Genesee Community College
Operating Systems 2: Advanced Linux (CSN190) Syllabus
Spring 2020

Instructor Information

Name:

Ken Mead

Email:

kjmead@genesee.edu

Office location:

D395 Math Science Area, Building D, Main Campus

Office hours:

Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00am - 10:45, and Wednesday 11:00am - 12:30pm, via Zoom

Phone:

585-343-0055 x 6381

Bio:

Homepage at https://faculty.genesee.edu/kjmead

Course Information

Course title:

Introduction to Operating Systems

Course number:

CSN190 section 01

Credit Hours:

Catalog description:

This course is a follow up to the Introduction to Operating Systems course, and provides students with an in-depth examination of a modern Linux-based operating system. Topics include the boot process, file system administration, package management, system administration tools, kernel configuration, networking services, the X window system, shell scripting, troubleshooting, and security. Students will be required to complete several hands-on projects during the course of the semester.

Prerequisite:

CSN115

Course Learning Outcomes:

The Genesee Community College Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course are: Upon the successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Install a Linux based server according to detailed specifications.
Upgrade an installed server.
Configure an installed server according to detailed specifications.
Use Linux virtualization software to create and administer virtual machines.
Troubleshoot various server problems (boot, drivers, system crashes, access denied, etc.)
Secure a linux server using various means (filesystem permissions, user access controls, ACLs, SELinux, firewalls, etc.).
Administer storage using various means (partitioning, Logical Volume Management, iscsi, nfs, samba, etc.).
Manage system services (network, network based filesystems, web, ssh, firewall, email, etc.)
Configure system services (network, network based filesystems, web, ssh, firewall, email, etc.)

Course Overview:

In this course, we will dive deeply into a modern linux-based distribution. Students will be expected to attend classes and participate. Hands-on experience will be a major emphasis. There will be three examinations consisting of both a written component and a hands-on lab practical. Additionally, there may be a final project (time permitting) and a final exam. Details about these requirements will be addressed during the first week of class.

Computer Assignments and Projects:

You will be required to complete many hands-on assignments during the semester. It is the student's responsibility to keep up with the readings and assignments, even if he/she misses class. It is important to ask questions and stay involved in class. Do not fall behind. If you are having trouble with an assignment, do not wait until the last minute to seek help.

Attendance and Participation:

Although attendance will not be taken in class, participation will be measured by the student completing assignments in a timely fashion and being actively engaged in the classroom. For students who will attend classes outside regular hours, you must email your instructor weekly updating him on your progress for the week, and posing any questions you may have.

Cheating:

Cheating on tests and projects will not be tolerated. A first offense will result in a grade of "F" on the assignment for the both "giver" and the "receiver". This includes code cut and pasted from the internet. A second offense will result in a grade of "F" for the course.

W Grade:

The last day for a W grade in the course is at the end of the ninth week of the semester.

Textbooks and Materials

Required materials:

Textbook: RHCSA/RHCE Red Hat Linux Certification Study Guide, Seventh Edition (Exams EX200 & EX300), by Michael Jan and Alessandro Orsaria, McGraw Hill Education, ISBN 9780071841962.

Textbook: Free PDF - The Linux Command Line, Fifth Internet Edition, by William Shotts, http://linuxcommand.org/tlcl.php. You may choose to purchase a hard copy of the textbook. Please visit linuxcommand.org/tlcl.php for details.

Grading Criteria

Grading Policies:

Final grades are assigned according to the following scheme, with the final average rounded to the nearest integer (in %):

92 or higher = A, 90-91 = A-, 88-89 = B+, 82-87 = B, 80-81 = B-, 78-79 = C+, 72-77 = C, 70-71 = C-, 68-69 = D+, 62-67 = D, 60-61 = D-, 59 or less = F.

Grades will be weighted as follows:

Written Component of Test (3 tests): 300 points total
Practical Exam + Lab Work + Homework + Participation (3 tests): 300 points total
Final Project (time permitting - 50 points)
Optional Final Exam: 100 points total - replaces your lowest written or practical exam grade

Note: the final exam may be customized per individual, and will replace the score of either a written or practical exam, at the instructor's discretion.

No make-up tests or exams will be given unless you have an unavoidable reason for missing the test AND you notify your instructor in advance (either in person, by sending email, or by phone call and leaving voicemail).

Tests, tentative schedule: 2/17, 3/30, 5/4. This content for this course will be broken up into 3 distinct modules. On test days, there will be a written exam covering material for the current module (approximately 40-50 questions) worth 100 points, and a practical exam (approximately 15-20 questions) worth 100 points. Included as a part of this practical exam will be grades for your class participation and lab/homework assignments for that module. There will also be a final project worth 100 points, announced during the semester.

Proctored Exams

Classroom-based Students

Students will take exams in class on the dates listed above. Missed exams will result in a grade of zero unless you have an unavoidable reason for missing the test AND you notify your instructor in advance (either in person, by sending email, or by phone call and leaving voicemail).

Remote Students

For students taking the class asynchronously: your instructor can be flexible about the exact date and time you take your exams, provided they are taken within a 48 hour window of the scheduled time. There are a number of options available to you:

Come to campus to take exams during the classroom exams (dates listed below).
Set up an alternate time with your instructor to take exams in the classroom.
Take exams in the testing center or at a campus center. Arrange this with your professor at least one week prior to in-class exam date.

Course Schedule

General Schedule

We will cover approximately one topic per week, in this general order:

Installation Options and Virtual Machine Management
Fundamental Command Line Skills
Security Overview- ACLs, Firewalls, SSH
The Boot Process
Storage Management, Filesystems and LVM
Package Management
Scripting
User Administration
Networking
Security Revisited, SELinux
Network Services: DNS, SMTP, iSCSI and NTP
The Apache Web Server
The Samba File Server
Network File System

Other Information

Plagiarism and Cheating

Cheating is obtaining or intentionally giving unauthorized information to create an unfair advantage in an examination, assignment, or classroom situation. Plagiarism is the act of presenting and claimingwords, ideas, data, programming code or creations of others as one’s own. Plagiarism may be intentional – as in a false claim of authorship – or unintentional – as in a failure to document information sources using MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association) Chicago or other style sheets or manuals adopted by instructors at the College. Presenting ideas in the exact or near exact wording as found in source material constitutes plagiarism, as does patching together paraphrased statements without in-text citation. The purchasing or sharing of papers or projects between students or the re-use of papers or projects submitted for more than one assignment or class also constitutes plagiarism.

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated: a grade of zero will be given on the assignment or exam under these circumstances. In certain extreme cases, including multiple offenses, the student will receive a grade of F for the semester.

Accessibility Statement

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work or participation in this class, please contact the Assistant Dean of Student Services/Disabilities Coordinator, Success Coach, or Academic Advisor who will arrange an intake meeting. The Assistant Dean/Coordinator will determine with you what accommodations are necessary, appropriate and reasonable. All information and documentation is confidential.