Discussion Board

The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of students and the instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion.

At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts from students. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Friday of each week. Two additional responses are required after Friday of each week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class attendance and participation.
The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.

Todd, a junior network administrator, is given the task of providing feedback on routing. Specifically, he will discuss the routed, nonroutable, and routing protocols. He should also address routing congestion. Todd knows that nonroutable protocols cannot go across local area network (LAN) boundaries and that routed ones can transport data across networks. Todd needs help, however, to make a complete feedback report.

Post an answer to the following questions, and support your answers with academic or real information technology (IT) examples to accentuate your point:

• Do you think the term routing congestion can be replaced by the term network congestion? Why?

• In your opinion, what is the purpose of nonroutable protocols? Is there a legitimate reason for having nonroutable protocols? Do you think they can be replaced with another type of protocol or innovative system?

• Be sure to explain differences between routed, nonroutable, and routing protocols. Provide examples.