Network Support Services II Lab

Course Description

EEV0571L — Network Support Services II Lab is the laboratory companion course to EEV0571 — Network Support Services II, the second course in the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Network Support Services Career Certificate (CC) / Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) program. As a PSAV laboratory course, it carries 0 college credits, with 60 clock hours as the unit of measurement; successful completion is documented on the student's official PSAV transcript.

The lab extends the hands-on competencies developed in EEV0570L (Network Support Services I Lab) into the more advanced networking topics introduced in the EEV0571 lecture: networking protocols and standards, advanced LAN/WAN concepts, OSI-model implementation, Ethernet and legacy Token Ring topologies, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), TCP/IP addressing in production environments, dynamic routing protocols, and the network administrator's role and function. Particular emphasis is placed on decision-making and problem-solving in realistic networking scenarios, including the application of science, mathematics, communications, and analytical reasoning to solve networking problems. Students perform substantial hands-on configuration and troubleshooting work using real Cisco (or equivalent) routers and switches, building progressively more complex multi-router and multi-switch topologies.

The course continues within the FLDOE Network Support Services framework (CIP 0511090102), the typically 1,050-clock-hour PSAV program structured into seven Occupational Completion Points. EEV0571 + EEV0571L sit within the network-administration progression of this program at institutions using the EEV course-prefix convention, notably South Florida State College, where the original Network Support Services I-IV sequence (EEV0570 → EEV0571 → EEV0572 → EEV0573) was established alongside Cisco Networking Academy curriculum. Because the SFSC Network Support Services CC program operates as a Cisco Networking Academy partner, the EEV0571 + EEV0571L block aligns substantially with the Cisco CCNA Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials curriculum (formerly CCNA 2). Students are also progressing toward the CompTIA Network+ industry certification.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Apply continued laboratory and electrical safety practices, including OSHA general industry standards (29 CFR 1910), ESD protection, and recognition of low-voltage hazards in networking equipment.
• Configure Cisco IOS or equivalent network device operating systems through console connections, including basic device hostname, banner, password, SSH, and management IP address configuration.
• Configure VLANs (Virtual LANs) on Layer 2 switches, including VLAN creation, port assignment, trunk configuration (IEEE 802.1Q), and VLAN troubleshooting using show vlan and related commands.
• Configure and verify inter-VLAN routing using router-on-a-stick, Layer 3 switching, or separate-router methods.
• Configure static routing on routers, including default routes, fully specified static routes, and floating static routes; verify routing table entries using show ip route.
• Configure and verify dynamic routing protocols, particularly RIPv2, OSPF (single area), and EIGRP, in laboratory topology exercises; observe convergence behavior and protocol-specific characteristics.
• Apply advanced TCP/IP addressing, including subnetting, supernetting (route summarization), Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM), and basic IPv6 address configuration.
• Configure Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) on Layer 2 switched networks, observe loop-prevention behavior, and identify root bridge selection; recognize Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) variations.
• Identify and describe legacy Token Ring topology and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) operation, recognizing these as historical context that informed the development of modern Ethernet and fiber-based network architectures.
• Configure basic Access Control Lists (ACLs) on Cisco routers to filter network traffic, including standard and extended ACLs.
• Apply systematic network troubleshooting methodology to multi-device topologies, including signal-tracing through Layer 1-3 problems, the use of show and debug commands, and the recognition of common configuration errors.
• Read and interpret network diagrams, addressing tables, and configuration documentation for multi-device network topologies typical of small business and enterprise edge environments.
• Demonstrate the network administrator's role and function through realistic lab scenarios, including documentation of configurations, change-management practices, and basic security hardening.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis and the time available within the course, students may also:

