Unit Title Network Administration Level 6 Assessment Type Coursework % Weighting 60% Word count (inc equivalent or duration 2400 Programme Title BSc Network Administration & Cloud Computing Assignment Title Administering an effective network environment. Submission Deadline DRAFT = 09-12-2016 FINAL = 06-01-2017 Submission Method/Arrangements Upload via Moodle – linking to submit.ac.uk Turnitin Code (where applicable) Code not required, submission through Moodle credentials of student's TMC account. Assessment Task Overview Students are to produce a piece of coursework that highlights administrative duties when configuring networks. They are to reflect on all aspects of topics discussed and research alternative methods. Learning Outcomes to be assessed (from Unit specification) LO1. Create network services administration and roll out, within a network LO2. Critically evaluate Mail Service Administration within a Windows Server environment LO3. Design and implement Distributed File System Administration to a given scenario. Unit Description Brief Summary This unit is intended to introduce both professional and technical issues associated with the correct and proper management and administration of computer and network based systems and services. The module will also introduce "methodologies" to underpin the theoretical concepts and specialist understanding of the issues faced when making decisions in the field of computer networking. The unit further allows contextualisation of the theory through practical implementation in designing and using various elements of a corporate network and an understanding of selected topics of current relevance to the subject area. Indicative Content TCP/IP Network Administration The unit will provide information needed to set up and run TCP/IP. The areas covered will include information about configuring Internet addresses and describes how to use TCP/IP commands and files to implement a wide range of TCP/IP features. Firstly the introduction to important TCP/IP concepts familiar as an administrator. The unit will cover some features in depth, such as domain name service and troubleshooting. This will be organised into the following categories: • Introduction to Administering TCP/IP Networks describes the concepts needed to understand to effectively do administration for systems. • Setting up TCP/IP which contains step-by-step procedures for many basic tasks needed to do as an administrator. • Setting up Routers and Subnet-works will demonstrate how to expand and manage growing systems. • Managing TCP/IP Nodes Using SNMP will demonstrate how to use SNMP to perform network monitoring and management functions. • Using Domain Name Service with TCP/IP will describe the concepts and procedures relating to domain name service. • Troubleshooting and Tuning TCP/IP will enable students how to diagnose problems and tune systems to improve TCP/IP performance. • Obtaining IP Addresses will demonstrate how to obtain and complete IP address registration forms. • Obtaining Domain Names will describe how to obtain and complete domain name registration forms. • Network Time Synchronisation will describe how to synchronise time among the machines on networks. • Passive and Active administration of networks • DFS - Distributed File System. Client and server services that allow servers to organise distributed file shares into a distributed file system. • MSA - The managed service account is designed to provide crucial applications such as IIS with the isolation of their own domain accounts, while eliminating the need for an administrator to manually administer the service principal name (SPN) and credentials for these accounts. • NSA - Network service administration involves a wide array of operational tasks that help a network to run smoothly and efficiently. Without network administration, it would be difficult for all but the smallest networks to maintain network operations. • The unit handbook will include detailed content. Learning Outcomes Unit Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this unit students will be able to: LO1. Create network services administration and roll out, within a network LO2. Critically evaluate Mail Service Administration within a Windows Server environment LO3. Design and implement Distributed File System Administration to a given scenario LO4. Apply Remote Procedure Call Administration LO5. Demonstrate knowledge of Network Information Service Administration Use systems and scenario thinking. 