High school and college students studying computing and information technology are often asked to complete class projects as part of their coursework. Here are some ideas for a student who needs to create a school project involving computer networks.
Network security projects
Student projects that test the level of security of a computer network configuration or demonstrate ways in which security can be breached are timely and important projects:
- Students can design a project that runs network sniffers to capture the traffic sent over a network connection and identify all the different network protocols it is using.
- You can create a project that measures the effects of antivirus software on a computer’s processor utilization and performance, with or without a look at the effectiveness of antivirus software in preventing network worms, Trojan horses, and viruses.
- Students who are software developers can structure a project around building a network firewall application.
Projects involving emerging Internet and networking technologies
Experimenting with technologies that are currently trending in the industry can be a great way to learn about their benefits and limitations in the real world. For example, a project might investigate what it takes for a family to retrofit their existing appliances, lighting, or security system to function as Internet of Things (IOT) gadgets, and what interesting uses those setups might have.
Network design and configuration projects
The experience of setting up a small network teaches a lot about basic networking technologies. Beginner-level projects include bringing together different types of equipment and evaluating the configuration settings each offers and how easy or difficult it is to get certain types of connections to work.
IT student projects may include planning for large computer networks, such as those used by schools, businesses, Internet service providers, and data centers. Network capacity planning includes estimating equipment costs, design decisions, and consideration of software and services that the network can support. A project may also include studying the design of existing networks – such as those in a school – and identifying ways to improve them.
Network performance studies
Students can evaluate the performance characteristics of local networks and Internet connections under different conditions. Examples include
- A project could measure the actual data transfer speeds and latency of real network applications, along with the effects of network traffic congestion on the applications.
- Measuring the effects of physical obstructions or wireless interference sources such as microwave ovens on active network connections is an informative project.
- A project might compare performance differences between different types of network hardware, such as routers from different manufacturers, or operating systems, such as between Windows and Linux.
- Compare and contrast the performance of software applications such as web servers.
- For software developers, they could test their skills by modifying open source software applications to use parallel programming techniques.
For younger students
Elementary and middle school students can start preparing for these types of projects by learning to code. Parents can check out some free programming languages and tools to help them get started.
