Course Title: Unix Essentials for System Administrators

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Unix Essentials for System Administrators

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COSC2506

City Campus

Undergraduate

155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016

COSC2506

City Campus

Undergraduate

174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 2 2020

COSC2506

City Campus

Undergraduate

520T Future Technologies

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2022,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Dalija Beganovic

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4664

Course Coordinator Email: dalija.beganovic@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 57, Level 5, Room 36


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Please be aware that this course forms part of AD006 (Associate Degree in Information Technology) and is not part of the BP162 (Bachelor of Information Technology) study plan. Also, it will follow the Vocational Education calendar dates and not the Higher Ed semester dates which means that classes will start 3 weeks earlier. The timetable is published under the Vocational Education timetable link and is not available on STS. If you enrol in this course as an elective please check with your program coordinator before commencement as this is not a bachelor course.


Course Description

This course is designed as a hands-on introductory course on UNIX (and UNIX-like) System Administration. It is designed particularly for use with the UNIX operating system, but much of it applies to Linux systems as well.

The course covers the basic and frequently used UNIX/Linux commands and introduces important concepts in security and managing your computing environment from the system administration point of view. In addition, you will become proficient in text editing, shell scripting, inter-process communication using pipes, redirection, file processing, and common configuration and troubleshooting procedures.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

 This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for AD006 Associate Degree in Information Technology:
• Enabling Knowledge
• Critical Analysis
• Problem Solving


On completion of this course you should be able to:
1. Select common UNIX commands to solve real-world problems.
2. Design and implement common system automation tasks using shell scripts.
3. Perform routine system administration tasks, such as user account management, and system monitoring.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of advanced UNIX file processing.
5. Apply knowledge of system security and data backups in an UNIX environment.
6. Apply the UNIX philosophy to the design of programs and systems.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will learn through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and laboratory exercises.
• The lectures will be devoted to presentation of new material, and will discuss the topics presented in the course.
• The Tutorial/Laboratory sessions will provide you with hands-on experience in using UNIX/Linux operating systems.

In addition to the specifically laboratory type work, a series of questions will be provided to reinforce the key concepts from the lectures.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will make extensive use of computer laboratories and relevant software provided by the School. You will be able to access course information and learning materials through MyRMIT and may be provided with copies of additional materials in class or via email. Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided.

The computer science subject guide is located at rmit.libguides.com/compsci and can provide useful references to further augment your studies.


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.  
To pass this course you must achieve a total score of at least 50%.  

Assessment Tasks  

Assessment Task 1: Practical Test 1  
Weighting towards the final grade (%): 30 %  
This assessment task supports CLOs 1,2,4 

Assessment Task 2: Practical Test 2 
Weighting towards the final grade (%): 30 %  
This assessment task supports CLOs 2,3,5,6 

Assessment Task 3: Online Test 
Weighting towards the final grade (%): 20%  
This assessment supports CLOs 1-6

Assessment Task 4: Online Test 
Weighting towards the final grade (%): 20%  
This assessment supports CLOs 1-6

Practical Tests Submission Policy  
There are two practical tests to be completed during the semester. Both of them will be completed in class and will relate to the course topics. You will be notified in advance of the practical test date.  

Online Tests  
The questions are designed to check your understanding of the concepts presented in the class.  

Feedback on your performance in the assessments will be given on a regular basis during the semester. Written comments will be posted on the Canvas Grade Center.