CSC 586: Linux System Administration and Security - Summer 2024 - 100% online asynchronous
General Information
- Semester: Summer 2025
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Class Meeting Time: N/A
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Instructor: Linh B. Ngo
- Office: UNA 138
- Summer Office Hours: By Appointment Only
- Email: lngo AT wcupa DOT edu
- Phone: 610-436-2595
Course Information
- The course runs from May 29, 2025 until June 30, 2025. It is a fully online course.
- The course is 100% asynchrounous.
- All class materials and recorded links to the lectures will be provided via D2L.
Required Materials:
- We will utilize the following textbook in this course:
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"Unix and Linux System Administration Handbook 5th Edition by Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder, Trent R. Hein, Ben Whaley, and Dan Mackin.
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You are expected to have a computer system that meets the minimum expectations as outlined by West Chester University Information Services on the Recommended Student Computer Configuration. You need a working web-camera and microphone.
Resources and Accessibility:
- For general technical support, students can contact WCU IT HelpDesk at 610-436-3350 or via email: helpdesk@wcupa.edu.
- For distance education support, students can contact WCU Distance Education Services at 610-436-3373 or via email: distanceed@wcupa.edu.
- A Discord server will be created and invitation link made available inside D2L. Technical questions specific to online competition platforms used in the course can be sent via email to the instructor or posted on the Discord server.
Course Description
This course is a hands-on study of operating system administration essentials with a focus on systems security and time in the lab. Additionally, various script languages are taught to provide a basis for understanding and extending the system capabilities.
Learning Objectives
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLO)
- Be able to write programs in the Bash scripting language.
- Be able to configure the Linux OS on a system
- Be able to install and configure various critical services including network file systems and firewalls.
MS in CS Program Objectives (CSPO):
- Be well prepared to enter a career.
- Be able to apply their course learnings to research career in an industrial setting.
- Be exposed to the latest, cutting-edge technology.
Assessments and Grading:
Grade Scale:
| Grade | Quality Points | Percentage | Equivalents Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4 | - | Superior graduate attainment |
| A- | 3.67 | - | - |
| B+ | 3.33 | - | Satisfactory graduate attainment |
| B | 3 | - | - |
| B- | 2.67 | - | - |
| C+ | 2.33 | - | Attainment below graduate expectations |
| C | 2 | - | - |
| C- | 1.67 | - | - |
| F | 0 | < 70% | Failure |
D grades are not used. Refer to the Graduate Catalog for description of NG (No Grade), W, & other grades.
Assessments:
| Assessment | % of Final Grade | Course Objectives Assessed | Program Objectives Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 40% | 1 | 1,2,3 |
| Labs | 40% | 1,2 | 1 |
| Quizzes | 20% | 2,3 | 1,2,3 |
- Assignments: Write various scripting programs to automate the installation and configuration process
- Labs: Deploy complex Linux infrastructures with proper configuration and security options
- Quizzes: Weekly long quizzes (20-30 minutes) that aim to assess understanding of theoretical concepts necessary to support the tasks decribed in the assignments and labs.
Lateness Policy:
Assignments that are late are assessed a 10% per day late penalty. Saturday and Sunday are each days.
Course Topics and Schedules
- Quizzes are typically disseminated once a week.
| Week | Topic | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linux, A Brief History | |
| Linux system administrators | ||
| Introduction to the Linux shell | ||
| Access control | Quiz 1, Lab 1 due | |
| 2 | Process control | |
| The filesystem | ||
| User management | ||
| Softwre installation and configuration | Quiz 2, Assignment 1 due | |
| 3 | Linux scripting | |
| Networked file system | Quiz 3 | |
| Networked file system Lab | Assignment 2 due | |
| 4 | Single Sign On | |
| Single Sign On with Remote Storage Lab | Quiz 4 | |
| 5 | Practice Labs | |
| Introduction to Docker | Lab 2 due |
University Policies
Academic & Personal Integrity
It is the responsibility of each student to adhere to the university’s standards for academic integrity. Violations of academic integrity include any act that violates the rights of another student in academic work, that involves misrepresentation of your own work, or that disrupts the instruction of the course. Other violations include (but are not limited to): cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing, which means copying any part of another’s work and/or using ideas of another and presenting them as one’s own without giving proper credit to the source; selling, purchasing, or exchanging of term papers; falsifying of information; and using your own work from one class to fulfill the assignment for another class without significant modification. Proof of academic misconduct can result in the automatic failure and removal from this course. For questions regarding Academic Integrity, the No-Grade Policy, Sexual Harassment, or the Student Code of Conduct, students are encouraged to refer to the Department Undergraduate Handbook, the Undergraduate Course Catalog, the Ram’s Eye View, or the University Website.
Accomodations for Students with Disabilities
West Chester University is committed to providing equitable access to the full WCU experience for Golden Rams of all abilities. Students should contact the Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA) to establish accommodations if they have had accommodations in the past or if they believe they may be eligible for accommodations due to a disability, whether or not it may be readily apparent. There is no deadline for disclosing to OEA or for requesting to use approved accommodations in a given course. However, accommodations can only be applied to future assignments or exams; that is, they can’t be applied retroactively. Please share your letter from OEA as soon as possible so that we can discuss accommodations. If you have concerns related to disability discrimination, please contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or 610-436-2433
The University’s Americans with Disabilities policy is available on the website. If you encounter an area of this course that is not accessible to you, please contact me.
