Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 8. Partial header data for three messages
From george.edu to thomas.gov
Dest
MAC
Send
MAC
MAC
CRC
Dest IP
Send IP
Time
to live
Dest
port
Send
Port
TCP
CRC
Sequence
M3
M1
10.4.2.3
10.4.2.1
10
1
From george.edu to john.org
Dest
MAC
Send
MAC
MAC
CRC
Dest IP
Send IP
Time
to live
Dest
port
Send
Port
TCP
CRC
Sequence
M4
M1
10.4.5.6
10.4.2.1
10
1
M6
M4
10.4.5.6
10.4.2.1
9
1
From george.edu to martha.edu
Dest
MAC
Send
MAC
MAC
CRC
Dest IP
Send IP
Time
to live
Dest
port
Send
Port
TCP
CRC
Sequence
M4
M1
10.7.8.9
10.4.2.1
10
1
M7
M4
10.7.8.9
10.4.2.1
9
1
M9
M7
10.7.8.9
10.4.2.1
8
1
The instructor can notionally degrade the network by causing a communications line
(MAC4-MAC7) to fail or become jammed, thereby forcing traffic to be routed through
10.10.0.0. The class might also be asked to construct the routing table for router 10.10.0.0.
DISCUSSION
The informal anecdotal evidence is, in the author's opinion, strong enough to continue
using and improving the simulation. Students have offered a number of unsolicited comments
on the simulation, all positive so far. Finally, an additional, somewhat hidden, benefit accrues
to the instructor. By designing and running the simulation, the instructor develops a much
deeper understanding of the underlying technology; at least that has been my experience.
REFERENCES
Butterfield, J., & Pendegraft, N. (1996). Gaming techniques to improve the team-formation
process.
Team Performance Management, 2
(4), 11-20.
Campbell, R. A. (1996). Introducing computer concepts by simulating a simple computer.
SIGCSE Bulletin, 28
(3).
Corbeil, P., Laveault, D., & Saint-Germain, M. (1989).
Games and Simulation Activities, Tools
for International Developmental Education
. Quebec: Canadian International Devel-
opmental Agency.
Greenblat, C. S. (1988).
Designing
Games and Simulations
. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Hunt, C. (1998).
TCP/IP Network Administration
. Sebastopol: O'Reilly.
Pendegraft, N., & Watson, W. (1990). Systems analysis, interviewing, and the improv.
Computer Science Education 1
(3).
