Last Friday, august 6th, another program of the wireless 108 course came to an end. The course took place at our network academy in TCV, Dharamsala. The course was attended by 14 students mainly hailing from the Vocational Training Center in selakui.

 

As in previous times when the course was given, we covered the basics of computers (hardware and software) and networks (wired and wireless) with an aim to enable participants to carry out basic PC troubleshooting, create a simple server-based network and connect computers to it via wired and wireless interfaces. 

What started in 2007 as a framework for providing students with easy access to basic knowledge in computers and networking has evolved to a wider concept.

The month long course was divided into four sessions each spread over a week. At first the students were taught about basic hardware and application software packages, followed by basics of both wired and wireless networks. The third week was dedicated to advanced networks focusing mainly on how to setup a wireless network and configuring routers for the same and finally ending it with a weeklong session on network planning and troubleshooting exercises.

 

In addition to indoor sessions there were also outdoor activities. The students were divided into groups and sent to various locations on surrounding hilltops, once there they were asked to setup a network linking all locations and back to the academy. The activity was not just all work but the scenery from the locations was a visual treat as well.

 

The last session ended with Yonten (The main instructor) giving the students a troubleshooting problem to set up a wireless network after dividing them into teams of 3 each. With a little help from Choesang (Deployment Team) the students took on the task and immediately began exchanging various ideas on how to solve the problems. Many ideas were shared and many suggestions made during the three-hour session in which the teams tried to solve the problems prepared. Some blaming the cables, some blaming the router and some even blaming the backend network (like that was going to happen…). Finally though, the problems were successfully solved by all.

 

When asked about their plans for the future, the reactions were mixed. Tensin kunsang one of the students wants to join the Airjaldi team whereas Tensin Jungney is interested in doing MCA from Delhi, Cisco’s CCNA and CCNS certifications were other interests of the students.

With the end of this present course, as in any course we give, we once again hope to have fulfilled our overall goal of equipping graduates with the basic tools and mindset needed to address problems in the field of networking and to move ahead in a professional and personal success path.