University-Excused Absences Policy
Students are advised to carefully read and comply with the University-Excused Absences Policy, including absences for university-sanctioned events, contained in the WCU Undergraduate Catalog. In particular, please note that the responsibility for meeting academic requirements rests with the student, that this policy does not excuse students from completing required academic work, and that professors can require a fair alternative to attendance on those days that students must be absent from class in order to participate in a University-Sanctioned Event.
Reporting Incidents of Sexual Violence
West Chester University and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational environment for all students. In order to comply with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the University’s commitment to offering supportive measures in accordance with the new regulations issued under Title IX, the University requires faculty members to report incidents of sexual violence shared by students to the University's Title IX Coordinator. The only exceptions to the faculty member's reporting obligation are when incidents of sexual violence are communicated by a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as part of a University-approved research project. Faculty members are obligated to report sexual violence or any other abuse of a student who was, or is, a child (a person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred to the person designated in the University Protection of Minors Policy. Information regarding the reporting of sexual violence and the resources that are available to victims of sexual violence is set forth at the WCUPA Sexual Misconduct website.
Inclusive Learning Environment and Anti-Racist Statement
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to West Chester University’s mission as reflected in our Mission Statement, Values Statement, Vision Statement and Strategic Plan: Pathways to Student Success. We disavow racism and all actions that silence, threaten, or degrade historically marginalized groups in the U.S. We acknowledge that all members of this learning community may experience harm stemming from forms of oppression including but not limited to classism, ableism, heterosexism, sexism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia, and recognize that these forms of oppression are compounded by racism.
Our core commitment as an institution of higher education shapes our expectation for behavior within this learning community, which represents diverse individual beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences. Courteous and respectful behavior, interactions, and responses are expected from all members of the University. We must work together to make this a safe and productive learning environment for everyone. Part of this work is recognizing how race and other aspects of who we are shape our beliefs and our experiences as individuals. It is not enough to condemn acts of racism. For real, sustainable change, we must stand together as a diverse coalition against racism and oppression of any form, anywhere, at any time.
Resources for education and action are available through WCU’s Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), DEI committees within departments or colleges, the student ombudsperson, and centers on campus committed to doing this work (e.g., Dowdy Multicultural Center, Center for Women and Gender Equity, and the Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy).
Guidance on how to report incidents of discrimination and harassment is available at the University’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Emergency Preparedness
All students are encouraged to sign up for the University’s free WCU ALERT service, which delivers official WCU emergency text messages directly to your cell phone. For more information, visit https://www.wcupa.edu/wcualert. To report an emergency, call the Department of Public Safety at 610-436-3311.
Electronic Mail Policy
It is expected that faculty, staff, and students activate and maintain regular access to University provided e-mail accounts. Official university communications, including those from your instructor, will be sent through your university e-mail account. You are responsible for accessing that mail to be sure to obtain official University communications. Failure to access will not exempt individuals from the responsibilities associated with this course.
Resources for Student Success
Expectations for Student Success in Distance Education
An online course uses technology to provide you, the student, with greater flexibility regarding when and where you learn. To be a successful online learner you must capitalize on this increased flexibility by doing the following.
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Self-Motivation and Self-Discipline: Active participation in online activities is expected. This means that you login to the course frequently, engage with the provided materials, and read and respond to communications in a timely and thoughtful manner. Online courses require you to take more responsibility for your learning. -
Planning and Organization: You will need disciplined work habits, effective time management skills, and the ability to work both alone and collaboratively if you wish to be successful in an online course. You should expect to devote 9 to 12 hours per week to this course.
You may find that you need to work harder than you would in a traditional lecture class. -
Communication Skills: In an online course communication takes place primarily through the written word. You need strong English reading and writing skills to express your thoughts. Online courses also expect you to proactively reach out to your instructor for assistance when you need it. Finally, pay attention to communication guidelines and be respectful of your fellow students when you communicate.
Minimum Student Technical Skills
You are expected to be competent in the use of computers, the World Wide Web, and commonly used software programs such as the Microsoft Office Suite of applications and Adobe PDF readers. In addition, you should be able to utilize a web-camera and microphone. You should have a basic understanding of how to use the common elements of the university learning management system.
Students without experience using the university’s learning management system (Desire2Learn) can contact the Student Help Desk to arrange instruction, can contact Distance Education Support, or can complete tutorials in Navigating Digital Learning.
Hours for support services may vary. Check their websites for times of operation.
- General Technical Support: Contact the WCU IT Helpdesk at 610-436-3350 or email helpdesk@wcupa.edu
- Distance Education Support: Contact The Office of Digital Learning & Innovation at 610-436-3373 or email distanceed@wcupa.edu
- Additional technical support information will be provided for tools as needed throughout the course.
Accessibility Policies, Privacy Policies, and Support Site Information:
This course uses a variety of tools. To access a tool’s accessibility and privacy policy, navigate to the Distance Education Accessibility and Privacy Policies website.
Student Academic and Support Services
Student academic and support services provided by the university can be found on the Ram’s Eye View Services website.
Distance Education Support
- Contact Distance Education Services:
- Phone 610-436-3373
- Email distanceed@wcupa.edu
- Additional technical support information will be provided for tools as needed throughout the course.
Library Resources for Distance Education Students
The West Chester University Library makes resources available to distance education students. Please review their Library Services for Distance Students website for specific information.