Unit 5: Week 4: Install and Configure a SOHO Network - North Carolina Business Committee for Education

Essential Questions

What’s the best way to configure a network?
How do different settings and user profiles influence my network design?

Big Ideas

Most networks have similar components, including modems, routers, and devices, but networks have to be designed to meet the specific needs of the users it serves. Some networks may be relatively open to users for casual use such as checking email and surfing the Web. Others may need heightened security or greater bandwidth to support bandwidth-hogging activities like supporting multiple users in video conferencing or multiplayer games. The decisions a network administrator makes to design and configure a network are influenced by how it will be used and by whom.

Connection to Student Lives

It’s finally time for you to design and configure your network! You’ve been using different networks most of your life and during this module you’ve been working through the nitty-gritty details of how they work. Now you get to make the decisions about how to set up a network. You may want to consider networks for different types of users and how their needs may influence your decisions. Or you may want to look at different settings for networks, like a secure LAN for the Help Desk versus a more open network in a cafeteria or commons space where students meet less formally. How might these or other settings impact your network design?

Framing Problem

Given a user scenario, design and configure a wireless network that best meets the needs of the users and justify your decisions.

Cornerstone Assessment

Install and configure a SOHO network, including configuring a DSL or cable modem and configuring or adjusting wireless settings. See Activity 9-4: Installing and Configuring SOHO Networks in The Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 & Core 2 Instructor Guide and its associated links to emulators for detailed steps for one scenario for completing the task. Consider beginning by having the students create at least a rough site diagram that identifies all devices and justify placement of access points, perhaps by completing a site survey. They should also configure or adjust firewall settings, including setting up a personal firewall on a (Windows) device. If possible, connect at least one IoT device to the network.

DPI Standards

NCCTE.2020.II21.02.02 – Compare common networking hardware devices.
NCCTE.2020.II21.02.03 – Install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO network.
NCCTE.2020.II21.02.04 – Compare wireless networking protocols.
NCCTE.2020.II22.01.05 – Use Microsoft operating system features and tools.
NCCTE.2020.II22.01.06 – Use Microsoft Windows control panel utilities.
NCCTE.2020.II22.01.08 – Configure Microsoft Windows networking on a client or desktop.
NCCTE.2020.II22.02.03 – Compare wireless security protocols and authentication methods.
NCCTE.2020.II22.02.10 – Configure security on SOHO wireless and wired networks.

A+ Standards

Mục Lục

TOPIC 9B: Install and Configure SOHO Networks

1001-2.3 Given a scenario, install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO network.

1002-2.10 Given a scenario, configure security on SOHO wireless and wired networks.

1002-2.3 Compare and contrast wireless security protocols and authentication methods.

TOPIC 9C: Configure SOHO Network Security

1001-2.2 Compare and contrast common networking hardware devices.

1001-2.3 Given a scenario, install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO network.

1002-1.5 Given a scenario, use Microsoft operating system features and tools.

1002-1.6 Given a scenario, use Microsoft Windows Control Panel utilities.

1002-1.8 Given a scenario, configure Microsoft Windows networking on a client/desktop.

1002-2.10 Given a scenario, configure security on SOHO wireless and wired networks.

TOPIC 9F: Install and Configure IoT Devices

1001-2.3 Given a scenario, install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO network.

1001-2.4 Compare and contrast wireless networking protocols.

Knowledge

The needs and complexities of SOHO wired and wireless networks, regardless of their size
The functions of the separate device types bundled within a DSL/cable modem: Modem, Router, Switch, Access point
How to configure a DSL or cable modem for a SOHO network, including configuring Internet access and wireless settings
How to create a strong password and/or passphrase
How to use Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) for supported devices
The strengths and weaknesses of Wi-Fi security protocols: WEP, WPA, WPA2
Methods for authenticating users on a Wi-Fi network, and which authentication is appropriate for different security protocols
How to generate an SSID that is recognizable but does not reveal personal or confidential information
How to conduct a firmware and driver update for an Internet appliance
How different types of data transfer can impact Quality of Service and how QoS can be adjusted for certain types of traffic
Types of network and host firewalls and the decision points for using one or more of them
What it means to use a DMZ on an enterprise network
How and why the Universal Plug-and-Play framework might be used or NOT used
The main types of devices and networking standards for a smart hub
Basic procedures for setting up a smart hub and connecting devices to it
Examples of IoT devices
Types of IoT networking technologies and situations in which they might be used, considering devices that they are compatible with

