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31338 Network Servers

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

UTS: Information Technology: Computing and Communications
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (31268 Web Systems AND (31270 Networking Essentials OR 48720 Network Fundamentals))

Handbook description

Through this subject students gain an understanding of the design principles and implementation issues for the deployment of network servers based on Windows and Linux operating systems. Techniques and skills for system administration are developed through a comprehensive sequence of laboratory activities in combination with mini-lectures and design tasks.

Subject objectives/outcomes

 At the end of the subject the student will be able to:

  1. Apply the knowledge gained in pre- requisite subjects to the design of network infrastructure and services
  2. Develop the knowledge required to implement network infrastructure and services
  3. Develop the basic skills required to successfully deploy and administer Windows and Linux based network servers
  4. Develop the attitudes and record keeping methods required to be a system administrator.

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

This internetworking subject provides students with opportunity to apply their knowledge of networking and operating systems to design and build networked servers to a clients specification.

Students are introduced to the basic skills required for systems administrators.

They gather requirements (A1), choose appropriate hardware and software platforms (B2,B3), document design decisions (E1, F1), build and test a prototype lab (B1,B2, B3, B5, C2) and design and document support procedures (B2, E1, F1).

This Subject contributes to the following Graduate Attributes:

A1 Need analysis, B1. Problem solving, B2 Design, B3 Synthesise alternative solutions,  B5. Implement and test solutions, C2 Develop Models, D1 Manage self, D2 Lifelong Learning,  E1 Communicate effectively, F1 Self Review

A complete list and description of Graduate Attributes for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology can be found at http://feit.uts.edu.au/faculty/graduate-attributes.html

 

Content

The major topics are:

  1. Features, installation, and deployment of network servers.
  2. Design, implementation and integration of network infrastructure.
  3. Understand directory services

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Learning Journal (Part 1)

Intent:

The use of a learning journal (also called an Engineering Journal) will encourage students to keep good logbooks for systems under their control, as well as foster ongoing reflective learning. The learning journal addresses objective 4 and requires ongoing effort

Part 1 is the initial draft of the Learning Journal. Tutors will review the journal in class and feedback will be provided as to the quality and quantity of the journal entries.
Objective(s):

4
Weighting:

5%

Assessment Item 2: Learning Journal (Part 2)

Intent:

Students will use their learning journal as a reference for their Skills Test in week 13. If they pass the skills test, they will submit their journal to the Tutor for marking at the end of the test.

If the student is required to return for the skills supplementary test, the tutor will accept the learning journal at the end of the supplementary skills test in week 14
Objective(s):

4
Weighting:

10%

Assessment Item 3: Skills Test

Intent:

The skills test will provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate their system administration skills and record keeping techniques.

This is a partially open book exam. Students are allowed to refer to their Learning Journal, and can use the Linux 'man' and 'info' commands on their virtual Linux servers, and can use their Windows servers help commands.

However, students are not allowed to use the Internet or any other material and this test will be conducted under formal exam conditions.

Objective(s):

1,2,3,4
Weighting:

40%

Assessment Item 4: Final Exam

Intent:

The final exam will test theoretical & design aspects of the curriculum
Objective(s):

1,2,3
Weighting:

30%

Assessment Item 5: Contributions

Intent: Students can gain bonus marks for doing the following activities
  1. Contributing to discussions in class and online
  2. Demonstrating D and HD worth activities researching, documenting and demonstrating network server techniques or technologies not taught in class (such as setting up remote authentication, clustering, converting the labs to OSX etc )
  3. performing optional activities as negotiated with the tutor, lecturer or subject coordinator

It will be the students responsibility to ensure that the staff member recognises and records the students contribution.
Objective(s):

1,2,3,4
Weighting:

15%

Minimum requirements

Students must aggregate marks of at least 50% to be eligible for a pass of this subject AND must pass the skills test.

Students who do not pass the first skills test in week 13 will be offered a pass/fail supplementary skills test in week 14. The maximum mark for the supplementary skills test is capped at 20%. If the student fails the supplementary skills test, they will be awarded a X (fail) grade, even if their final mark is > 50%

There is no overall subject supplementary examination for this subject. If you miss any piece of assessment through documented illness or misadventure, you should consult with the subject coordinator.

Recommended texts

Linux: Any LPIC-1 certification guide. Recommended texts include:

Smith, Roderick LPIC-1 Certification Study Guide, 2009, Wiley Press (also available online via UTS library)

various LPI Linux certification in a nutshell, 2010, O'Reilly press (also available online via UTS library)

Sobell, A practical guide to Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, 2012, Prenice Hall

Windows:

Morimoto, Windows Server 2008 R2 unleashed, 2010, Sams

Morimoto, Windows Server 2008 unleashed, 2008, Sams (online)

Hassell, Windows Server 2008, 2008, O'Reilly (online)

Other:

Moskowitz,Windows and Linux integration, 2005, Wiley

References

This subject, combined with network essentials, web systems and database fundamentals, covers most of the following certifications:

  • Linux Professional Institute Certification
    • LPIC1: Junior level Administator part 1 (Exam 101)
    • LPIC1: Junior level Administator part 1 (Exam 102)
  • Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
    • 70-642 Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure