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Administration of Computer Networks

Course developers

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to prepare IT specialists for the implementation and maintenance of Microsoft Server and GNU/Linux server operating systems in the institution's computer network.
Within the framework of the study course, students learn the working methods of a computer network administrator, acquire knowledge, skills and competencies in planning and administering server roles, and learn methods for creating and managing users, groups and computer network resources for servers with Microsoft Windows Server and GNU/Linux server operating systems.
The course is intended to be implemented as face-to-face classes, which include lectures, laboratory work and independent work.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge:
• students gain knowledge about Microsoft Server operating systems and Microsoft Directory Services – passed test No. 1;
• students gain knowledge about Microsoft Server roles and services, gain knowledge about Windows Server security implementation, monitoring and maintenance and get acquainted with the basics of Microsoft Azure, as well as deepen the knowledge about server hardware acquired in the study course “Computer Design” – developed independent work and passed test No. 2.
• students deepen their knowledge about the development history, versions, implementation, management and maintenance of GNU/Linux distributions – passed test No. 3;
• students gain knowledge about the implementation of frequently used Internet network services for servers with the GNU/Linux server operating system – passed test No. 4.
Skills:
• students are able to independently install Windows Server and GNU/Linux server operating systems, add roles and services to both local and cloud-based servers – developed laboratory works and independent works;
• students are able to create and manage Windows Server and GNU/Linux user accounts, user groups, shared resources and websites using both local and remote administration tools – developed laboratory works;
• students are able to create Windows Server group policy objects and use them to manage computers and user account desktops in a Microsoft domain – developed laboratory works;
• students are able to create DHCP servers, DNS servers BIND, Apache web servers, NFS and Samba file servers for GNU/Linux operating systems – developed laboratory works and completed practical exam task
Competencies:
• students are able to demonstrate understanding of Windows Server roles, services, administration tools and are able to choose the most appropriate solutions for a specific computer network – defended laboratory works;
• students are able to demonstrate understanding of implementing Windows Server and GNU/Linux infrastructure using local, hybrid and cloud technologies – developed independent work.
students are able to demonstrate understanding of implementing a computer network infrastructure that uses servers and computers with both Windows and GNU/Linux operating systems, and are able to justify the choice of servers and services – developed independent work and completed practical exam task.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Course Introduction. Overview of Microsoft operating systems, Windows Server licensing and installation, Microsoft Azure basics, VirtualBox virtual work environment creation and configuration (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
2. Microsoft Directory Services, domain controller creation, Windows Server security basics, network logon, Windows Server administration tools overview, remote administration methods, Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and Windows PowerShell (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
3. Creating and managing Windows Server user accounts and user groups, file and folder sharing (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
Test No. 1. Microsoft Server operating system, directory services, accounts and groups, shared resource management.
4. Microsoft IIS web server and shared print devices (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
5. Windows Server Security and Group Policy, Managing Computers and User Desktops with Group Policy (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
6. Introduction to Implementing Windows Server Security, Firewalls and Virtual Private Networks, Server Monitoring, Maintenance, and Backup (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
7. Server Hardware Overview, Part 1 (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
8. Server Hardware Overview, Part 2 (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
Test No. 2. Microsoft IIS Web Server, Group Policy, Server Maintenance, and Server Hardware.
9. History of UNIX and GNU/Linux Development, Linux Distribution Overview, Creating a VirtualBox Virtual Workspace for GNU/Linux Servers (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
10. GNU/Linux Commands, Server Services, and Interfaces, Installing Debian Linux and AlmaLinux Servers (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
11. Installation and initial configuration of Linux servers, local and remote administration of GNU/Linux servers, use of SSH protocol, Putty and WinSCP utilities in laboratory work (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
12. Configuring and routing IP addresses, creating and managing a DHCP server, installing a DHCP server (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
Test No. 3. Historical overview of Linux, distributions, installation and administration, IP addressing, DHCP server.
13. Overview and management of firewall implementations built into the GNU/Linux kernel, firewall management using the iptables utility (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
14. Overview of the Domain Name System (DNS) and DNS servers, creating and managing a DNS server BIND9 (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
15. Overview of the World Wide Web, website creation and hosting, Apache server installation and website creation for Debian Linux and AlmaLinux servers (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
16. Creation and management of NFS and Samba file servers, file hosting services, creation and management of email servers and clients, installation and management of NFS, Samba and NexCloud servers (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
Test No. 4. Linux firewall, DNS, web, file and email servers.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Lecture attendance must be above 75%, if the absences are above 25%, then a report must be written on the topics of the missed lectures.
Theory tests must be successfully passed.
All laboratory work and independent work must be carried out in accordance with the descriptions of the assessment criteria for work tasks and achievable results posted in the LBTU e-study environment. An exam must be passed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student must independently prepare for the theory test. As part of the independent work, the student must create a Microsoft Azure for Students account, create a server in the Microsoft Azure cloud with Windows Server and GNU/Linux operating systems.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Tests are created in the LBTU e-study system, the student takes the tests in the computer lab during laboratory work, the tests are graded on a 10-point scale, a successful grade can be obtained if at least 40% of the test questions are answered correctly, the test result is reduced by 1 point by rewriting the failed tests.
Laboratory work and independent work are assessed by a test without a grade.
The exam task consists of:
1. test on the theoretical material learned in the study course;
2. practical task on the topics learned in the laboratory work of the study course, which is graded on a 10-point scale.
The exam score is calculated as the arithmetic average of the theory test (or the arithmetic average of the course tests) and the practical exam task.

Compulsory reading

1. Sara Perrott, Windows Server 2022 & Powershell All-in-One For Dummies, Izdevniecība: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2022, 784 lpp.
2. Jason Eckert, Hands-On Microsoft® Windows Server 2019, 3rd Edition, Izdevniecība: Course Technology Inc, 2020., 624 lpp.
3. Troy McMillan, CompTIA Server+ Study Guide: Exam SK0-005, 2nd Edition, Izdevniecība: Sybex Inc.,U.S., 2022., 608 lpp.
1. Whaley B., Nemeth E., Hein T., Snyder G., Mackin D. Unix and Linux System Administration Handbook. 5th edition. Addison Wesley, 2017. 1232 p. 2. Negus C. Linux Bible. 10th Edition. John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2020. 928 p.

Further reading

1. Dishan Francis, Mastering Active Directory: Design, deploy, and protect Active Directory Domain Services for Windows Server 2022, Izdevniecība: Packt Publishing Limited, 2021., 788 lpp.
2. Adam Bertram, Powershell For Sysadmins: Workflow Automation Made Eas, Izdevniecība: No Starch Press,US, 2020., 320 lpp.
3. Doug Lowe, Networking All-in-One For Dummies 8th Edition, Izdevniecība: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2021., 1056 lpp.
4. Christine Bresnahan, Richard Blum, Mastering Linux System Administration, Izdevniecība: Sybex Inc.,U.S., 2021., 576 lpp
5. Brian Ward, How Linux Works, 3rd Edition: What Every Superuser Should Know, Izdevniecība: No Starch Press,US, 2021., 390 lpp.
William E. Jr. Shotts, Linux Command Line, 2nd Edition: A Complete Introduction, Izdevniecība: No Starch Press,US, 2019., 480 lpp. 5.OccupyTheWeb, Linux Basics For Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali, Izdevniecība: No Starch Press,US, 2018., 248 lpp.

Notes

Academic bachelor study program “Computer Management and Computer Science” and in the professional bachelor study program “Information Technologies for Sustainable Development”.