Skills

Connect and configure a DSL or cable modem to a provider network
Configure Internet access
Configure and adjust wireless settings, and alternately, use a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), if available
Review DHCP and IP Address configuration and explain why you may not want to configure them manually
Use, or explain, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) to connect a device to a network wirelessly
Complete a site survey to determine and justify the antenna and access point placement

Adjust firewall settings and justify your decisions for doing so
Configure and adjust a personal (Windows) firewall on a device
Optional: Configure a browser with appropriate settings and plug-ins

Configure IoT devices to a network

Vocabulary

Install and Configure SOHO Networks

SOHO (Small Office Home Office) Network

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

Radio Power Levels

War Driving
Evil Twin Attacks

Wi-Fi Security Protocols

Encryption
- Cipher
- Key
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
- Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
WPA2
- Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

Wi-Fi Authentication

Personal Authentication Mode
- Pre-Shared Key (PSK)
Enterprise Authentication Mode
- Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS)

SOHO Security Issues

Service Set ID (SSID)
Firmware

Quality of Service (QoS)

Latency
Jitter

See also

IP Addressing, NIC Configuration, End-user Device Configuration (covered previously in module 5-3)
IoT Device Configuration, Firewall Settings (covered later in this module)

Configure SOHO Network Security

Firewall

Network Firewall
Host Firewall
Packet Filtering Firewall
Access control List (ACL)
Host (or Software or Personal) Firewall
Whitelists and Blacklists

Network Address Translation (NAT)

Network Address Port Translation (NAPT) (also called NAT overloading or Port Address Translation (PAT))
Port Forwarding or Port Mapping
Port Triggering

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

Universal Plug-and-Play (UPnP)

Install and Configure IoT Devices

Internet of Things (IoT) and examples of IoT devices

Machine to Machine (M2M) Communication

IoT Wireless and Networking Technologies

Bluetooth
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Z-Wave
Zigbee
Radio Frequency ID (RFID)
Near Field Communications (NFC)

IoT Device Configuration

Endpoint Device and some examples
Smartphone Control
Smart Hub and Smart Speaker Control

Digital Assistant or Virtual Assistant

Weekly Map

Monday

Review problem: Install and Configure SOHO Networks

Discussion Activity 9-3

Team meetings to review and confirm project plan and goals

Tuesday

Small group and independent exploration of resources: Activity 9-4: Installing and Configuring SOHO Networks

Contribute to team project

Wednesday

Hands-on exploration: Review Activity 9-4

If time allows: Activity 9-5: Installing and Configuring SOHO Networks

Team progress check with supervisor (using project plan)

Thursday

Hands-on exploration: Activity 9-5

Install and Configure IoT Devices and Activity 9-9

Contribute to team project

Friday

Teams share networks and artifacts with others

Online post-assessment

Lesson Ideas

With the focus of the week being designing and configuring a network–either simulated or actual–much of the week should be set aside for this activity. Students may draw upon information from the previous topics in the module. Students can complete the activity independently using an emulator or may want to work in teams if enough hardware, cabling, and devices are available for their use. The size of the teams, perhaps even including the whole class, may be dependent upon available supplies. Experienced student teams may be able to complete both activities.

Firewalls and browser configurations are not Core 1 objectives but can be addressed if students have some experience in network configuration or maintenance already. Students should spend some time reviewing concepts related to network security as well as exploring types of networking for IoT devices and connecting at least one IoT device to their network, or perhaps a network from another team.