文章基本信息

标题：WIDE AREA NETWORKS: A COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES FOR HANDS-ON LABS
本地全文：下载
作者：Rami Khasawneh ; Rad Alrifai ; Hani Abusalem 等
期刊名称：Issues in Information Systems
印刷版ISSN：1529-7314
出版年度：2003
卷号：4
页码：191-197
出版社：International Association for Computer Information Systems
摘要：Teaching a course in the area of computer networks is challenging. Teaching a course in Wide Area Networks is even more challenging. A Wide Area network (WAN) is a network that provides services to a very large geographic area. A WAN uses devices, systems and media that may not be used in a Local Area Network. The main challenge in teaching a course in WAN is getting across many of the WAN concepts to the students. We have learned from teaching other computer courses such as introduction to programming, that using hands-on labs has been very effective in providing better learning experience for the students and enabling them to understand these concepts more effectively. Providing hands-on labs in a WAN course will also enhance the students learning experience. There are two main approaches in providing a hands- on experience to the students. The first approach, implementing a Wide Area Network in a lab designated for the WAN class. This lab will include a number of routers, switches and gateways. The second approach, using simulation software that simulates a Wide Area Network. The simulation software simulates a WAN that includes a number of routers, switches and gateways. This paper provides a comparative analysis for these two approaches and makes recommendations with respect to these approaches.
关键词：Wide Area Networks; Network Simulation; Hands-on Labs; routers