COT 1003
Advanced Operating Systems

Course Information

Course Description:

Advanced Operating Systems provides the entry level Information Technology Professional with a conceptual overview of Major Operating Systems used today. Administration and Installation of the following operating systems are covered:

  • Windows NT Workstation 

  • Windows NT Server 

  • Windows 2000 Professional 

  • Windows 2000 Server 

  • Windows XP Home 

  • Windows XP Professional 

  • Novell 

  • Unix 

  • Linux

Course Objectives:

The Advanced Operating System course is designed to give the entry level Information Technology Professional a basic understanding of the the industry's leading advanced operating systems. Students should be able to identify each system and know the operational and administrative requirements of each system. Students should also be able to use the Internet to maintain their Information Technology skills.

  • Describe what a network is and why networks are important in business today.

  • Distinguish between a local area network and a wide area network

  • Explain the differences between a peer-to-peer network and a client server network

  • Describe the differences between the three common topologies: bus, star, and ring

  • Describe the differences between the four popular types of network media: twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, and wireless.

  • Describe the difference between Ethernet and token ring.

  • Discuss where networking is headed in the future.

  • Describe the main features of Windows XP.

  • Describe the Windows XP boot process.

  • Determine the hardware configuration of an XP-based system.

  • Perform basic disk management operations.

  • Perform basic basic user management operations

  • Perform troubleshooting procedures.

  • Describe the improvements offered by Windows 2000 Professional over earlier versions of the operating system.

  • Install Windows 2000 Professional from CD-ROM.

  • Use the Microsoft Management Console and the Task Scheduler for administration of Windows 2000.

  • Use the Control Panel to configure operating system settings such as creating hardware profiles, changing the display options, and installing new hardware.

  • manage disks properly using basic and dynamic disk storage and different file systems (NTFS or FAT).

  • Create and manage user accounts.

  • Use NTFS permissions on files and folders and learn how to share folders for use on a disk formatted with the FAT file system.

  • Set up an audit policy to monitor events on the computer.

  • Describe the many features of Windows NT.

  • Install Windows NT from the CD-ROM correctly.

  • configure Windows NT using the Control Panel and the Registry.

  • Describe the disk management features of Windows NT.

  • Create local user accounts and groups.

  • Discuss the Windows NT security model.

  • Protect files and folders by assigning permissions.

  • Install NetWare Server software 5.1.

  • Describe Novell's network objects.

  • Effectively use Novell ConsoleOne to create NDS objects.

  • Manage a Netware file system with volumes, directories, and files.

  • Create NetWare users and groups.

  • Secure the NetWare network environment.

  • Describe how to install Linux.

  • Describe the Unix/Linux boot process.

  • Determine the hardware configuration of a Linux system.

  • Perform basic disk management operations.

  • Perform basic user management operations.

  • Perform proactive and reactive troubleshooting procedures.

Prerequisites and Corequisites:
The prerequisite for Advanced Operating Systems is Basic Operating Systems. A well rounded knowledge of basic windows based systems is required.
Course Topics:

Major course topics include the general overview of Advanced Operating Systems to include the following:

  • Windows NT Workstation - 10 hours

  • Windows NT Server - 10 hours

  • Windows 2000 Professional - 10 hours

  • Windows 2000 Server - 14 hours

  • Windows XP Home - 10 hours

  • Windows XP Professional - 12 hours

  • Novell - 11 hours

  • Unix - 10 hours

  • Linux - 7 hours

  • Security and Viruses - 10 hours

Students should begin reading modules as outlined under the modules listing in the menu. Modules should be completed in order and all assignments and quizzes should be completed in order.
Specific Course Requirements:
Students should have a well rounded knowledge of Microsoft Windows 9x. Students should also be familiar with maneuvering around on the Internet in order to complete the course materials and requirements.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:  http://rodp.bkstr.com
Supplementary Materials:
None
Hardware Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. 
Software Requirements:

Recommended browsers; Internet Explorer (Version 4.0 or above) or Netscape Navigator (Version 4.7 or higher)

Students should also have Real Player, Windows Media Player and Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on their computer.

