Module Information
Module Identifier
CS25110
Module Title
Introduction to System and Network Services Administration
Academic Year
2013/2014
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Mutually Exclusive
Pre-Requisite
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 hours |
| Practical | 8 x 2 hour supervised laboratory practicals |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 2 x 1 hour role play sessions |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Production of a laboratory workbook. | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Report: Scenario analysis report. | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resubmission of failed/nonsubmitted coursework and practical components or ones of equivalent value. This may require students to present themselves in Aberystwyth to repeat any missed laboratory practical sessions. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Explain why systems and services are best managed using proven formal methodologies
Select appropriate hardware and systems software for desktop and server deployment
Configure commonly used system and network services
Aims
This module is intended to introduce both professional and technical issues associated with the correct and proper management and administration of computer and network based systems and services. We believe that it is both important and valuable for our students to gain skill in this area before they go out on Industrial Experience years.
Brief description
This module is intended to introduce both professional and technical issues associated with the correct and proper management and administration of computer and network based systems and services. The module will also introduce "methodologies" for IT Service Management such as ITILv3 which is promoted by the "Office of Government Commerce" as well as others.
Content
1. Introduction to the Module - 1 Lecture
A general introduction to the module and the topics it will cover.
2. Management Policy Definition - 2 Lectures
Requirements for management policy; establishment of policies; user account management.
3. User Account Management - 2 Practicals
Account management on common operating systems. The creation of user accounts and associated permissions, capabilities and rights, together with filestore associations.
4. System Startup/Shutdown and Process Management - 3 Lectures
The loading of an operating system onto a machine; the requirement for procedures and mechanisms to support the orderly startup and shutdown of systems; the techniques and facilities in common operating systems to support startup and shutdown.
5. System Startup/Shutdown and Process Management Activities - 2 Practicals
Practical experience of starting up and shutting down systems using a variety of common operating systems. Process management on such systems.
6. File Services Administration and File Access Services - 4 Lectures
Local file management. File backup and restoration. The difference between transfer and access; services that provide transfer facilities such as the FTP protocol and its servers and clients; services that provide access facilities, in particular Sun's NFS and ZFS and Microsoft's SMB services; the practical management of FTP, NFS, ZFS and SMB.
7. Filestore Management - 2 Practicals
Filestore management, backup and restoration techniques.
8. Naming and Directory Services - 2 Lectures
The requirements and facilities of naming and directory services; actual services such as DNS, LDAP, NIS, finger, whois; the practical management of such services.
9. Management of Naming and Directory Services - 2 Practicals
Practical management of naming and directory services on a range of common operating systems.
10. Firewalls and Network Security - 2 Lectures
The requirements for network security; the role of firewalls and their typical capabilities; network address translation; the practical management of such services.
11. Other Services - 2 Lectures
Other emerging services.
12. Hardware and System Software Selection - 3 Lectures
The selection of appropriate hardware resources for both server and desktop systems. This will consider such issues as processor selection, memory requirements, network requirements and disk requirements.
13. The role of IT Service Management Methodologies - 2 Lectures
An introduction to the role of service management methodologies such as ITIL.
14. Summary and Conclusions - 1 Lecture
An overall summary of the material covered and a comparison between the facilities provided and their practical use on various products and operating systems.
15. Role Play Exercises - 2 Seminars
Role play exercises associated with policy establishment and incident management.
A general introduction to the module and the topics it will cover.
2. Management Policy Definition - 2 Lectures
Requirements for management policy; establishment of policies; user account management.
3. User Account Management - 2 Practicals
Account management on common operating systems. The creation of user accounts and associated permissions, capabilities and rights, together with filestore associations.
4. System Startup/Shutdown and Process Management - 3 Lectures
The loading of an operating system onto a machine; the requirement for procedures and mechanisms to support the orderly startup and shutdown of systems; the techniques and facilities in common operating systems to support startup and shutdown.
5. System Startup/Shutdown and Process Management Activities - 2 Practicals
Practical experience of starting up and shutting down systems using a variety of common operating systems. Process management on such systems.
6. File Services Administration and File Access Services - 4 Lectures
Local file management. File backup and restoration. The difference between transfer and access; services that provide transfer facilities such as the FTP protocol and its servers and clients; services that provide access facilities, in particular Sun's NFS and ZFS and Microsoft's SMB services; the practical management of FTP, NFS, ZFS and SMB.
7. Filestore Management - 2 Practicals
Filestore management, backup and restoration techniques.
8. Naming and Directory Services - 2 Lectures
The requirements and facilities of naming and directory services; actual services such as DNS, LDAP, NIS, finger, whois; the practical management of such services.
9. Management of Naming and Directory Services - 2 Practicals
Practical management of naming and directory services on a range of common operating systems.
10. Firewalls and Network Security - 2 Lectures
The requirements for network security; the role of firewalls and their typical capabilities; network address translation; the practical management of such services.
11. Other Services - 2 Lectures
Other emerging services.
12. Hardware and System Software Selection - 3 Lectures
The selection of appropriate hardware resources for both server and desktop systems. This will consider such issues as processor selection, memory requirements, network requirements and disk requirements.
13. The role of IT Service Management Methodologies - 2 Lectures
An introduction to the role of service management methodologies such as ITIL.
14. Summary and Conclusions - 1 Lecture
An overall summary of the material covered and a comparison between the facilities provided and their practical use on various products and operating systems.
15. Role Play Exercises - 2 Seminars
Role play exercises associated with policy establishment and incident management.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | The application of number is important in this area of information technology. |
| Communication | Written communication will be developed through the writing of the laboratory workbooks and the scenario analysis report. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The coursework will encourage and help students to develop and improve their individual learning skills. |
| Information Technology | Information technology is central to this module. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The skills gained in this module should directly help students to prepare for many areas of the computing industry at both practical and managerial levels. |
| Problem solving | Thinking through tasks in laboratory practicals and in the scenario analysis coursework. |
| Research skills | Gathering supporting material for the scenario analysis coursework and including it within the report. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Technical skills in the selection and configuration of system and network services. |
| Team work | Some of the laboratory practicals will require students to work in small groups. |
Reading List
Recommended TextNemeth, Evi; Snyder, Garth; Hein, Trent R.; Whale, Ben (2010) Unix and Linux System Administration Handbook http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Unix_and_Linux_System_Administration_Han.html?id=rgFIAnLjb1wC Pearson Education
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5