Module Details

Module Code: COMH9004
Title: Cloud Storage Infrastructures
Long Title: Cloud Storage Infrastructures
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2020/21 ( September 2020 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5231 - Computer Hardware
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module provides a comprehensive view of storage infrastructure for cloud based, virtualised and hyperconverged systems enabling IT-as-a-Service solutions. Cloud storage is a service model in which data is maintained, managed, backed up remotely and made available to users on-demand over a network as a shared pool of configurable storage that can be rapidly provisioned and released. As part of this module the student will learn how to create and manage storage for a virtualised data centre and hyperconverged cloud environment.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Analyse the components of a virtualised data centre and appraise the role of storage in it.
LO2 Design a information storage strategy for a cloud environment with due consideration for customer and regulatory requirements.
LO3 Evaluate the provisioning, management and optimisation of a cloud based storage solution.
LO4 Appraise the various cloud vendor storage technologies to implement cloud storage or hyperconverged solutions.
LO5 Analyse how best to provide reliable access to information both locally and remotely using storage technologies.
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
Virtualised Data Center Architecture
Cloud infrastructures; public, private, hybrid. Service provider interfaces; Saas, Paas, Iaas. VDC environments; concept, planning and design, business continuity and disaster recovery principles. Managing VDC, hyperconverged and cloud environments and infrastructures.
Information Storage
Storage strategy and governance; security and regulations. Designing secure solutions; the considerations and implementations involved. Securing storage in virtualised and cloud environments. Monitoring and management; security auditing and SIEM.
Storage Technologies
Architecture of storage, analysis and planning. Storage network design considerations; NAS and FC SANs, hybrid storage, Hyperconverged technologies (iSCSI, FCIP, FCoE, Object), design for storage virtualisation in cloud computing, host system design and containerized application design considerations.
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.
Information Availability Design
Designing backup/recovery solutions to guarrantee data availability in a virtualised environment. Design a replication solution, local remote and advanced. Investigate Replication in NAS and SAN environments. Data archiving solutions; analysing compliance and archiving design considerations.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1
Assessment Description
The student will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the data storage concepts, investigate and research a particular topic relevant to the appropriate technology area of data storage.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 2,5
Assessment Description
As part of a case study the student will be expected to design a storage solution taking into consideration all the facets, costs, performance and other nuances influencing it.
Assessment Type Oral Examination/Interview % of Total Mark 25
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,5
Assessment Description
The student will be expected to present and defend the design of a storage solution and create, provision and manage the storage solution.
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. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Lab supporting content delivered. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent study. Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture underpinning learning outcomes. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Lab supporting content delivered. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent study. Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Greg Schulz. (2017), Software-Defined Data Infrastructure Essentials: Cloud, Converged, and Virtual Fundamental Server Storage I/O Tradecraf, 1st. Auerbach Publications, U.S.A, p.672, [ISBN: 978-149873815].
  • Sam Halabi. (2018), Hyperconverged Infrastructure for Data Centers: Demystifying HCI, 1st. Cisco Press, U.S.A, p.400, [ISBN: 978-158714510].
  • Greg Schulz. (2011), Cloud and Virtual Data Storage Networking, Auerbach Publications, [ISBN: 9781439851739].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • EMC. (2012), Information Storage and Management, 2nd. Wiley, [ISBN: 9781118094839].
  • Jon William Toigo. (1999), The Holy Grail of Data Storage Management, 1st. Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 9780130130556].
  • Marty Poniatowski. (2009), Foundations of Green IT, Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 9780137043750].
  • Volker Herminghaus, Albrecht Scriba. (2009), Storage Management in Data Centers, Springer, [ISBN: 9783540850229].
  • Klaus Schmidt. (2009), High Availability and Disaster Recovery, Springer, [ISBN: 9783642063794].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KCLDC_9 Master of Science in Cloud Computing 1 Mandatory