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FACULTY OF LAW AND BUSINESS
Peter Faber Business School
Brisbane, Melbourne, North Sydney
SEMESTER 1, 2017
ISYS201: IT Infrastructure
UNIT OUTLINE
CREDIT POINTS: 10
Prerequisites: ISYS111 Fundamentals of Business Information SystemsIt is your responsibility as a
student to ensure that you have the prerequisites or co-requisites for a particular unit. You may not enroll
in this unit if you have previously passed, or are currently enrolled in, any unit identified as incompatible
with this unit. If you do not meet these requirements, then you must see your Course Coordinator.
NATIONAL LECTURER IN CHARGE
TEACHING TEAM
All queries should initially be directed to your campus lecturer listed below.
The campus lecturer will consult with the National Lecturer in Charge if necessary.
DESCRIPTION
Name:
Campus:
Peng Lee Po
North Sydney
Office location: Office 11, Level 10, Tenison Woods House, 8-20 Napier Street, North Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 02-97392063
Contact: Via email (preferred) or phone
Monday 11:00am – 3:00pm, Tuesday 12:00pm -2:00pm
Campus:
Name:
North Sydney
Peng Lee Po
Campus:
Name:
Brisbane
Christopher Jeffery
Office location: Office location: Level 3, Saint John Paul II Building, 1100 Nudgee Road,
Banyo
email [email protected]
Telephone: N/A
Contact: Via email (preferred
Telephone: N/A
Contact: Via email (preferred)Page 2 of 11
This unit covers both computer and systems architecture and communication networks, with an overall focus
on the services and capabilities that IT infrastructure solutions enable in an organisational context. It also
focuses on Internet-based solutions, computer and network security, business continuity, and the role of
infrastructure in regulatory compliance.
The unit gives students the knowledge and skills they need to:
communicate with professionals whose special focus is on hardware and systems software
technology;
design organisational processes and software solutions that require in-depth understanding
of IT infrastructure capabilities and limitations, and;
interact with external vendors of IT infrastructure components and solutions.
MODE/ATTENDANCE PATTERN: Mixed mode
Not every request to change tutorials can be accommodated due to various OHSE, university and room size
limitations. As a full-time student you are required to be available to attend classes that commence anytime
from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday. Students who have medical or personal reasons requiring allocation
into certain tutorials are given priority over changes requested due to work commitments. We suggest you
continue to attempt to allocate yourself into your preferred tutorial.
If you have not been able to allocate yourself into a tutorial by Thursday of the week before semester starts,
please resend the request.
DURATION: 12 week-semester
You should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance,
readings and assignment preparation.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. explain how IT infrastructure components are organised into infrastructure solutions in different
organisational environments; (GA 4, 5, 8)
2. describe the role and structure of the Internet as an IT infrastructure component and design
simple infrastructure solutions based on the use of the Internet; (GA 4, 5)
3. describe the principles underlying service virtualisation and the opportunities that virtual
computing service provision models, such as cloud computing, create for organisations; (GA4,
5, 8)
4. discuss the role of IT control and service management frameworks in managing a large-scale
organisational IT infrastructure solution; (GA 4, 5, 8)
5. plan an IT infrastructure solution for a small organisation, including a network based on
standard technology components, servers, security devices, and several different types of
computing clients. The IT infrastructure solution should aim at achieving sustainable global
economy and environmental responsibilities. (GA 4, 5, 8, 10)
GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
Each unit in your course contributes in some way to the development of the ACU Graduate Attributes
which you should demonstrate by the time you complete your course. All Australian universities have their
expected Graduate Attributes – ACU’s Graduate Attributes have a greater emphasis on ethical behaviour
and community responsibility than those of many other universities. All of your units will enable you toPage 3 of 11
develop some attributes.
On successful completion of this unit, you should have developed your ability to:
GA4 think critically and reflectively
GA5 demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline
and/or profession
GA8 locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information
GA10 utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively
CONTENT
Topics will include:
1. Introduction to IT infrastructure.
2. Layered systems architectures.
3. Core elements of IT infrastructure.
4. Similarities and differences of IT infrastructure elements.
5. Organisation of IT infrastructure components.
6. Service virtualisation.
7. Communication protocols.
8. The Internet as a component of IT infrastructure.
9. Large scale organisation IT infrastructure.
10. IT control management frameworks
11. IT service management frameworks.
12. Contemporary trends in IT infrastructure
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND STUDENT FEEDBACK
This unit has been evaluated through the ‘Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching’ (SELT) online
surveys.
This unit outline has been changed based on student feedback and for compliance with university
assessment policies. The number of assessments has been reduced to three. Online quizzes are no
longer graded but are used for formative learning. The weekly practical assessments are replaced by one
practical case study learning activity. The other two assessable items are summary report of online
discussion forum and a final examination.
