Course Description from the University Catalog

CS 6261 - System and Network Admin I
Credits: 3.00
This course explores principles and practices in systems and network administration, with an emphasis on small-scale computing environments. The course will focus on practical aspects of managing a local area network consisting of servers, clients, network devices, and associated software services and tools running on multiple platforms. Fundamental theoretical concepts in operating systems and networks will be discussed in the context of system and network administration.
Lecture: 2.00 Lab: 2.00
College: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Computer Science
Pre-requisites: See hard copy catalog for pre-requisites.


Course Information

Course Syllabus
Course Page on the UWG CS Course Web (Moodle)

Course Summary

The following topics were covered in this course:
  • OS and Network Overview
    • Typical OS Components
    • Relationship between the OS and the computer
    • Relationship between the OS and the network
    • Typical network components
  • Virtualization
    • Virtual Machines
    • Virtual Networks
    • System administration issues
  • TCP/IP Protocols
    • Protocols
    • Subnets
  • OS Installation and Configuaration
    • Windows
      • Server 2003
      • XP Professional
    • Ubuntu
  • The (Ubuntu) Linux Command Line
  • Task Automation
    • Scripting
  • Users and Groups
    • Management
      • Windows
      • Linux
  • Domain Name System (DNS)
    • Tracing
    • Setup and Delegation
  • Dynamic Host Configuaration Protocol (DHCP)
    • Tracing and Analysis
  • Network Address Translation (NAT) and Firewalls
  • File and Print Sharing
    • Windows
    • Linux 
      • Samba
  • Security (Brief)
There was also a mideterm exam, done electronically via Moodle, and a course project that consisted of DHCP Contention Analysis.

Course Assessment

From the syllabus:

Learning Objectives

1.      Explain the purpose and function of the basic components of an operating system, and how such components affect system management and performance.

2.      Explain the purpose and function of the fundamental components of a local area network (LAN).

3.      Explain the concept of layers in the OSI model and the TCP/IP stack and how individual layers relate to components of a network environment.

4.      Demonstrate an ability to install and configure at least two different operating systems running on multiple systems connected to a local area TCP/IP network.

5.      Demonstrate the ability to effectively utilize command-line as well as graphical tools in system and network management tasks (to include administration and basic troubleshooting).

6.      Explain the role of and demonstrate the ability to setup and configure DNS, DHCP, and NTP services for a LAN.

7.      Understand the role of directory services in managing and supporting a networked environment, and demonstrate an ability to setup and configure a server providing directory services to client workstations (to include administration of users, groups, and workstation configuration settings).

8.      Demonstrate the ability to setup and configure file and print sharing services for a LAN.

9.      Demonstrate the ability to install and manage software packages on at least two different operating systems.

10.  Identify basic security vulnerabilities in a networked environment and demonstrate an ability apply basic security settings to an OS to mitigate those risks.

11.  Provide Internet connectivity to a local area network using a gateway server and network address translation (NAT).

                  12.  Discuss current trends and issues in systems and network administration.

Completed Objectives?
Yes.  All of the learning objectives listed above were satisfied in this course.  See the course summary for more details.  I learned a great deal about topics in system and network administration in this class.  Having already had a previous background in system administration I found much of the OS installation and administration to be review, but the network adminstration parts of the class are what I found to be most interesting.  Communication is necessary in modern computing and knowledge of networking and the principles invlolved is crucial.  Dr. Baumstark made this a quite illuminating and meaningful course and I would recommend his courses to anyone interested in learning about the topics being taught.  Dr. Baumstark always presents the material in his courses in ways that are very easy to understand, which is what makes his courses so educational.


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