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Pre-Requisite
Modules
code(s)
CoRequisite
Modules
code(s)
Computer
Technology 1
ECTS
Credits
Module
Code
Computer Technology 2
10
8.2.2 Computer Technology 2
Module Author
Ken O’Brien, Ciarán O’Leary
Module Description
This module develops the learner’s understanding of computer systems by introducing
them to the theory associated with the study of operating systems, and providing them
with the practical skills to perform effective system administration. As such, this is a
module which is balanced between the theoretical and the practical. An important
outcome of this module is the learner’s ability to write shell scripts.
Module Aims
The aims of this module are to:
•
Enable the learner to understand the basic operation and functions of modern
operating systems, particularly general purpose operating systems, in order that
the student can understand the abstraction layer between application and utility
software and the hardware.
•
Provide the learner with the expertise to, troubleshoot, assess, and optimise the
performance of a server, or to use the security features offered by a particular
operating system in a manner appropriate to users' needs, regulatory
requirements, or company policies.
•
Equip the student with a sufficient understanding of the architecture of
computer systems to support systems administration activities.
•
Give hands on practice of applying systems administration techniques.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, the successful learner will be able to:
1. Write scripts using one or more shell scripting languages.
2. Enumerate, describe, and differentiate between a number of different computer
operating systems
3. Describe how a modern general-purpose operating system typically manages
memory, processes and threads
4. Explain the concepts of concurrency and parallelism
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Pre-Requisite
Modules
code(s)
CoRequisite
Modules
code(s)
Computer
Technology 1
ECTS
Credits
Module
Code
Computer Technology 2
10
5. Enumerate, explain, and differentiate between different mechanisms of interprocess communication and synchronisation
6. Analyse the architecture of a computer system and understand the significance
of different architectural features and their affect on system administration.
7. Perform basic and common system administration operations
8. Develop further appreciation of the protocols and policies of system
administration
Learning and Teaching Methods
This module will be taught through a combination of lecture, practical lab-based
sessions, self-study, tutorials, and any combination of discussion, case studies, problemsolving exercises, readings, seminars, and computer-based learning.
Module content
Shell commands and Shell Scripting
Processes: Process states, context, and control, Scheduling algorithms: Round-robin,
priority queues
Memory Management and Virtual Memory: Evolution of virtual memory: overlays,
swapping, paging, segmentation, internal and external fragmentation, Microprocessor
support via page faults, Memory protection
File Management: Filesystem internal structures: inode-based, FAT, etc., Filesystem
features: ACLs, journals, Filesystem comparisons: UFS, NTFS, ext3, ISO-9660, FAT
Interprocess Communication: Semaphores, Message Queues and Mailslots, Pipes,
Sockets, Signals
Concurrency: Deadlock
synchronization primitives
and
starvation,
prevention,
avoidance,
detection,
Kernel architecture: Monolithic kernel (e.g. Linux), Microkernels (e.g. Mach), Hybrid
kernels (e.g. Microsoft Windows NT or later)
Essential Tasks of the System Administrator: Adding and Removing Users. Adding and
Removing Hardware. Performing Backups. Installing New Software. Monitoring the
System. Managing system resources - CPU, memory, disk I/O disk space.
Troubleshooting. Maintaining Local Documentation. Security. Contingency planning,
disaster recovery. Helping Users.
57
Pre-Requisite
Modules
code(s)
CoRequisite
Modules
code(s)
Computer
Technology 1
ECTS
Credits
Module
Code
Computer Technology 2
10
Controlling Processes: Components of a Process. PID: Process ID Number. PPID: Parent
PID. UID and EUID: Real and Effective User ID. GID and EGID: Real and Effective Group
ID. Niceness. Control Terminal. The Life Cycle of a Process. Signals. Kill: Send Signals.
Process States. Nice and Renice: Influence Scheduling Priority. Ps: Monitor Processes.
Top: Monitor Processes Even Better. Runaway Processes.
The Filesystem: Pathnames. Mounting and Unmounting Filesystems. The Organization of
the File Tree. File Types. Regular Files. Directories.
Network Configuration: Configuring clients on IP networks. Static IP, DHCP, Bootp, DNS
client configuration.
Module Assessment
The methods of assessment to be used to measure the learning objectives stated above
are written examination and continuous assessment including one or more of
assignment, essay, problem-solving exercise, oral presentation, and class or lab tests.
Marks will be allocated as follows
•
Continuous Assessment (30%)
•
Written Exam (70%)
Essential Reading
William Stallings, Operating Systems, 4th ed.; Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ
Linux System Administration Guide, Wirzenius and Oja. (Free Book), Linux
Documentation
Supplemental Reading
Relevant supplemental references will be indicated during the teaching of the module.
Web references, journals and other
Relevant web references and journals will be indicated during the teaching of the
module.
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