SELT surveys are usually conducted at the end of the teaching period. Your practical and constructive
feedback is valuable to improve the quality of the unit. Please ensure you complete the SELT survey for
the unit. You can also provide feedback at other times to the unit lecturers, course coordinators and/or
through student representatives.
SCHEDULE
In this unit, there are no on-campus lectures. The information delivery in a traditional lecture is emulated
online with a high level of interactivity. Each week of study is represented using a module that contains 3
sections on Learning Environment Online (LEO):
a) theory – with a study guide explaining theory concepts and an online quiz
b) discussion forum – with a topic that enable to understand the application of theory, express and
exchange ideas, learn from each other, and create an online community
c) practical – with a study guide providing practical knowledge, activities to do and practical submission
links
Each week, students need to read and understand the information related this subject on Learning
Environment Online (LEO).
Study schedulePage 4 of 11
For the most up-to-date information, please check your LEO unit and also note advice from your
lecturing and tutoring staff for changes to this schedule.
Week Starting Theory Description Assessment
1 27/2/17 Introduction IT Infrastructure.
a) Laan, Chapter 1: The definition of IT
infrastructure.
b) Laan, Chapter 2: The Infrastructure Model.
c) Laan, Chapter 3: Trends in IT
Infrastructures.
2 6/3/2017 Networking
a) Laan, Chapter 10: Networking.
b) Stallings & Case, Chapter 3: Distributed
Data Processing.
3 13/3/17 Servers
Laan, Chapter 9: Servers.
4 20/3/17 Storage
Laan, Chapter 11: Storage.
5 27/3/17 Data centres
Laan, Chapter 8: Data Centres.
Task 1 – Summary of
online discussion forum
6 3/4/17 Security
Laan, Chapter 7: Security Concepts.
7 10/4/17 Operating Systems
Laan, Chapter 13: Operating Systems.
17/4/17 UA Common Vacation week
8 24/4/17 End User Devices
Laan, Chapter 14: End User Devices
9 1/5/17 ITIL
Online readings and case studies on Leo
10 8/5/17 Performance
Laan, Chapter 6: Performance Concepts
11 15/5/17 Virtualization
Laan, Chapter 12: Virtualization
Task 2 - Practical
12 22/5/17 Cloud Computing and other trendsPage 5 of 11
Online readings and case studies on LEO
29/5/17 Study week
5/6/17 Formal examinations start
ASSESSMENT
In order to pass this unit, you are required to achieve:
a) an overall mark of at least 50%
b) attempt all three assessment tasks
Assessment tasks Due date Weighting
(%)
Learning
Outcomes
assessed
Graduate
Attributes
assessed
Online Discussion Forum Repo rt Monday Morning on
Week 5 before 12:00PM
20% 1 and 2 GA4,5,8,10
Task 2 - Practical Friday morning on week
11 before 12:00pm
30% 5 GA4,5,8,10
Task 3 – Final Examination Formal examination
Week
50% 1,2,3,4 and 5 GA4,5,8,10
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for you to demonstrate your achievement of each
learning outcome.
Assessment task 1 Written report of online discussion forum
Submit before: Monday morning on Week 5 before 12:00PM
Weighting: 20%
Length and/or format: 800 words (approximate)
Purpose: Personalised understanding of complex concepts through reflection and
collaboration.
Learning outcomes assessed: Student progress towards being able to demonstrate an understanding
of 1,2
How to submit: To be submitted via Turnitin in LEO learning management system.
Return of assignment: Return via LEO
Assessment criteria: See Appendix A
Assessment task 2 Practical- Information Infrastructure design
Submit before: Friday morning on week 11 before 12:00pm
Weighting: 30%Page 6 of 11
Length and/or format: 1200 words (approx.) Written report that include schematic diagrams
of information infrastructure
Purpose: Develop professional skills through the application of theoretical
knowledge and understanding to design IT infrastructure solution for a
small organisation, including a network based on standard technology
components, servers, security devices, and several different types of
computing clients. The infrastructure design should aim at achieving
sustainable global economy and environmental responsibilities.
Learning outcomes assessed: Student progress towards being able to demonstrate an understanding
of learning outcome 5
How to submit: To be submitted via Turnitin in LEO learning management system.
Return of assignment: Return via LEO
Assessment criteria: See Appendix B
Assessment task 3 Final Invigilated examination
Due date: Examination period
Weighting: 50%
Length and/or format: 2 hours
Purpose: Determine knowledge, understanding and skills.
Learning outcomes assessed: Understanding of 1,2,3,4 and 5
Examination conditions: On campus in a computer lab using LEO at a time specified in the
Examination Timetable.
