| Network and System administration | Code: 22.626 : 6 |
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.
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.
It is recommended that the student has taken or is taking the subjects of Operating Systems and Databases.
It is recommended that the student has taken or is taking the course of operating systems and databases.
Main objective
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 Objectives
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.
This course is divided into seven different modules:
- Introduction to system administration
- Server administration/management
- User administration/management
- Network administration/management
- Data administration/management
- Security administration/management
- The computer system within the organization
Assessment at the UOC is, in general, online, structured around the continuous assessment activities, the final assessment tests and exams, and the programme's final project.
Assessment activities and tests can be written texts and/or video recordings, use random questions, and synchronous or asynchronous oral tests, etc., as decided by each teaching team. The final project marks the end of the learning process and consists of an original and tutored piece of work to demonstrate that students have acquired the competencies worked on during the programme.
To verify students' identity and authorship in the assessment tests, the UOC reserves the right to use identity recognition and plagiarism detection systems. For these purposes, the UOC may make video recordings or use supervision methods or techniques while students carry out any of their academic activities.
The UOC may also require students to use electronic devices (microphones, webcams or other tools) or specific software during assessments. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that these devices work properly.
The assessment process is based on students' individual efforts, and the assumption that the student is the author of the work submitted for academic activities and that this work is original. The UOC's website on academic integrity and plagiarism has more information on this.
Submitting work that is not one's own or not original for assessment tests; copying or plagiarism; impersonation; accepting or obtaining any assignments, whether for compensation or otherwise; collaboration, cover-up or encouragement to copy; and using materials, software or devices not authorized in the course plan or instructions for the activity, including artificial intelligence and machine translation, among others, are examples of misconduct in assessments that may have serious academic and disciplinary consequences.
If students are found to be engaging in any such misconduct, they may receive a Fail (D/0) for the graded activities in the course plan (including final tests) or for the final grade for the course. This could be because they have used unauthorized materials, software or devices (such as artificial intelligence when it is not permitted, social media or internet search engines) during the tests; copied fragments of text from an external source (the internet, notes, books, articles, other students' work or tests, etc.) without the corresponding citation; purchased or sold assignments, or undertaken any other form of misconduct.
Likewise and in accordance with the UOC's academic regulations, misconduct during assessment may also be grounds for disciplinary proceedings and, where appropriate, the corresponding disciplinary measures, as established in the regulations governing the UOC community (Normativa de convivència).
In its assessment process, the UOC reserves the right to:
- Ask students to provide proof of their identity as established in the UOC's academic regulations.
- Ask students to prove the authorship of their work throughout the assessment process, in both continuous and final assessments, through a synchronous oral interview, of which a video recording or any other type of recording established by the UOC may be made. These methods seek to ensure verification of the student's identity, and their knowledge and competencies. If it is not possible to ensure the student's authorship, they may receive a D grade in the case of continuous assessment or a Fail grade in the case of the final assessment.
Artificial intelligence in assessments
The UOC understands the value and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, but it also understands the risks involved if it is not used ethically, critically and responsibly. So, in each assessment activity, students will be told which AI tools and resources can be used and under what conditions. In turn, students must agree to follow the guidelines set by the UOC when it comes to completing the assessment activities and citing the tools used. Specifically, they must identify any texts or images generated by AI systems and they must not present them as their own work.
In terms of using AI, or not, to complete an activity, the instructions for assessment activities indicate the restrictions on the use of these tools. Bear in mind that using them inappropriately, such as using them in activities where they are not allowed or not citing them in activities where they are, may be considered misconduct. If in doubt, we recommend getting in touch with the course instructor and asking them before you submit your work.
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You can only pass the course if you participate in and pass the continuous assessment. Your final mark for the course will be the mark you received in the continuous assessment. |