In this one year program, students develop skills in design, configuration, and maintenance of PC/laptop/networking hardware, software, peripherals, cabling, and small-office/home-office (SOHO) network design. The course covers industry standards for network protocols, topologies, design, security, and protection. An introduction to converged networking (voice, video, and data) is also provided. Eligible students may continue to second-year, with a focus on the design, configuration, and maintenance of switches and routers, LANs and VLANs. Specifically students configure and troubleshoot LANs, WANs — including PPP, VLSM, and the configuration and implementation of access control lists, and other security mechanisms. A study of advanced wireless business network technology is included.

This program is offered as Honors credit with the expectation that students complete four projects throughout the year that extend beyond the standard curriculum. These projects are built into the program and are a great opportunity for students to expand their knowledge of the topics covered in class.