It is a restricted open-book meaning that only ten (10) A4 sheets of
handwritten or typed notes double sided may be used and they are to be
surrendered with answer book at the end of the examination. No other
material may be brought into the examination or accessed using the
computer during the examination.
Assessment criteria: Evidence of knowledge, understanding and skills consistent with the
unit's learning outcomes and at a level expected of a second year
undergraduate.
REFERENCING
PFBS: This Unit requires you to use the Harvard referencing system. See the Academic Skills Unit for
assistance with this.
ACU POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
It is your responsibility to read and familiarise yourself with ACU policies and regulations, including
regulations on examinations; review and appeals; acceptable use of IT facilities; and conduct and
responsibilities. For services and support in relation to ACU policies see the ACU Handbook.
Assessment Policy and Procedures
You must read the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedures in ACU Handbook. In particular, the
rules on deadlines: penalties for late submission; extensions; and special consideration. For queries onPage 7 of 11
Assessment Policy, see your Lecturer in Charge.
Word limits
Word limits will be enforced with penalties. The marking penalty for exceeding the word limit will be
calculated as follows: 5% of the total available marks for the piece of work will be deducted from the
student’s mark for each 10% or part thereof by which the number of words in the student’s piece of work
exceeds the relevant word limit.
Late submission
Unless an extension is granted, essays/assignments submitted after the due date will incur a 5% per
calendar day penalty based on the maximum marks available for that assessment task. This penalty will run
up to a maximum of 15%. Assessment tasks received more than three calendar days after the due or
extended date will not be allocated a mark. Note: The 5% penalty will be incurred for each whole or part of a
calendar day that the work is overdue.
Extensions
For extension of time for assessments, please click here. Timely submission is critical.
Academic integrity
You have the responsibility to submit only work which is your own, or which properly acknowledges the
thoughts, ideas, findings and/or work of others. See the Framework for Academic Integrity and the
Academic Honesty Policy.
Please read them, and note in particular that plagiarism, collusion and recycling of assignments are not
acceptable. Penalties for academic dishonesty can vary in severity, and can include being excluded from
the course.
Turnitin
The ‘Turnitin’ application (a text-matching tool) will be used in this unit, in order to enable:
students to improve their academic writing by identifying possible areas of poor citation and
referencing in their written work; and
teaching staff to identify areas of possible plagiarism in students’ written work.
While Turnitin can help in identifying problems with plagiarism, avoiding plagiarism is more important.
Information on avoiding plagiarism is available from the Academic Skills Unit.
For any assignment that has been created to allow submission through Turnitin (check the Assignment
submission details for each assessment task), you should submit your draft well in advance of the due
date (ideally, several days before) to ensure that you have time to work on any issues identified by
Turnitin. On the assignment due date, lecturers will have access to your final submission, and the Turnitin
Originality Report.
STUDENT SUPPORT
If you are experiencing difficulties with learning, life issues or pastoral/spiritual concerns, or have a
disability/medical condition which may impact on your studies, you are advised to notify your Lecturer in
Charge, Course Coordinator and/or one of the services listed below as soon as possible. For all aspects of
support please contact the Student Services and Support which can assist you with the following:
Academic Skills offers a variety of services, including workshops (on topics such as assignment
writing, time management, reading strategies, referencing), drop-in sessions, group appointments
and individual consultations. It has a 24-hour online booking system for individual or groupPage 8 of 11
consultations.
Campus Ministry offers pastoral care, spiritual leadership and opportunities for you to be
involved with community projects.
The Counselling Service is a free, voluntary, confidential and non-judgmental service open to all
students and staffed by qualified social workers or registered psychologists.
Disability Services can assist you if you need educational adjustments because of a disability or
chronic medical condition; please contact them as early as possible.
Indigenous student communities and support on each campus provide information and support
for students.
The Student Advocacy Service is an information, advice and referral service.
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) can improve your marks and increase your academic
success.
IT information and resources assist you with your IT needs at ACU.
AskACU is a first point of contact for all enquiries for your proposed or current studies.
Careers and Opportunities services can assist you with finding employment, preparing a resume
and employment application and preparing for interviews.
ONLINE RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
The LEO page for this unit contains further readings/ discussion forums.
https://leo.acu.edu.au/course/view.php?id=23231
In addition, for this unit you will be required to use the following technologies: any word processing
software, diagramming software for Information technology Infrastructure, ePortfolio
TEXTS AND REFERENCES:
Required text(s)
Laan S 2013, Infrastructure Architecture - Infrastructure Building Blocks and Concepts, 2nd Edn, Lulu
Press.
Recommended references
Burd S 2016, Systems architecture, 7th edn, Course Technology, Boston, MA.
Kurose JF & Ross KW 2016, Computer Networking A Top-Down Approach,7th edn, Addison Wesley, New
Jersey.
