This course provides an introduction to IT infrastructure issues for students majoring inInformation Systems. It covers topics related to both computer and systems architectureand communication networks, with an overall focus on the services and capabilities thatIT infrastructure solutions enable in an organizational context. It gives the students theknowledge and skills that they need for communicating effectively with professionalswhose special focus is on hardware and systems software technology and for designingorganizational processes and software solutions that require in-depth understanding of theIT infrastructure capabilities and limitations. It also prepares the students fororganizational roles that require interaction with external vendors of IT infrastructurecomponents and solutions. The course focuses strongly on Internet-based solutions,computer and network security, business continuity, and the role of infrastructure inregulatory compliance.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge & understand
Configure an IT infrastructure solution for a small organization, including a network based on standard technology components, servers, security devices, and several different types of computing clients
Apply the core concepts underlying IP networks to solve simple network design problems, including IP subnetting.
Understand the role and structure of the Internet as an IT infrastructure component and design simple infrastructure solutions based on the use of the Internet
Understand the components and structure of a large-scale organizational IT infrastructure solution at a level that allows them to use it effectively
Understand the role of IT control and service management frameworks in managing a large-scale organizational IT infrastructure solution.
Mental skills
Negotiate with vendors providing design and implementation solutions.
Understand the opportunities that virtual computing service provision models, such as cloud computing, create for organizations.
Minimize the environmental and resource consumption impacts of IT infrastructure Decisions.
Understand how IT infrastructure components are organized into infrastructure solutions in different organizational environments.
Generic and transferable skills
Configure an IT infrastructure solution for a small organization, including a network based on standard technology components, servers, security devices, and several different types of computing clients.
Apply the core concepts underlying IP networks to solve simple network design problems, including IP subnetting
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures.
Tutorials.
Problem-based learning.
Laboratory and practical training.
Mini-projects.
Methods of assessments
Midterm Exam = 30
Assignments = 10
Mini-project = 10
Final Exam = 50
Course contents
Week1: Core computing system architecture concepts & organizing structures
Week2: Core technical components of omputer-based systems Role of IT infrastructure in a modern organization Operating systems
Week3: Core operating systems functionaliy Internal organization of an operating systemTypes of devices that require and use operating system
Week4: Multitasking and multithreadin systems and storage, User interfaces, operating systems
Week5: Core network components
Week6: TCP/IP model layer: wired and wireless connectivity
Week7: Data link layer: Ethernet oNetwork layer: IP, IP addressing and routing
Week8: core Internet application protocols Network security
Week9: The Internet as a key networking platform Network device
Week10: Organizing storage on organizational networks
Week11: Data centers configuration
Week12: Securing IT infrastructure Principles of encryption and authentication