CIS 192A, UNIX/Linux TCP/IP Administration

Course Policy

This course is an 8-week course covering how TCP/IP protocols work within a UNIX/Linux LAN environment.

My goal is to provide a supportive learning environment for all interested students to learn about the greatest advantage of a UNIX/Linux system - its flexibility with respect to networking. You need the knowledge and experience obtained from CIS 90 to keep up in this class, e.g. familiarity with the shell, file management, and basic commands. You should also have a grasp of the fundamentals of networking including the OSI model and associated technologies.

You will learn a lot in this course about the TCP/IP protocols and the network applications it supports. I invite you to follow up this course with Security Administration, and to then obtain an industry certification on Linux Network Administration, such as offered by Red Hat, Novell (SUSE), Sair Linux, Linux Professional Institute, or CompTIA Linux+.

To aid you in studying for this course, this website will contain the objectives of each lesson. Keep these objectives in mind during class to help you stay focused on what is important. In class, you will be introduced to concepts and topics related to UNIX; it will be in your performing the labs that you actually learn these concepts. When we are done with a lesson, make sure you can answer the review questions posted under the Review link.

Some students like to read the textbook chapters relating to a particular lesson before class; others wait 'till after. I think you get more out of the class lectures if you have done the reading in preparation; that way you can be ready to ask questions and pay closer attention to those areas that were confusing.

You'll notice that room 2501 has one computer per table. That means when we use the computers, you will be working in pairs - sometimes teaming up with the pair sitting next to you. The idea is that one drives, while the other steers. I will do what I can to keep the room comfortable temperature wise and with minimal distractions. Towards that end, you can help me by turning off your pagers and cell phones when you enter the classroom and by not surfing the web or reading email from your workstation which may distract students sitting next to or near you.

Most of the course materials (including this syllabus) are located on my website. You are responsible for reviewing these documents as necessary throughout the semester.

Textbook Information

Required Textbook:

Linux Administration Handbook, 2nd Edition, by Nemeth
Available at Hawkshop as well as Amazon.com and other book sellers.
ISBN: 978-0-13-148004-9
 

Recommended Textbook:

TCP/IP Essentials: A Lab-Based Approach, by Panwar, Mao, et.al.
This book is also available at the college bookstore as well as from various websites
ISBN: 0-521-60124-X

Oldie but Goodie:

Linux TCP/IP Network Administration, by Scott Mann
This book is becoming more out of date with each passing year, but it remains as a classic treatment of the TCP/IP protocols and how they are configured in the Linux environment.
It is published by Prentice Hall and has an ISBN number of 0-13-032220-2.
 

Grading Policy

Grades will be based on a combination of factors including attendance, classroom exercises, labs and final exam. You will be evaluated based upon your ability to demonstrate the skills taught in the course and outlined in the Student Learner Outcomes.
Exercises

The second half of each class will be devoted to classroom exercises that in involve configuring a Red Hat Linux system according to a specification given by the instructor. These configuration settings must be persistent and will accumulate through the course of the semester.

Labs

Labs will be performed either in the campus Networking Lab (Room 2504) or remotely using virtual machines on the campus opus.cabrillo.edu computer. Performing a lab involves submitting a lab write-up that includes a purpose, a network diagram, results of the lab, and an interpretation of those results in a "lessons learned" section.

Final

The final exam will be comprehensive. It will follow the format of the RedHat RHCT exam, which tests your knowledge and your ability to demonstrate that you can perform basic network administration tasks on a Linux system.

The Credit / No Credit Option
By default you will get a letter grade (A, B, C, D, or F) for this class. However, you may choose to take the class for Credit / No Credit instead. If you take this class with the Credit / No Credit option, to receive a Credit you must complete this class with an average of 70% or more. A No Credit grade is not included on transcripts and is not factored into determining a student's GPA.

Missing Classes
From page 28 of the Cabrillo Catalog:

Absence from class in excess of two weeks will constitute reason for an instructor to withdraw a student from a full-term course. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from classes.

Make a commitment to yourself to attend every class. The worst thing about missing a class is falling behind because you missed a week's worth of material. Missing class is not an acceptable excuse for missing any lecture material or assignments given during that time. Any work missed, must be made up on your time and within one week from the day that you missed. If you know you will be missing more than one class, I suggest you take the course for Credit/NoCredit. If you miss more than two classes, I will drop you from the course enrollment unless prior arrangements have been made and agreed to.

Help

We all have different study habits. Let me know if there is something I can do regarding the organization of this course that would help you learn the material better.
Please don't hesitate to see me if you need some help, have some questions, or just want to talk. You can speak with me after class or during my office hours. If you can't come during my scheduled hours I am happy to try to arrange another time for us to meet. You can call me at any time, my number is 477-3539. If I am not in, please leave a message letting me know what are the best times to call you back.

I encourage students with disabilities, including "invisible" disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning, and psychological disabilities, to explain their needs and appropriate accommodations to me during my office hours. Please bring a verification of your disability from the Learning Skills or DSP&S offices and a counselor or specialist's recommendations for accommodating your needs.
 

Other Places for Help

The Writing Center
A student who needs assistance in solving specific writing problems may drop in to receive individual help. Students should bring the paper or assignment with them. Interested persons may receive more information at the center, building 1000 (enter on opposite side of library), or by calling 479-6319.

Tutorial Center
The Tutorial Program offers individual and group assistance to students served by EOPS, Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS), Migrant Education Teacher Preparation Program (METPP) or who are enrolled in certain vocational majors and have academic disadvantages. Interested persons may receive more information at the center, building 1000 (enter on opposite side of library), or by calling 479-6470 or 479-6126.

Disabled Students Program and Services
The Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS) offers a variety of services to enable students with disabilities to function independently in the educational environment. The objective of DSPS services is integrate students with disabilities into general campus programs and activities. Interested persons may receive more information at the center, room 800, or by calling 479-6379 or 479-6370.

Learning Skills Program
The Learning Skills Program is designed to serve students with specific learning disabilities. After an initial interview, individual diagnostic testing is conducted to determine if the student is considered appropriate for this program. Interested persons may receive more information by calling 479-6220 or 479-6224.

Counseling
Counselors are committed to providing students with up-to-date information and informed advice regarding their educational and career goals. For more information or to set up an appointment, call 479-6274.