2009 – Decision taken to adapt Level 2 program for the online interface, Diploma project put on hold until mid-Nov 2009

June 2009 – Experiments with custom Linux OS for NetBOX, aimed at reducing end user costs.

June 2009 – Practical tasks updated to reflect changes in technology

March 2009 – Completion of Online Interface, modules 1-4 completed

Dec 2008 – Experiments with ‘NetBOX’.  A single computer designed to simulate several network hosts

Sept 2008 – Practical exercises adapted to reflect changes in technology

May 2008 – Decision taken to abandon CD format for an online learning interface

Feb 2008 – Began creating ‘Video Classrooms’

Jan 2008 – Began creating practical paths and assessment portfolio ideas

Nov 2007 – Syllabus approved by Edexcel

Course content development

Below is an overview of the current completed course content:

 

Course 01 – Network Design

Network Fundamentals

Video – Network Definitions

Video – Types of Computer Network

Video – Network Connections

Guide – Network Communication

Windows Networking

Practical – Creating a simple network

Practical – File Sharing

Practical – Printer Sharing

Network Topology

Videos – Physical Topologies

Videos – Logical Topologies

Guide – Hybrids & Modern Topologies

Protocols & Internet

Practical – Protocol Basics

Practical – Internet Basics

Practical – Email Basics

Practical – Router Basics

Wired Networks

Video – Twisted Pair

Practical - Creating Twisted Pair Cables

Video – Coaxial

Video – Fibre Optic

Video – USB & Firewire

Network Devices

Videos – Network Adapters

Video – Hubs

Video – Switch

Video – Bridge

Video – AP

Video – Segmentation

Video – Routers & Gateways

Video – Layered Communication

Video – Firewalls & Proxy Servers

Guide – OSI Model

Wired Network Standards

Video – Ethernet

Video – Token Ring

Guide – Ethernet Standards

Wireless Networks

Video – Infrared

Video – Radio Frequency 

Video – Wireless Architecture

Video – Wireless Standards

Video – Wireless Security

Video – Bluetooth

Practical – Joining a Wireless Network

Practical – Creating Ad-Hoc connections

Course 02 – Network Admin

TCP/IP

Video – IPv4 Addresses

Practical – IP Addresses

Practical – Subnetting

Practical – Calculating Subnets

Practical – IPv6

Guide – Routing

Practical – HTTP & FTP (Apache Webserver)

Practical – SMTP, POP3 and IMAP4

Practical – ARP

IP Services

Practical – Name Resolution

Practical – DHCP server config

Practical – Network Address Translation

Practical – Telnet

Practical – Remote Desktop

Practical – Terminal Services

Network Operating Systems

Guide – Network Operating Systems

Guide – Microsoft Windows

Guide – UNIX

Guide – Linux

Practical – Linux Server Intro

Practical – Linux File Manipulation

Practical – Linux File Re-direction

Practical – Linux Help and Manuals

Practical – Linux File Security

Practical – Linux Jobs and Processes

Practical – Linux More Tools

Practical – Linux User Management 

Practical – Linux Software Management 

Practical – Linux Aliases

Guide – NetWare

Practical – Installing the Netware Client

Guide – Mac OS

Guide – Clients and Servers

Practical – SMB Windows and Linux

Practical – Linux File Server

Guide – Directory Services

Practical – Windows User Management

Practical – Workgroup Networking

Practical – Local Security Policies

Guide – Domains vs Workgroups

Practical – Active Directory Installation

Practical – Active Directory Sharing

Practical – Active Directory Group Policy

Practical – Active Directory Roaming Profiles

Guide – LDAP

Work in progress

 

Wide Area Networks and Network Troubleshooting