Discipline: Computer Information Systems Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Computer Information Systems 21A


COURSE DESCRIPTION
21A Linux Operating System Administration Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: CIS 1A Previous experience with computer concepts, theory and applications or CIS 3A
This course covers operating system concepts, structure, functions, performance, and management. The Linux operating system is specifically studied and analyzed with respect to these concepts. All major administrative responsibilities associated with this operating system are performed. These tasks shall include but not be limited to system installation, configuration, security, and backups for both client and server which might be found in a small business environment. 54 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Learn how to administer the Linux operating system on desktops and servers.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
Before entering the course, students will be able to:
  1. Navigate file structures and utilize operating systems commands from at least one other OS.

  2. Develop integrated reports based upon office applications such as documents, spreadsheets, presentation software and databases.

  3. Understand the terminology associated with the computer information field.

  4. Know the common hardware components and the software applications found in today’s business environment.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Describe the overall role the administrator in relation to the Linux
      operating system.

2.   Install the Linux operating system on desktops and servers.

3.   Identify and perform all system administrator responsibilities.

4.   Perform maintenance of business systems for update, security and
      backups.

5.   Relate operating system theory to the installation and
      maintenance of Linux in the business environment.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. The intent of this course is to correlate the theory behind operating systems with a specific implementation associated with Linux.  This will provide the student with the tools necessary to administer the Linux operating system in a small business environment.  This would include the installation and maintenance of Linux and it’s applications on the desktop.  The small business might also use Linux servers to handle services within the office environment while interfacing with other non-Linux operating systems.
  2. The first task encountered would be the installation of Linux on the desktop and server.  Unlike other operating systems, a thorough understanding of the hardware is required which possibly involves research into drivers for hardware that might not be available in the installation process.  The next task is choosing the services to install.  This requires an analysis of the delineation between the desktop and server for the office environment.
  3. Setting up users and their responsibilities comes next.  Usernames, passwords, expiration dates, shells, groups and applications should be determined to minimize the amount of future security concerns.
  4. Once a stable configuration has been chosen, then maintenance begins by checking logs for utilization and security, updating applications, installing new applications, stopping and starting services, and backing up important data.
  5. All these components will need to be covered to illustrate the concepts of an operating system while designing a small business architecture which is implemented using Linux.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Present class lectures/discussions/demonstrations in order to prepare the student for their administrative assignments and review of the reading material
  • Create group activities such as group projects in order to familiarize the student with the real world environment of system maintenance
  • Develop and assign class exercises such as weekly homework problems in order to familiarize and gain practice in utilizing the concepts necessary to administer a small business environment
  • Develop and assign web-based/web-enhanced/online/distance learning tasks/activities such installing a number of Linux distributions or maintaining the small business office in remote locations
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Written project reports which thoroughly document the maintenance of a small business office especially with respect to the research involved when problems occur
  • Class and individual projects which put into practice those concepts covered in-class
  • Collaboration with fellow students on the class project will represent real world team maintenance departments
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Nemeth, Evi and Snyder, Garth. Linux Administration Handbook. 2nd ed. Prentice Hall PTR, 2006.
  • Stanfield, Vicki and Smith, Roderic. Linux System Administration. 2nd ed. Sybex, 2002.
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