Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts Nurul I. Sarkar, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Information Science Publishing Hershey • London • Melbourne • Singapore Acquisitions Editor: Michelle Potter Development Editor: Kristin Roth Senior Managing Editor: Amanda Appicello Managing Editor: Jennifer Neidig Copy Editor: Beth Arnesen Typesetter: Jennifer Neidig Cover Design: Lisa Tosheff Printed at: Yurchak Printing Inc. Published in the United States of America by Information Science Publishing (an imprint of Idea Group Inc.) 701 E. Chocolate Avenue Hershey PA 17033 Tel: 717-533-8845 Fax: 717-533-8661 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.idea-group.com and in the United Kingdom by Information Science Publishing (an imprint of Idea Group Inc.) 3 Henrietta Street Covent Garden London WC2E 8LU Tel: 44 20 7240 0856 Fax: 44 20 7379 0609 Web site: http://www.eurospanonline.com Copyright © 2006 by Idea Group Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without written permission from the publisher. Product or company names used in this book are for identification purposes only. Inclusion of the names of the products or companies does not indicate a claim of ownership by IGI of the trademark or registered trademark. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Tools for teaching computer networking and hardware concepts / Nurul Sarkar, editor. p. cm. Summary: "This book offers concepts of the teaching and learning of computer networking and hardwar eby offering undamental theoretical concepts illustrated with the use of interactive practical exercises"--Provided by publisher. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-59140-735-4 (h/c) -- ISBN 1-59140-736-2 (s/c) -- ISBN 1-59140-737-0 (ebook) 1. Computer networks--Study and teaching. 2. Computer input-output equipment--Study and teaching. I. Sarkar, Nurul. TK5105.5.T66 2006 004.6071--dc22 2005027411 British Cataloguing in Publication Data A Cataloguing in Publication record for this book is available from the British Library. All work contributed to this book is new, previously-unpublished material. The views expressed in this book are those of the authors, but not necessarily of the publisher. Dedication To my wife, Laila A. Sarkar Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts Table of Contents Foreword ........................................................................................................ viii Preface .............................................................................................................. ix Section I: Introduction Chapter I. Introduction to Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts ........................................................................................................... 1 Nurul I. Sarkar, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Section II: Teaching and Learning Computer Networking Chapter II. WebLan-Designer: A Web-Based Tool to Enhance Teaching and Learning Wired and Wireless LAN Design ..................... 21 Nurul I. Sarkar, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Krassie Petrova, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Chapter III. INetwork: An Interactive Learning Tool for Communication Networks ............................................................................ 39 K. Sandrasegaran, The University of Technology Sydney, Australia M. Trieu, The University of Technology Sydney, Australia Chapter IV. Effectively Using a Network Simulation Tool to Enhance Students’ Understanding of Computer Networking Concepts .............. 62 Cecil Goldstein, Queensland University of Technology, Australia Karen Stark, Queensland University of Technology, Australia Susanna Leisten, Queensland University of Technology, Australia Alan Tickle, Queensland University of Technology, Australia Chapter V. Teaching Protocols through Animation ................................. 86 Kenneth J. Turner, University of Stirling, UK Chapter VI. Enhancing Student Understanding of Packet-Forwarding Theories and Concepts with Low-Cost Laboratory Activities ............. 101 Anthony P. Kadi, The University of Technology Sydney, Australia Chapter VII. Ethereal: A Tool for Making the Abstract Protocol a Concrete Reality .......................................................................................... 119 David Bremer, Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand Section III: Wireless Networking and Information Security Chapter VIII. Enhancing Teaching and Learning Wireless Communication Networks Using Wireless Projects.............................. 135 Trevor Craig, Wollongong College Auckland, New Zealand Nurul I. Sarkar, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Chapter IX. Teaching and Learning Wi-Fi Networking Fundamentals Using Limited Resources ................................................. 154 Wilson Siringoringo, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Nurul I. Sarkar, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Chapter X. Information Security Risk Analysis: A Pedagogic Model Based on a Teaching Hospital ...................................................... 179 Sanjay Goel, University at Albany, SUNY, and NYS Center for Information Forensics and Assurance, USA Damira Pon, University at Albany, SUNY, and NYS Center for Information Forensics and Assurance, USA Section IV: Teaching and Learning Computer Hardware Chapter XI. A Practical Introduction to Input and Output Ports......... 201 David L. Tarnoff, East Tennessee State University, USA Chapter XII. Enhancing Teaching and Learning Computer Hardware Fundamentals Using PIC-Based Projects ............................. 229 Nurul I. Sarkar, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Trevor Craig, Wollongong College Auckland, New Zealand Chapter XIII. Assistant Tool for Instructors Teaching Computer Hardware with the PBL Theory ................................................................ 249 Maiga Chang, National Science and Technology Program for e-Learning, Taiwan Kun-Fa Cheng, Chih-Ping Senior High School, Taiwan Alex Chang, Yuan-Ze University, Taiwan Ming-Wei Chen, Chih-Ping Senior High School, Taiwan Chapter XIV. A Simulator for High-Performance Processors ............. 267 John Morris, University of Auckland, New Zealand Chapter XV. A Remotely Accessible Embedded Systems Laboratory .................................................................................................... 284 Steve Murray, The University of Technology Sydney, Australia Vladimir Lasky, The University of Technology Sydney, Australia Chapter XVI. LOGIC-Minimiser: A Software Tool to Enhance Teaching and Learning Minimization of Boolean Expressions............ 303 Nurul I. Sarkar, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Khaleel I. Petrus, University of Southern Queensland, Australia Section V: Data Communication Protocols and Learning Tools Chapter XVII. A Practical Introduction to Serial Protocols ................. 319 David L. Tarnoff, East Tennessee State University, USA Chapter XVIII. VMware as a Practical Learning Tool .......................... 338 Eduardo Correia, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, New Zealand Ricky Watson, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, New Zealand Appendix Section ......................................................................................... 355 Glossary......................................................................................................... 359 About the Authors ....................................................................................... 375 Index.............................................................................................................. 383 viii Foreword Computer networking and hardware concepts have come alive! With Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts, the teaching and learning of computer networking and hardware are made more interesting and applied. Fundamental theoretical concepts are illustrated with the use of inter- active practical exercises. Each chapter presents learning objectives, figures and illustrations, real-world examples as well as review questions, all of which provides teachers and stu- dents with a resource to enhance learning. This book is somewhat unique in that it brings together experiences from aca- demics in countries such as Scotland, Taiwan, the United States of America, Australia, and New Zealand. In sharing their use of online tools and flexible learning practices, I hope that you will find this book a useful resource in the teaching and learning of computer networking and hardware essentials. Dr. Felix B. Tan Professor of Information Systems and Head School of Computer and Information Sciences Auckland University of Technology New Zealand ix Preface Because of the high demand for networking and hardware skills in commerce and in industry worldwide, computer networking and hardware courses are becoming increasingly popular in universities, polytechnic institutions, postsecondary colleges, and private training institutions around the globe. De- spite this, it is often difficult to motivate students to learn computer networking and hardware concepts because students appear to find the subject technical and rather dry and boring. We strongly believe, as do many others, that students learn computer networking and hardware fundamentals better and feel more engaged with their courses if they are given interactive