Module Information

Module Identifier
CS35810
Module Title
Further Issues in System and Network Services Administration
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Co-Requisite
Mutually Exclusive
CS25820
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Practical 10 x 2 Hour Practicals
Lecture 22 x 1 Hour Lectures
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Written Exam  100%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Written Exam  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Utilise specialised skills in the area of system and network services administration.

2. Critically evaluate problems in this topic area and exercise significant judgement in the choice of responses over a range of situations.

3. Critically review the professional needs of ICT providers and be able to justify the circumstances when the systematic application of proven formal methodologies is the best way to meet those needs.

Brief description

Building upon knowledge, skills and understanding developed in earlier modules, this module will consider a further range of 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 further emphasise the role and importance of "methodologies" for IT Service Management.

Content

1. Introduction to the module (1 lecture)
A general introduction to the module and the topics it will cover.

2. Web server operation and management (3 lectures)
The issues involved in web server management; facilities creation and management; web site protection, restricted access; web caches and proxies; web access and error logs and their analysis; the practical management of such services.

3. Management of web server (2 practicals)
Practical management and administration of typical web servers.

4. Mail service management (3 lectures)
The components of a mail service; mail server administration; mail routing, filtering and re-writing; spam control; supporting protocols such as POP, SMTP, and IMAP; usage logs and their analysis; the practical management of such services.

5. Management of mail services (1 practical)
Practical management of mail services.

6. Advanced file services administration and file access services (4 lectures)
Advanced aspects of file services as used in both the Microsoft and Unix environments.

7. Management of file servers and services (2 practicals)
Practical management of file services.

8. Server virtualisation (2 lectures)
The growing importance of virtualisation and the capabilities and features of a selection of typical approaches.

9. Management of virtual servers and services (1 practical)
Practical management of a selection of virtualisation technologies.

10. Application of a formal IT Service Management methodology (1 practical)
A 'define, build and test' activity looking at the detailed application of a formal IT Service Management methodology such as ITILv3.

11. Project lifecycle simulation (2 lectures)
A project lifecycle simulation using the PRINCE 2 project management methodology with a software/hardware implementation as the worked example.

12. The ICT/IT/IS Manager/Director (1 lecture)
The role of the ICT/IT/IS Manager/Director in different classes and styles of organisation.

13. Green IT (1 lecture)
IT and the environment - the need to include an analysis of IT provision in the environmental policy of a corporate organisation.

14. A typical Board Meeting (1 role play exercise)
Simulated presentation to a Board meeting by an IT Director aiming to influence copororate strategy.

15. Emergency planning (1 role play exercise)
Simulated emergency planning meeting DURING a major incident in a corporate environment.

16. Other issues (2 lectures)
A discussion of issues that are currently challenging IT providers.

17. Other services (2 practicals)
Practical management of other typical services such as firewalls, naming and directory services etc.

18. Summary and conclusions (1 lecture)
An overall summary of the module.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Inherent in the module.
Communication Role play sessions and practical activity.
Improving own Learning and Performance All aspects of the module.
Information Technology Inherent in the module.
Personal Development and Career planning Role play sessions.
Problem solving Role play sessions and practical activity.
Research skills Background study.
Subject Specific Skills Professional management of ICT services.
Team work Role play sessions and practical activity.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6