• Continue preparation for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) credential through Cisco Networking Academy curriculum.
• Continue preparation for the CompTIA Network+ industry certification.
• Configure EtherChannel link aggregation (LACP, PAgP) for redundant inter-switch connections.
• Configure DHCP server and DHCP relay functions on Cisco routers and switches.
• Configure Network Address Translation (NAT) and Port Address Translation (PAT) for small-business edge networks.
• Implement basic WLAN (Wireless LAN) configuration using Cisco wireless access points or controllers.
• Apply IPv6 dynamic routing, particularly OSPFv3.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Networking Protocols and Standards Review — IEEE 802 series (802.3 Ethernet, 802.1Q VLAN, 802.1D STP, 802.11 wireless), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) RFC role, vendor implementations and interoperability.
• Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals — privileged and global configuration modes, common show and configure commands, console and SSH management, banner and password configuration.
• VLAN Configuration and Trunking — VLAN creation and assignment, IEEE 802.1Q trunking, native VLAN, voice VLAN concepts, VLAN troubleshooting.
• Inter-VLAN Routing — router-on-a-stick using sub-interfaces, Layer 3 switch interfaces (Switched Virtual Interfaces, SVIs), routed ports.
• Static Routing — directly connected routes, static route configuration with next-hop and exit-interface forms, default routes, floating static routes, IPv4 and IPv6 static routes.
• Dynamic Routing Fundamentals — distinction between distance-vector and link-state protocols, administrative distance, metric and route selection, convergence behavior.
• RIP and RIPv2 — distance-vector operation, hop-count metric, classful vs. classless behavior, RIPv2 authentication.
• OSPF Single Area — Hello protocol, neighbor and adjacency formation, link-state database, SPF algorithm introduction, area 0 configuration.
• EIGRP — hybrid (advanced distance-vector) operation, DUAL algorithm overview, EIGRP-specific features, basic configuration.
• Subnetting, Supernetting, and VLSM — efficient address allocation in real network designs, route summarization, contiguous and discontiguous subnet planning.
• IPv6 Addressing — global unicast addresses, link-local addresses, EUI-64 host portion, IPv6 static routing, transition mechanisms (dual stack, tunneling, translation).
• Spanning Tree Protocol — Layer 2 loop prevention, root bridge selection, port roles (root, designated, blocked), RSTP improvements; PortFast and BPDU Guard concepts.
• Legacy Topologies — Token Ring and FDDI — historical context, MSAU operation, ring versus star-wired ring, FDDI dual-counter-rotating ring, transition to Ethernet dominance.
• Access Control Lists (ACLs) — standard ACLs, extended ACLs, named ACLs, ACL placement guidelines, common use cases (filtering, NAT control, route-map matching).
• Network Troubleshooting Methodology — top-down, bottom-up, and divide-and-conquer approaches; documentation review; show and debug command interpretation; common configuration error patterns.
• Network Administrator Roles and Responsibilities — change management, configuration documentation, version control of router configurations, basic security hardening, user-account and password discipline.

Optional Topics

• EtherChannel Link Aggregation — LACP and PAgP, load-balancing modes, common configuration patterns.
• DHCP Server and Relay — Cisco router DHCP server configuration, DHCP relay (helper-address) for cross-subnet DHCP service.
• NAT and PAT — static NAT, dynamic NAT, Port Address Translation for many-to-one address translation; common SOHO and SMB edge configurations.
• Wireless LAN Basics — autonomous and lightweight access points, WLAN controller architecture, basic Cisco WLC or equivalent configuration.
• IPv6 Dynamic Routing — OSPFv3 configuration, EIGRP for IPv6.
• Network Security Hardening — port security, DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, basic AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting).

Resources & Tools

• FLDOE Network Support Services Framework (CIP 0511090102) — the official curriculum framework establishing the seven Occupational Completion Points and standards.
• Cisco Networking Academy CCNA Curriculum — netacad.com curriculum (Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials module) at Cisco Academy member institutions.
• CompTIA Network+ Study Materials — current-version exam objectives and study guides (Mike Meyers, Sybex, Pearson, Professor Messer).
• Cisco Routers and Switches — Cisco 2960/3560 switches and Cisco ISR 1900/2900 routers (or current equivalents); rackmount classroom pods commonly arranged with two routers and two-to-three switches per pod.
• Cisco Packet Tracer — free network simulation software for Cisco Networking Academy students; widely used to supplement physical lab equipment and enable take-home practice.
• GNS3 / EVE-NG — open-source and commercial network emulation platforms supporting Cisco IOS and other vendor images for advanced topology simulation.
• Wireshark — free protocol analyzer used to capture and analyze network traffic, a foundational skill for network troubleshooting.
• Cabling Tools and Test Equipment — RJ-45 crimping tools, 110-punch-down tools, cable testers; multi-function cable certifiers (Fluke DSX, Klein VDV) at well-equipped institutions.
• Console Cables and USB-to-Serial Adapters — for direct console management of Cisco IOS devices.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — safety glasses for cable work, ESD wrist strap when working inside computer chassis.

Career Pathways

EEV0571L advances students through the FLDOE Network Support Services PSAV pathway. Successful completion supports progression into:

• Continued Network Support Services PSAV Program — students continue through subsequent OCPs covering senior network administration, wireless administration, and data communications analysis, totaling approximately 1,050 hours.
• Network Administrator / Junior Network Engineer (SOC 15-1244) — mid-level positions at Florida companies, federal contractors, and managed service providers (MSPs). Florida wages typically range from $50,000 to $75,000 annually at the network administrator level, depending on certifications and experience.
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) — the EEV0571/0571L content directly supports CCNA examination preparation; CCNA-certified network technicians command significant wage premiums in the Florida market.
• Florida Federal Contractor Network Roles — Patrick Space Force Base, MacDill AFB (Tampa), Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Pensacola Naval Air Station, and the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM, MacDill) employ extensive contractor network technician populations through Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, and similar contractors.
• Florida Healthcare and Hospital IT Networks — AdventHealth, Orlando Health, BayCare, Tampa General, Jackson Health, Mayo Clinic Florida, and Moffitt Cancer Center maintain large internal network teams supporting clinical and administrative networks across multiple campus sites.
• Florida Aerospace Industry Networks — SpaceX, Blue Origin, ULA, and the Cape Canaveral / Kennedy Space Center contractor ecosystem; Embraer (Melbourne, Jacksonville).
• Florida Theme Park and Hospitality Networks — Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and the major resort and cruise operators maintain enterprise-scale networks supporting tens of thousands of devices.
• Articulation to A.S./A.A.S. Degrees — clock hours from PSAV Network Support Services programs articulate (subject to institutional agreement) into Network Systems Technology, Computer Information Technology, and Cybersecurity A.S./A.A.S. degrees at Florida public colleges, including Daytona State College's Network Systems Technology A.S. and Eastern Florida State College's Cybersecurity and Network Systems A.S.

Special Information

Program Type and Credit

EEV0571L is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course at 60 contact hours (matching the SFSC EEV0571 lecture pattern; lengths may vary at other institutions). PSAV courses do not carry college credit hours; credits=0 reflects this. The companion lecture course EEV0571 carries 60 contact hours, for a combined 120-hour Network Support Services II lecture-and-lab block.

Prerequisite Sequence

Students should have successfully completed EEV0570 (Network Support Services I) and EEV0570L (Network Support Services I Lab) before enrolling. The course assumes mastery of basic IP addressing and subnetting, OSI model fundamentals, basic switch and router familiarity, and command-line networking utilities.

FLDOE Framework Alignment

This course is aligned to the FLDOE Network Support Services curriculum framework (CIP 0511090102), the typically 1,050-hour PSAV program structured into seven Occupational Completion Points. Course title, hour count, and exact content coverage may vary by institution; students should verify with the awarding institution's catalog.

Industry Certifications

The course content prepares students for several industry credentials commonly recognized by Florida and national IT employers:

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) — the EEV0571/0571L content most directly aligns with the CCNA examination, particularly the Switching/Routing/Wireless Essentials and Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation modules of the Cisco Networking Academy CCNA curriculum.
• CompTIA Network+ — content also aligns with the routing and switching domain of the Network+ examination.
• Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking — entry-level Cisco credential that maps closely to the foundational portions of EEV0570L/0571L.
• Microsoft and CompTIA Server-Related Credentials — for students continuing into server-side network administration coursework.

Articulation and Transfer

As a PSAV clock-hour course, EEV0571L does not automatically transfer between institutions as college credit. Articulation agreements at Florida public colleges typically permit PSAV Network Support Services completion to apply toward Network Systems Technology, Computer Information Technology, and Cybersecurity A.S./A.A.S. degree programs.

Military Credit Equivalency

Students with prior military training in information technology, communications, signal, or related Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) classifications may be eligible for military credit equivalency awards toward this course. Military experience involving routing protocol configuration (RIP, OSPF, EIGRP), VLAN configuration, multi-router and multi-switch network administration, or formal Cisco-equipment training maps particularly closely to EEV0571L content. Particularly relevant MOS classifications include:

• U.S. Army 25B (Information Technology Specialist), 25N (Nodal Network Systems Operator-Maintainer), 25Q (Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator-Maintainer), 25S (Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer)
• U.S. Navy IT (Information Systems Technician) and CTN (Cryptologic Technician — Networks)
• U.S. Air Force 3D0X2 (Cyber Systems Operations) and 3D1X2 (Cyber Transport Systems) — both have substantial routing and switching content
• U.S. Marine Corps 0651 (Cyber Network Operator), 0671 (Data Systems Administrator)
• U.S. Coast Guard IT (Information Systems Technician)
• U.S. Space Force 5C0X1 (Cyberspace Operations)

Military service members who have completed Cisco Academy or DoD-equivalent network administration training (including the Information Technology Specialist Course at Fort Eisenhower / formerly Fort Gordon, the Navy CYBER schoolhouse at Pensacola, and the Air Force cyber transport pipeline at Keesler AFB) typically have substantial overlap with EEV0571L content. Documentation through the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript is the basis for evaluation. Daytona State College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, and the Miami-Dade County technical colleges maintain dedicated military-credit equivalency processes for IT PSAV programs.