• Description

Currently, system administration is one of the basic needs for all organizations because computers and servers are the standard digital components in all organizations. Therefore, the network, workstations, information, security and server configure the computer network, which needs to be appropriately managed by an expert to get optimal performance, and avoid security risks. It is not free to say that good computer network management saves many hundreds of hours worker/year in an organization.

The course focuses on covering the functions of the System Administrator and Head of the IT department. Because of the complexity of all the skills needed, the course provides an overview of IT as a tool to be managed inside an organization. We think that knowledge about these areas is essential.

The concept of system administration is, somehow, difficult to define. It comprises a large number of knowledge and skills. That’s the reason that leads us to make a view of most of them instead of diving into any. Besides, the Technology changes every few years, but the fundamentals are the same.

Therefore, the course is oriented on how to plan, manage, and maintain a complete computer network system to make it efficient and manage the 'computer department' within the organization. On the other hand, the information contained in the computer system is very valuable and cannot be lost or accessed by unauthorized persons. Hence, the system must be secure and not have security bugs. Our responsibility will then be to achieve these two milestones, design and maintain an efficient and secure computer system. In addition to the technical concepts, we have to consider two critical issues, the legal aspect and the security aspect in the administration and management of systems, since we believe that knowledge of these areas is essential.

• The subject within the syllabus as a whole

• Professional fields to which it applies

This course is intended to teach the skills for a professional in: 

• System administration 
• Head of IT. 

 Both roles have several skills in common. The first one is more centered in technical planning and executing, and the second one in planning and aligning the IT department with the company goals.

As the course provides an overview of the subjects that a system administrator and also an IT manager need to know, it is not possible to go into detail on subjects. Therefore, the entry level for the intended student is a basic knowledge in computer science.

• Prior knowledge

It is recommended that the student has taken or is taking the subjects of Operating Systems and Databases. 

• Information prior to enrolment

It is recommended that the student has taken or is taking the course of operating systems and databases.

• Learning objectives and results

Main Goal

The main goal of this course is to present an overview of network administration, providing the tools needed to design, configure and administrate the computer network of any organization.

Having in mind the computer system could be considered a tool within the organization; the student will know how to manage resources and configure operating systems. Besides, the course teaches how to apply the necessary security, applications and hardware to make it as efficient and secure as possible. This responsibility will most likely be one that a computer science engineer will have at some point in his or her career, as computer science plays a crucial role in all professional sectors today.

Specific  Goals

Specifically, the goals of the subject are:

• To know the different tasks and responsibilities of a system administrator and how they can be performed.
• To study the different operating systems and the possibilities of each of these systems.
• To know the possibilities of communicating different operating systems.
• The study the concepts and tools related to systems administration.
• To know the needs of users.
• To know how software is integrated into an organization.
• To know what actions can be taken to maximize the security of the computer system.
• To know how to plan all the computers of an organization.

Because of the transversal view of many technologies and the fact that technology changes every few years, when the student needs to apply the learned skills, the real necessity will guide him/her to go more deeply into the aspects relevant to his/her work.

What will the student be capable of doing in the end? Create and maintain a computer system well integrated with the company and users.

• Content

This course is divided into seven different modules:

1. Introduction to system administration
2. Server administration/management
3. User administration/management
4. Network administration/management
5. Data administration/management
6. Security administration/management
7. The computer system within the organization

• Guidelines on assessment at the UOC

The assessment process is based on the student's personal work and presupposes authenticity of authorship and originality of the exercises completed.

Lack of authenticity of authorship or originality of assessment tests, copying or plagiarism, the fraudulent attempt to obtain a better academic result, collusion to copy or concealing or abetting copying, use of unauthorized material or devices during assessment, inter alia, are offences that may lead to serious academic or other sanctions.

Firstly, you will fail the course (D/0) if you commit any of these offences when completing activities defined as assessable in the course plan, including the final tests. Offences considered to be misconduct include, among others, the use of unauthorized material or devices during the tests, such as social media or internet search engines, or the copying of text from external sources (internet, class notes, books, articles, other students' essays or tests, etc.) without including the corresponding reference.

And secondly, the UOC's academic regulations state that any misconduct during assessment, in addition to leading to the student failing the course, may also lead to disciplinary procedures and sanctions.

The UOC reserves the right to request that students identify themselves and/or provide evidence of the authorship of their work, throughout the assessment process, and by the means the UOC specifies (synchronous or asynchronous). For this purpose, the UOC may require students to use a microphone, webcam or other devices during the assessment process, and to make sure that they are working correctly.

The checking of students' knowledge to verify authorship of their work will under no circumstances constitute a second assessment.

• View the assessment model