Module Details

Module Code: COMH8001
Title: Enterprise Storage Systems
Long Title: Enterprise Storage Systems
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5231 - Computer Hardware
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module provides a comprehensive overview of storage technologies for complex Information Technology (IT) environments. The module addresses the features of Intelligent Storage Systems (ISS) and networked storage technologies, with an emphasis on security, efficiency, and virtualisation.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Analyse and describe the architecture and components of an Intelligent Storage System (ISS).
LO2 Justify the implementation of a range of storage solutions to enable business continuity.
LO3 Discuss Storage Area Network (SAN) and SAN virtualisation.
LO4 Design and implement a storage solution based on an organisations requirements.
LO5 Manage a storage solution and apply appropriate security measures.
LO6 Optimise a global storage solution so that it can be delivered successfully from the cloud.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Intelligent Storage System
Components and benefits of the Intelligent Storage System.
Storage Networking Technologies and Virtualisation
Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) architecture, Storage Area Network (SAN) attributes, components, topologies, connectivity options and zoning. FC protocol stack, addressing, flow control, and classes of service. Networked Attached Storage (NAS) components, protocols, IP Storage Area Network (IP SAN) iSCSI, FCIP and FCoE architecture.
Storage Backup & Recovery
Business Continuity measurement, terminologies, and planning. Backup design, architecture, topologies, and technologies in SAN and NAS environments. Local and Remote replication using host and array-based replication technologies such as Synchronous and Asynchronous methods. Data archival; Content Addressed Storage (CAS) elements, storage, and retrieval processes.
Storage Security and Management
Storage strategy and governance; security and regulations. Designing secure solutions; the considerations and implementations involved. Storage security framework and various security domains. Security implementation in SAN, NAS, and IP-SAN networking. Monitoring and Storage management activities and challenges.
Storage infrastructure virtualisation
Block-level and file-level storage virtualisation technology & virtual provisioning. Storage network virtualisation; VLAN, VSAN
Cloud Optimised Storage
Global storage management locations, scalability, operational efficiency. Global storage distribution; terabytes to petabytes and greater. Policy based information management; metadata attitudes; file systems or object storage.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,3
Assessment Description
Assessment of students' understanding of storage architectures, processes and components, the storage solutions available to enable business continuity & the SAN.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 11 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,5,6
Assessment Description
Examination of students' ability to complete a series of storage tasks, previously practised in the lab, and underpinning the theoretical material.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 30
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Assessment Description
Lab report on a small scale storage project. This includes analysis of security and governance requirements, design and implementation.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture underpinning learning outcomes defined Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Storage Lab Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent Study. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture underpinning learning outcomes defined Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Storage Lab Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Student work and study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • EMC. (2012), Information Storage and Management, 2nd. John Wiley & Sons, [ISBN: 9781118094839].
  • Richard Barker, Paul Massiglia. (2008), Storage Area Network Essentials: A Complete Guide To Understanding And Implementing Sans, Wiley, [ISBN: 9788126518586].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Ulf Troppens, Rainer Erkens, Wolfgang Mueller-Friedt, Rainer Wolafka, Nils Haustein. (2015), Storage Networks Explained, 2nd. Wiley, [ISBN: 9788126557424].
  • W. Curtis Preston. (2002), Using SANs and NAS, O'Reilly & Associates, Sebastopol, Calif., [ISBN: 9780596001537].
  • Himanshu Dwivedi. (2005), Securing Storage, Addison-Wesley, Upper Saddle River, NJ, [ISBN: 9780321349958].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KITMN_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in IT Management 7 Mandatory