PELLISSIPPI STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE  MASTER SYLLABUS
LINUX SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION CSIT 2411
Class Hours: 3.0						Credit Hours: 4.0
Laboratory Hours: 3.0						Revised: Fall 09
Catalog Course Description:
	A study of system administration tools and techniques for the Linux operating system. Emphasis will be on the practical use and application of the Linux operating system to perform system installation, configuration and maintenance tasks.
Entry Level Standards:
	The student must have familiarity with basic Linux/Unix system administration concepts such as file systems, processes, vi editor, string processing, standard I/O, desktop environments, and general purpose command line utilities. The student must have college level reading and math skills and keyboarding skills of at least 28 wpm.
Prerequisites:
	CSIT 2410 or Linux/UNIX system administrator or user level experience.
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:
	Linux Administration Handbook by Nemeth, Snyder and Hein, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 978-0131480049. Recommended Text: Essential Linux Device Drivers by Venkateswaran, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 978-0132396554.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
	Week				Topic
	1				Introduction and course overview
	2				Linux system installation
	3				System initialization and services
	4				Network configuration
	5				Kernel configuration and customization
	6				File system management & maintenance
	7				User administration – NIS, LDAP
	8				Package management and backup
	9				Review and Midterm
	10				Kickstart configuration & installation
	11				Disks quota and swap space administration
	12				Graphical User Interface (GUI) configuration
	13				Software RAID and LVM configuration
	14				Automation & scheduling of tasks
	15				Comprehensive Final Exam
II. Course Objectives*:
	A.			Perform and document basic and advance system installation. II, III, IV, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII
	B.			Understand Linux system initialization process. II, III, IV, VII, XI
	C.			Perform network and kernel configuration. I, III, IV, V, VII, IX, XI, XII
	D.			Setup and Use system GUI environments. II, III, IV, VIII, IX
	E.			Administer systems and use good administration techniques, logic, utilities and procedures. III, IV, VI, VIII, IX, XI
	F.			Perform system backup, maintenance & management tasks. II, III, IV, VIII, IX
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the CSIT program.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
	1.			Use system administration tools to configure and manage applications and system resources. Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategies, Active Learning Strategies
	2.			Install Linux operating system based on client input and specifications. Communication Outcome, Mathematics Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategies, Active Learning Strategies
	3.			Plan and install Linux/Unix systems based on client input and specifications. Communication Outcome, Mathematics Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategies, Active Learning Strategies
	4.			Practice elements of the work ethic such as punctuality, professionalism, dependability, cooperation, and contribution. Communication Outcome, Active Learning Strategies
	5.			Use industry accepted practices to administer systems and environments in a stand-alone or clustered environment. Communication Outcome, Mathematics Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategies, Active Learning Strategies
	6.			Use professionally accepted methods and materials in their approach to system administration. Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategies, Active Learning Strategies
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR's goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting course work to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
	1.			Customize and configure kernel to meet application needs. A, B, C, E, F
	2.			Configure network interfaces, DNS clients and network parameters. B, C, E
	3.			Produce documents and working utilities using Unix/Linux tools. A, E, F
	4.			Apply knowledge and concepts to specific problems. A ,B, C, D
	5.			Be able to perform and administer system setup, procedures and file management activities. A, B, E, F
	6.			Be able to perform advance user administration using NIS and LDAP. E, F
	7.			Be familiar with the development of the Unix/Linux system. A ,E, F
	8.			Configure and customize desktop environments and GUI tools and utilities. A, D, E, F
	9.			Perform package management, system backup and automation tasks. E, F
	10.			Understand and use RAID and LVM configuration and management techniques. B, E, F
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
	A. Testing Procedures:
			One hands-on and two theoretical tests will be given during the course of the semester. There will be no make-up tests unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Failure to make a passing test average may result in a grade of F for the course.
	B. Laboratory Expectations:
		At least 8 lab assignments will be given during the course of the semester. In addition, students may be assigned a team project. A late penalty will be imposed on any overdue assignment. Failure to make a passing average in lab assignments and team project may result in a grade of F for the course.
	C. Field Work:
		N/A
	D. Other Evaluation Methods:
		You are expected to do your own work in this class. If you are unable to complete an assignment on your own, it is your responsibility to get help from the instructor (before the assignment is due). Plagiarism, cheating, software piracy, non-educational use of computer systems and other forms of academic dishonesty are strictly prohibited. A student caught cheating or infracting specific rules will be given a grade of "F" for the course and a letter from the department head will be placed in the student's academic record file, or dismissal from the college will be recommended. In the event that you have an emergency beyond your control, you must notify the instructor in advance, if at all possible.
	E. Grading Scale:
		93-100 A 88-92 B+ 83-87 B 78-82 C+ 73-77 C 65-72 D Below 65 F
VI. Policies:
	A. Attendance Policy:
		Pellissippi State expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. As a minimum, students in all courses (excluding distance learning courses) must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. Individual departments/programs/disciplines, with the approval of the vice president of Learning, may have requirements that are more stringent. In very specific circumstances, an appeal of the policy may be addressed to the head of the department in which the course was taken. If further action is warranted, the appeal may be addressed to the vice president of Learning. (Pellissippi State Online Catalog)
	B. Academic Dishonesty:
		Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.  Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class.  In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular Pellissippi State procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course. . (Pellissippi State Online Catalog)
	C. Accommodations for disabilities:
		Students who need accommodations because of a disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated should inform the instructor immediately, privately after class or in her or his office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 134 or 126 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153. More information is available at www.pstcc.edu/departments/swd/
	D. Other Policies:
		Computer Usage Guidelines: College-owned or –operated computing resources are provided for use by students of Pellissippi State.  All students are responsible for the usage of Pellissippi State’s computing resources in an effective, efficient, ethical and lawful manner. . (Pellissippi State Online Catalog)