Course-specific Technical Requirements

Hardware

This course requires one computer for each student, one computer for the instructor, and one computer to function as a classroom server. Each computer will need:

• 1.4 gigahertz (GHz) (single 64–bit) processor or 1.3 GHz (dual core) processor or above.
• 4 GB of RAM or greater.
• 320 GB of hard disk or larger.
• Super VGA (SVGA) or higher resolution monitor capable of a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels, at least 256-color display, and a video adapter with at least 64 MB of memory.
• A mouse or other pointing device.
• A CD/DVD-ROM drive.
• Network adapter and cabling connecting each classroom computer.
• Network interface card and network cabling.
• A projection system for the instructor.
• Internet access.
• To support the activities in Lesson 3, the instructor should provide as many physical examples of different types of network media and connectors as possible.
• For the data backup activity in Appendix D, the instructor needs to provide an alternative backup location (such as a removable USB drive or a folder on the hard disk).
• To support the activities in Lessons 3 and 15, the instructor should provide as many physical examples of hardware tools as possible.
• For the optional cable assembly activity in Lesson 15, the instructor will need to provide students with raw cable, the appropriate connectors, the appropriate crimping tool, a cable tester, and an optional eye loupe.

Software

This course was developed and tested on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2. During development, Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 was released. The activities in the course were not tested with the service pack, so if you choose to install it, keying activities may vary.Windows Server 2008 requires activation unless you have a volume-licensing agreement. There is a grace period for activation. If the duration of your class will exceed the activation grace period (for example, if you are teaching the class over the course of an academic semester), you must activate the installations at some point before the grace period expires. Otherwise, those operating systems will stop working before the class ends.

• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Standard Edition, with sufficient licenses.
• The Microsoft Network Monitor should be installed on the Instructor and Student machines. It is available at www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=983b941d-06cb-4658-b7f6-3088333d062f&displaylang=en. Copy the NM34_x64.exe file into the Tools folder that is created during the extraction of the course data files.
• Third-party security tool: SuperScan. It is available at www.mcafee.com/us/downloads/free-tools/superscan.aspx. Copy the file into the Tools folder that is created during the extraction of the course data files.