2 Engage with stakeholder/interdisciplinary perspectives. Element 1: Learners will produce a report that will formulate and present technical arguments pertaining to the investigation of designing, implementing and evaluating a solution to a given scenario which requires Network Service Administration, Managed Service Accounts and Distributed File system configuration. The report of 2,400 words will be required linked to the learning outcomes specified. Element 2: Practical observation: Learners will be given a scenario that they must utilise the skills and techniques they have learnt throughout this unit they will undertake a practical summative observation. This will allow them to contextualise their studies to a real world scenario. Utilising a range of tools and techniques, students will be graded on the depth of their understanding and techniques. This is an observational assessment taking 3 hours to complete, and will be documented by the assessor with discussion and implementation of Network Service Administration, Managed Service Accounts and Distributed File system configurations. Assignment Task Learners will produce a report that will formulate and present technical arguments pertaining to the investigation of designing, implementing and evaluating a solution to a given scenario which requires Network Service Administration, Managed Service Accounts and Distributed File system configuration. The report of 2,400 words will be required linked to the learning outcomes specified. Scenario: Company A has asked you to implement a network environment for their employees to work from. The company consists of a total of 50 employees. These employees are located in the following departments. Customer Services - 12 people Sales – 10 people Marketing – 10 people R&D – 10 people Management – 5 people IT Support Services – 3 people The company requires an infrastructure that protects its data, implements security so that only authorised staff can access the data they require and staff are required to communicate via email. Alternative solutions should be reported upon to better inform the management of the various approaches they can take, although a working example is required. The staff at the company are limited in their IT knowledge, except the IT Support Department, so an easy naming convention is necessary for the staff to use. Grade Descriptors To achieve a 1st class degree (M ≥ 70%you must produce a creative, illuminating, inspiring and authoritative report. To achieve a 2.1 class degree (60% ≤ M ≤ 69%) you must produce a persuasive, reflective, critical and convincing report. To achieve a 2.2 class degree (50% ≤ M ≤ 59%) you must produce a clear, consistent, accurate and coherent report. To achieve a 3rd class degree (40% ≤ M ≤ 49%) you must produce a satisfactory and descriptive report. To achieve a 1st class degree you must also produce a report meeting all requirements for the below classifications, this is the same to obtain a 2.1 and 2.2 classification. Assessment Criteria 1. You task, to complete LO1, is to create, and reflect upon, a network services administration roll out. (30%) • Detail an Active Directory configuration and the architecture that reflects the administrative scope of the company employees. (10%) • Propose a detailed Implementation of GPOs with password policies which reflect the hierarchical structure of the company. (10%) • Reflect upon the design, source evidence and literature to support your design and to offer alternative solutions. (10%) 2. To complete LO2 you must implement and evaluate the effective administration of the mail service being used within this scenario. (40%) • Propose how a mail server could be implemented within the network environment. (15%) • Evaluate and reflect upon the implementation method/s used. (25%) 3. And for LO3 you must, separate the data each department will utilises by incorporating distributed file services for security and data protection. (30%) • Propose a DFS configuration for each department using a naming convention. (10%) • Suggest appropriate permissions to folder structures for data security. (10%) • Evaluate the effectiveness of your security suggestion and provide alternative methods. (10%) Assessment Criteria 1. You task, to complete LO3, is to create, and administer, a series of DFS shares. (40%) • Configure DFS as a Role/Feature. (15%) • Implement three DFS shares. (15%) • Test the use ability and practicality of the DFS shares. (10%) 2. To complete LO4 you must configure and demonstrate a central point of management for the servers in the environment you create. (30%) • Implement a server that can administer additional servers from a single point using the Microsoft Management Console, using the RPC protocol. (15%) • Test the use, practicality and security. (15%) 3. And for LO5 you must show your knowledge of network administration by completing a useable, holistic network setup. (30%) • Configure Active Directory with the required users and groups. (10%) • Create a structured Active Directory with departmental organisation. (10%) • Allocate users into groups according to their job role and departmental allocations. (10%) Assignment Task Within class you are to create a virtual network that is designed for the company (Company A) from your assignment, this will give you an administration structure. You are to install an Active Directory, DNS and DHCP server. In additional you must also make use of a managed service account and Distributed File Shares- 3 shares will be sufficient. You must also configure group policy, this will be in the form of extension and Google Chrome being controlled by group policy on clients. Windows Server 2012 R2 will be the OS of choice and you must show how RPC (remote Procedure Call Administration) can be utilised. The task will be three hours in length.