This unit will provide students with a general introduction to system administration. On completion of the unit, students are equipped to administer enterprise computer systems that meet enterprise users requirements for functionality, capacity, performance, availability, scalability, and security. The unit will focus on four main topics of administration: Unix system administration; Microsoft Windows administration; Network administration; Web and Database administration.

The unit will begin with an overview of security assurance issues that must be considered by an administrator and then embedded within each topic security measures will be investigated.

Unix Administration: This unit provides a practical introduction to Unix system administration. The subject area covers fundamentals of system administration, system users and resource management. Students will learn to create scripts for automating administrative tasks. The main topics covered include user and group creation, applying security permissions and resource management.

Network Security Administration: The unit will provide students with fundamentals and theoretical foundations of network security administration. Students will acquire practical skills needed to plan the protection of a network, and to respond to attacks. Common attacks will be undertaken and defended against, after also examining the theory that enables them to work. We will also examine the role and function of several network security protocols.

Web and Database Administration: This unit introduces students to the role of administering databases and Web servers. We will examine the usage of both IIS and Apache, and look at common attacks that are carried out against websites and databases, and implement preventative measures.

Microsoft Windows Administration: This unit provides a practical introduction to Microsoft Windows systems administration. Students will learn about the administration of users and groups on this platform, implementing security policies, WSUS server, and applications for delivery to other network hosts. The unit requires configuration of both server and workstations.