Overview
This unit gives you a practical introduction to system and network service management and administration. You are provided with the skills necessary to configure and manage secure server environments and deliver network services. You will cover topics such as managing computer systems and users, managing network services, configuring and managing system and network software, computer security mechanisms and ethics, and developing administrative policies and procedures. You will use a Linux operating system as a practical platform to apply and demonstrate knowledge.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: COIT12206 - TCP/IP Principles and Protocols OR, COIT13147 - Networks.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Evaluations
Having slides or reference material explaining the commands used in weekly activities would be very useful.
Consider offering brief step-by-step guidance and reference materials explaining the commands to complete the weekly activities.
Feedback from Student Feedback and Teaching Team Reflections
Difficult for group members to share access to VirtualBox resources on their local computer.
Explore the option to use a cloud environment instead of VirtualBox in the project.
- Use administration commands and utilities to manage and secure computer systems
- Configure and deploy the common system and network services
- Demonstrate the ability to perform user management and maintenance tasks
- Describe how elements of relevant codes of ethics inform professional practice
- Develop, deploy and evaluate security policies and rules.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is adopted by organisations, governments and individuals in many countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles. ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile.
This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 7 (the SFIA code is included):
- Network Support (NTAS)
- Problem Management (PBMG)
- System Design (DESN)
- Incident Management (USUP)
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework defines knowledge, skills and tasks needed to perform various cyber security roles. Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NICE Framework is used by organisations to plan their workforce, including recruit into cyber security positions.
This unit helps prepare you for roles such as Systems Security Analyst, Network Operations Specialist and Systems Administrator, contributing to the following knowledge and skills:
- K0035 Knowledge of installation, integration, and optimization of system components.
- K0060 Knowledge of operating systems.
- K0076 Knowledge of server administration and systems engineering theories, concepts, and methods.
- K0088 Knowledge of systems administration concepts.
- K0130 Knowledge of virtualization technologies and virtual machine development and maintenance.
- K0167 Knowledge of system administration, network, and operating system hardening techniques.
- K0275 Knowledge of configuration management techniques.
- K0289 Knowledge of system/server diagnostic tools and fault identification techniques.
- K0290 Knowledge of systems security testing and evaluation methods.
- S0043 Skill in maintaining directory services. (e.g., Microsoft Active Directory, LDAP, etc.).
- S0143 Skill in conducting system/server planning, management, and maintenance.
- S0144 Skill in correcting physical and technical problems that impact system/server performance.
- S0150 Skill in implementing and testing network infrastructure contingency and recovery plans.
- S0151 Skill in troubleshooting failed system components (i.e., servers)
- S0153 Skill in identifying and anticipating system/server performance, availability, capacity, or configuration problems.
- S0154 Skill in installing system and component upgrades. (i.e., servers, appliances, network devices).
- S0155 Skill in monitoring and optimizing system/server performance.
- S0157 Skill in recovering failed systems/servers. (e.g., recovery software, failover clusters, replication, etc.).
- S0158 Skill in operating system administration. (e.g., account maintenance, data backups, maintain system performance, install and configure new hardware/software).
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 15% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 25% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook (5e)
Edition: Fifth (2018)
Authors: Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder, Trent R. Hein, Ben Whaley, Dan Mackin
Addison-Wesley Professional
Upper Saddle River Upper Saddle River , NJ , United States of America
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- VirtualBox
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.rashid@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Linux and Virtualisation
Chapter
Chapter 1 Where to Start
Chapter 24 Virtualization
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Administration Tools
Chapter
Chapter 6 Software Installation and Management
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Linux Command Line Practice
Chapter
Chapter 5 The Filesystem
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Process Control and Shell Scripting
Chapter
Chapter 4 Process Control
Chapter 7 Scripting and the Shell
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Users and File Permission Management
Chapter
Chapter 3 Access Control and Rootly Powers
Chapter 8 User Management
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 1: Due Week 5 Friday (5 April 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Linux System Administration Activity Report Due: Week 5 Friday (5 Apr 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Networking in Virtual Environment
Chapter
Chapter 13 TCP/IP Networking
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Deploying Web Services
Chapter
Chapter 18 Electronic Mail
Chapter 19 Web Hosting
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
System Administration Automation
Chapter
Chapter 10 Logging
Chapter 20 Storage
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Networking Administration and Security
Chapter
Chapter 27 Security
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
System and Network Monitoring
Chapter
Chapter 28 Monitoring
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 2: Due Week 10 Friday (17 May 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Network Administration Activity Report Due: Week 10 Friday (17 May 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Building a Small Business Network
Chapter
The examples of the needed basic services (backup, git, DHCP and so on) will be provided through the unit website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review and Discussion
Chapter
Review and discuss the final project
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Final Project Report Submission
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 3: Review/Exam Week Friday (7 June 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
System and Network Administration Project Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (7 June 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Windows OS is the only environment supported by the teaching team as the CQU computer labs only have Windows.