Lee G 2014, Cloud Networking Understanding Cloud-based Data Center Networks. Elsevier Science,
Burlington
Mansfield K 2009, Computer networking for LANS to WANS: hardware, software and security, Delmar
Cengage Learning, London.
Null L & Labor J 2014, The essentials of computer organization and architecture, 4th edn, Jones & Bartlett
Publishers, Sudbury, MA.
Pfleeger C & Pfleeger S 2015, Security in Computing, 5th edn, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
Santana,G 2013, Data Center Virtualization Fundamentals: Understanding Techniques and Designs for
Highly Efficient Data Centers with Cisco Nexus, UCS, MDS, and Beyond, Cisco Press, Indianapolis.Page 9 of 11
Stallings W & Case T 2013, Business data communications : Infrastructure, networking and security, 7th edn
Pearson, Boston.
Rountree D & Castrillo I 2013, The Basics of Cloud Computing Understanding the Fundamentals of Cloud
Computing in Theory and Practice. Elsevier Science, Burlington.
Further references
Will be provided via Leo
Extended reading
Will be provided via LeoAPPENDIX
APPENDIX A RUBRIC – ASSESSMENT 1: ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM (TOTAL MARKS = 20)
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
1. explain how IT infrastructure components are organised into infrastructure solutions in different organisational environments;
2. describe the role and structure of the Internet as an IT infrastructure component and design simple infrastructure solutions based on the use of the
Internet;
ILOs Criteria
Standards
Below Expectations Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
Level 1 (e.g. F) Level 2 (e.g. P) Level 3 (e.g. C) Level 4 (e.g. D) Level 5 (e.g. HD)
1&2 Well written report
demonstrating
reflection and indepth analysis.
(50%)
No report or poorly
written.
Less than adequate quality. Adequate quality. Well written report. Excellent report.
1&2 Appropriate LEO
URL and timestamp
references. (16.67%)
Inappropriate or no
references.
Some appropriate references. Mostly appropriate
references.
All references
appropriate.
Comprehensive
references and all
appropriate.
1&2 Took initiative to
provide original
answers and
constructive
responses to other
students’
contributions.
(16.67%)
No or very few relevant
postings and responses,
mainly repetition of other
people’s postings.
Mostly relevant postings and
responses, demonstrating
adequate understanding and
insight.
Always relevant postings
and responses,
demonstrating adequate
understanding and insight.
Always relevant postings
and responses
demonstrating good
understanding and
insight.
Postings and responses
demonstrating excellent
understanding and
insight.
1&2 Posted timely
contributions; hence
allowing for
adequate
conferencing.
(16.66%)
Little or no participation
and collaboration,
postings always or usually
late.
Some participation and
collaboration, postings
usually timely.
Adequate participation
and collaboration,
postings usually timely.
Regular and consistent
participation and
collaboration, postings
always timely.
Active participation and
collaboration, postings
always timely, actively
encouraged interaction.Appendix B
GRADING RUBRIC FOR PRACTICAL- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN (TOTAL MARKS =30 MARKS)
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
5. Plan an IT infrastructure solution for a small organisation, including a network based on standard technology components, servers, security devices,
and several different types of computing clients. The IT infrastructure solution should aim at achieving sustainable global economy and environmental
responsibilities
ILO Criteria
Standards
Below Expectations Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
Level 1 (e.g. F) Level 2 (e.g. P) Level 3 (e.g. C) Level 4 (e.g. D) Level 5 (e.g. HD)
5 A report which demonstrates
thorough understanding of
the context within which
projects are implemented and
a realistic approach to
achieving project success.
(15 Marks)
No submission or
submission containing
little or no material
relevant to a potential
project sponsor.
Many omissions and/or
inconsistencies such that a
potential project sponsor
would not consider offering
the project to the student.
Some omissions and/or
inconsistencies which
might raise some
concerns in a potential
project sponsor as to the
student's capabilities
and/or motivation.
Sufficient detail such that
a potential project
sponsor could be satisfied
the student is aware of
and understands all
obvious relevant issues.
All relevant information
provided leaving little or
no need for follow-up
questions from a
potential project sponsor.
5 A well-structured and
understandable report
appropriate for an audience
of project sponsors. (15
Marks)
No submission or material
in the submission
incomprehensible.
Submitted late
and/or
much too long or too short
and/or
illogical structure or
inconsistent style.
Submitted on time and of
adequate size but not
demonstrating a serious
attempt to engage the
audience and/or cater to
the audience's
expectations and
requirements.
A serious attempt to cater
to the expectations of a
potential project sponsor
but nonetheless with
opportunities to improve
in structure, presentation
etc.
A clear, concise, wellstructured and easily
understood
communication.