Instructor Information

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:

Quizzes:

There will be eight quizzes, each covering a different module of the course.  The eighth quiz will be comprehensive, covering all material in the course.  They will be multiple-choice and consisting of 10 or 15 questions each.  There will be a 12/15 minute time limit per quiz.   If you do not complete the quiz in the 12/15 minute time frame, your quiz will not be accepted for grading.   Quizzes must be taken at the allotted time unless other arrangements have been approved by the instructor.

Assignments:

Students will have two assignments at the end of each module (except module 6 & 8, there will be only one) to complete.  These assignments must be submitted by the due date unless other arrangements have been approved by the instructor.  Any assignments submitted within one week past the due date will have 1 point automatically deducted from the final grade of that assignment.  There will be an additional 1 point automatically deducted from the final grade per week past the due date.  Example:  If you are 3 weeks past the due date, you will have 3 points automatically deducted from the final grade. 

Class Discussions:

Students are required to participate actively in 8 discussions. Every week during the semester, the instructor will post questions concerning a specific topic. Students will have the opportunity to respond to these topics and to other students' responses. Students may also begin their own discussion.
Grading Procedure:

Grading will be based on a straightforward point system. Course grades will depend on students' total scores on the eight quiz, eight assignments and worker characteristics. The maximum points given for worker characteristics will be 50. This will be determined by your discussion postings, email communication and participation. Note the scheduled dates for quizzes and assignments and plan now to complete them. Below is a listing of points assigned per task:

Each Quiz has a maximum score of 30 points

Each Assignment has a maximum score of 10 to 20 points
Grading Scale:

The following scale will be used to calculate final grades.

Total Points (%) Final Grade
406-440 93-100 A
368-405 85-92 B
330-367 77-84 C
301-329 70-76 D
300 or lower 0-69 F

Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:

Students must read the assigned modules, participate in the discussions and complete each assignment and quiz associated with each module.

Week 1 Module 1      
Week 2 Module 1      
Week 3 Module 1 Assignment 1 - 2 part Discussion Quiz 1
Week 4 Module 2 Assignment 2 - 2 part Discussion Quiz 2
Week 5 Module 3 Assignment 3 - 2 part Discussion Quiz 3
Week 6 Module 4 Assignment 4 - 2 part Discussion Quiz 4
Week 7 Module 5 Assignment 5- 2 part Discussion Quiz 5
Week 8 Module 6 Assignment 6 Discussion Quiz 6
Week 9 Module 7 Assignment 7 - 2 part Discussion Quiz 7
Week 10 Module 8      
Week 11 Module 8 Assignment 8 Discussion Quiz 8
         

Class Participation:
Students are required to participate in the class discussions. Even if students do not actively participate in all discussions, they are expected to read all of them and be familiar with their contents. Students are also expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource and check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements.
Punctuality:
Students need to consult the Course Calendar for the readings, quizzes, assignments and other due dates. 

Course Ground Rules

The following are recommendations for students taking this class:

Learn how to navigate in WebCT as soon as possible. (Very important!)

Consult the Course Calendar for dates for readings, exams, and assignments.

Check the Discussion Board 2-3 times a week to see if the instructor or another student has introduced a new topic for discussion.

Manage your time wisely. Give yourself enough time to read the assigned text chapters and lessons before an exam.

See the Course Calendar for suggested due dates for completion of reading assignment.

Keep abreast of course announcements.

Keep in contact with the instructor on a regular basis.

Use the assigned e-mail address as opposed to a personal e-mail address.

Address technical problems immediately.

Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications
Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members
Discussion Groups:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:

  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion
Web Resources: 

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the Help Desk by calling 

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to their website at:

http://help.rodp.org