Syllabus	CpSc 271: Topics in Computer Science Linux Systems Administration	Spring 2011

About this Course

Topics in Computer Science: The "title" for this topics course is Linux Systems Administration. But then I added the nice subtitle: An in-depth exploration of utilizing Linux systems as workstations, clients, and servers. So, as the name suggests, we will look at using Linux as a platform for accomplishing everything anyone would ever want or need to accomplish (with a computer).

I will try to share with you much of the important stuff that I have learned about Linux over the years. I will also show you some of the fun things that are not that important. In addition, I hope to help you learn how to find out the remainder on your own.

Scope: Since this is a one-off topics course, there is not a pre-determined curriculum to follow. Instead, we will range broadly over the Linux Landscape. A rough outline of the course (and in very rough order) is:

• Linux History, Distributions, and Installation.
• Basic Configuration and Trouble-shooting.
• Package Managers, Window Managers, and more Configuration.
• Replacements for Popular Software (use and configuration).
• Linux Tools.
• Common Server Programs and Server Configuration.
• Common Client Programs and Client Configuration.
• Advanced Server and Client Software.

Text: As mentioned above, there is not a set curriculum for the course. Therefore there is not a single book that could serve as a text for the course. Linux is extremely well documented on-line and even within itself. We will use many resources that come installed with Linux (man pages, info pages, html documentation, etc). We will also use many on-line resources (how-to's, linux forums, hardware and software producer's sites, etc). There is one book that I recommend you buy. I have the 6th edition, but earlier editions will be useful as well. The book is Linux in a Nutshell published by O'Reilly publishers. All of the content of the book can be found scattered about on-line or in man pages, so it's not absolutely necessary. However, it is nice to have so much all in one place. And I will draw from it a lot, especially when we delve into the Linux tools.

Computer Use: We have 11 or 12 computers that will be used exclusively for this course. You will have administrative privileges on these machines so you will be able to do all of the stuff that administrators do. However, you will also need to have a computer of your own to use. I will require you to run Linux on a machine of your own. It can be run from a CD if you don't want to install it for some reason, but I hope you will enjoy Linux enough to eventually install it and use it often. With rare exception, it is the only system I use.

Assessment Policies

Labwork (including quizzes): The day-to-day coursework will consist of a lot of hands-on activities. I will make assignments to read documents, research topics, maybe prepare disks, perform installations, configurations, etc. I might use some class time to present a how-to, or to get you started on an assignment or "task". You will occasionally be able to use some class time to make progress on some of these assignments. Other times you will be expected to complete an assignment and demonstrate it to me at the next class period. I may (on a few occasions) ask you to produce a written lab report for a particular assignment. Some assignments may be more involved than others, but I will look at your results and give you a "check" (meaning successfully completed) or an "X" (meaning less than successfully completed). I also may (on hopefully rare occasions) give a quiz over an assigned reading. These will also earn a "check" or an "X". I expect you all to earn only "checks", but in the end, I will weigh them out, and the overall Labwork portion of the course will count for 25% of the final course grade.

Midterm Exam: The Midterm Exam will consist of a written in-class portion, and a short oral/demonstration portion. 30 minute appointments must be made for the oral/demonstration portion and must take place before you leave for Spring Break. The overall Midterm Exam score will count for 25% of the course grade.

Project and Presentation: Completion and presentation of a special projects is required. A Project topic list will be made available for selection during the week before Spring Break. Your project must be completed and presented during the last two weeks of class. If there are no volunteers for the earlier presentation slots, lots will be drawn for all slots. The project and presentation will be evaluated and the result will count for 25% of the final course grade.

Final Exam: The Final Exam will consist of a written in-class portion, and an in-depth oral/demonstration portion. 1 hour appointments must be made for the oral/demonstration portion and must take place before the end of the Final Exam period. Seniors must complete the oral/demonstration portion at least 8 hours before senior grades are due. The overall Final Exam score will count for 25% of the course grade.

Attendance And Make-up Policies: You are expected to attend every class, to arrive at class on time, and to stay for the entire period. Credit cannot be received for any quiz or in-class portion of an exam not taken when administered to the class. The opportunity to "make-up" work missed will NOT be available except in instances required by The Colleges. In such cases, it is the student's responsibility to arrange for make-up work as soon as possible. (See HWS Catalogue, pp. 26-27.) In the event that I am required to provide "make-up" work, it may be significantly different from the work missed. This make-up policy will be strictly enforced.

Grading Scale: The portions earned of the various percentages listed above will be added together and the intial course grade calculation will be determined by the overall percentages listed below.

The final course grade calculation will include consideration of factors such as attendance, conscientiousness, and level of participation. If your overall average falls in the upper 2% of a grade range, and you have 1 or fewer unexcused absences, and have been conscientious about projects, labwork, and assignments, and have actively participated in class, you will have a "+" appended to your grade. On the other hand, if your overall average falls in the lower 2% of a grade range, you may have a "-" appended to your grade if you have at least 3 unexcused absences, or work has been missed or is incomplete, or if you have failed to participate at an acceptable level in class. Excessive absence (more than 3) may result in the loss of a letter grade.

Other

• Hobart and William Smith Colleges' Principle of Academic Integrity will be upheld. (See HWS Catalogue, p. 23. See also HWS Handbook of Community Standards.) Unless work is assigned collaboratively, you should not submit work for a grade that is not completely your own. Doing so will be grounds for receiving a failing grade in the course, and having a record of the event placed in your permanent file.

• A Note about the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL): Hobart and William Smith Colleges encourages students to seek the academic collaboration and resources that will enable them to do their best work. The CTL offers a variety of resources that can help students achieve academic success. For more information on these resources, visit the CTL webpage at http://www.hws.edu/academics/ctl/index.aspx, or visit the CTL Blackboard site.

Disability Accommodations: If you are a student with a disability for which you may need accommodations, you should self-identify and register for services with the Coordinator of Disability Services at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and provide documentation of your disability. Disability related accommodations and services generally will not be provided until the registration and documentation process is complete. The guidelines for documenting disabilities can be found at the following website: http://www.hws.edu/disabilities . Please direct questions about this process or Disability Services at HWS to David Silver, Coordinator of Disability Services, at silver@hws.edu or x3351.