1 Written Assessment
Each week (Weeks 1 to 5) you will perform hands-on system administration activities, including setting up a Linux system, using the Linux command line and basic scripting to perform filesystem and user management, and implementing security policies (e.g., file access control). You are required to report on these activities by answering questions about the tasks performed, and demonstrating that you have performed them by submitting evidence such as screenshots, logs, configuration files or other as required. The tasks and questions will be provided each week in Moodle, with all answers and required evidence to be submitted in your Linux System Administration Activity Report.
Late submissions are subject to the university's late submission penalty policies.
Week 5 Friday (5 Apr 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Late submissions are subject to the university's late submission penalty policies.
Week 7 Friday (26 Apr 2024)
Assessments will be returned through Moodle website. Late submissions with or without extension approvals may be returned after the above date.
Your activity report will be marked on the correctness and clarity of your answers. Evidence of tasks that are submitted (e.g. files, screenshots) will be marked on the correctness and depth of information shown. Detailed marking criteria and the expected format of activity reports are available in Moodle.
- Use administration commands and utilities to manage and secure computer systems
- Demonstrate the ability to perform user management and maintenance tasks
2 Written Assessment
During Weeks 6 to 9, you will perform hands-on network administration activities such as diagramming your network, producing digital certificates, doing cron entries and implementing security policies like firewalls. You are required to report on these activities by answering questions about the tasks performed, and demonstrating that you have performed them by submitting evidence such as screenshots, logs, configuration files or other as required. The tasks and questions will be provided each week in Moodle, with all answers and required evidences to be submitted in your Linux System Administration Activity Report.
Week 10 Friday (17 May 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Late submissions are subject to the university's late submission penalty policies.
Week 12 Friday (31 May 2024)
Assessments will be returned through Moodle website. Late submissions with or without extension approvals may be returned after the above date.
Your Activity Report will be marked on the correctness and clarity of your answers. Evidence of tasks that are submitted (e.g. files, screenshots) will be marked on the correctness and depth of information shown. Detailed marking criteria and expected format of Activity Reports are available in Moodle.
- Configure and deploy the common system and network services
- Describe how elements of relevant codes of ethics inform professional practice
- Develop, deploy and evaluate security policies and rules.
3 Written Assessment
Within a team environment, using the knowledge, skills and facilities developed over the term, you will develop a complete system typical of real, small business networks, with multiple computers configured in a network and running common services and applications. To do this you will design the IP-based network, select the services to run (e.g. web server, file server), and configure each computer to meet given security and user requirements. The system will be deployed in a virtual environment. You will produce and submit relevant documentation (e.g. installation guides, usage guides) as well as evidence that your system meets the requirements (e.g. configuration files, logs, screenshots). Details of this project, including team setup, the case study, security requirements, user requirements, and detailed marking criteria, are available in Moodle.
Review/Exam Week Friday (7 June 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Late submissions are subject to the university's late submission penalty policies.
Assessments will be returned on the Certification date (It is required for the unit without an exam).
The system documentation (including submitted files) that you produce will be assessed using detailed assessment criteria that include:
- Relevant material is included, while irrelevant or repetitive material is omitted;
- Sufficient depth is provided so that it can be used and understood by the intended audience;
- Sufficient breadth is provided, demonstrating all requirements of the system are met;
- Presentation and layout of the documentation such that it is clear and easy to follow;
- All requested files are submitted in the correct format.
Detailed marking criteria are available in Moodle.
- Use administration commands and utilities to manage and secure computer systems
- Configure and deploy the common system and network services
- Demonstrate the ability to perform user management and maintenance tasks
- Develop, deploy and evaluate security policies and rules.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
