Module Details

Module Code: COMP7036
Title: Linux Administration
Long Title: Linux Administration
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4811 - Computer Science
Module Delivered in: 6 programme(s)
Module Description: Linux has grown into an industry-leading software and service delivery platform that is used for everything from super computers and Web servers to virtualised systems and your Android phone. This growth creates a high demand for qualified Linux professionals. In this module students will acquire the skills and knowledge you need to successfully configure, manage and troubleshoot Linux systems. This module covers topics such as file management and manipulation,advanced command line use, package management, filesystems, logging, performance evaluation, hardware, creating a custom kernel and more.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Implement performance monitoring, task scheduling and logging capabilities in a Linux system.
LO2 Administer and appraise essential system services at different runlevels.
LO3 Develop sophisticated bash scripting capabilities to perform complex system administrative tasks.
LO4 Build partitions for various linux filesystems and employ associated administration tasks.
LO5 Develop and configure a custom Linux kernel including essential services.
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
Performance, Scheduling and Logging
Monitor performance in memory; CPU utilization, tuning, processor speed, fixing bottlenecks. Process priorities: PR + nice values. Use tools such as at and cron to run tasks at a future time and periodically; e.g. backup. Process monitoring commands such as sar, iostat & mpstat. syslog, syslog levels, log categories, securing log data.
Services
Implement services such as NFS, ssh & xinedt. Changing run-levels. Start and stop daemons, add and remove services to automatically load at boot time (in different run-levels); develop a simple daemon and add to a run-level directory.
Advanced Bash Scripting
Regular expressions, I/O redirection, process substitution, streams, pipes, indirect referencing, function complexities, aliases, zeros and nulls, debugging.
Filesystems
Create partitions and filesystems, maintain the integrity of filesystems, control mounting and unmounting of filesystems, manage disk quotas, manage file permissions and ownership, create and change hard and symbolic links, find system files and place files in the correct location.
Building a Custom Kernel
Preparing virtual kernel file-systems, essential Files and symlinks, filesystem creation, package manager creation, essential bootscripts, bootscript configuration, creating login shell capability, creating default filesystem mount points, setting up the boot process. Setting up a custom linux distribution such as gentoo.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Multiple Choice Questions assessing the theoretical content delivered in class.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4
Assessment Description
In lab practical test assessing students bash scripting to automate tasks and knowledge and application of theory on filesystem on a linux OS.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 40
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 4,5
Assessment Description
Student is expected to develop and deploy a custom Linux distribution, e.g. gentoo.
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 Weekly lectures covering essential theory. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Weekly labs to support lectures. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact Weekly student independent learning. 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 Weekly lectures covering essential theory. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Weekly labs to support lectures. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact Weekly student independent learning. 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
  • Christopher Negus. (2020), Linux Bible, 10th Ed. John Wiley & Sons, p.934, [ISBN: 9781119578888].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Daniel J. Barrett. (2016), Linux Pocket Guide, 3rd Ed. O'Reilly Media, p.0, [ISBN: 9781491927571].
  • Arnold Robbins. (2016), Bash Pocket Reference, 2nd. O'Reilly Press, p.100, [ISBN: 9781491941591].
  • Sam R. Alapati. (2017), Modern Linux Administration: How to Become a Cutting-Edge Linux Administrator, O'Reilly, [ISBN: 9781491935958].
  • Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder, Trent Hein, Ben Whaley and Dan Macklin. (2017), Unix and Linux System Administration Handbook, 5th edition. Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 9780134277554].
  • Jason Cannon. (2016), Linux Administration: The Linux Operating System and Command Line Guide for Linux Administrators, CreateSpace, [ISBN: 9781523915958].
  • Yang Lixiang. (2014), The Art of Linux Kernel Design, Routledge, [ISBN: 9781466518032].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KSDEV_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development 3 Elective
CR_KDNET_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Systems 3 Elective
CR_KITMN_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in IT Management 3 Mandatory
CR_KITSP_7 Bachelor of Science in Information Technology 3 Mandatory
CR_KCOMP_7 Bachelor of Science in Software Development 3 Elective
CR_KCOME_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Software Development 3 Elective