Purpose:

This course introduces and provides practical experience in system and network administration and security issues. Recent attacks on operating systems and networks are used to illustrate detection and development of countermeasures.

Objectives:

After completing this course you should be able to:

Understand the basic concepts of administering individual machines and networks using Linux-like systems and TCP/IP
Be able to use these concepts in dealing with administrative tasks and security of operating systems and simple networks
Have some understanding and proficiency with Windows administration
Be aware of and understand current threats to system and network security
Be able to find information relating to emerging security issues

Laboratory:

The laboratory work will be done in the UNIX laboratory (122 Stefani), normally in the C language. The

lab work will include short exercises using system capabilities and a longer project. Accounts will be

established on the various systems if you do not already have one. The Networking and Operating systems

laboratory is no longer available for both laboratories and projects requiring root access and kernel modification, however, some machines are available in the Linux laboratory itself.

Based on the amount of credit given for the laboratory and the entire course, the projects will be designed

to take about 45 hours (3 hours/week) to complete.

Course Information:

Grading basis:

Partial exams (3 @ 100 points)	300
Final exam	150
Programs (2 @ 50 points)	100
Project	100
Total	650

Note: The programs must be completed in order to pass the course

Professor: Thomas L. Noack, 405 Stefani, extension 3652, noack@ece.uprm.edu

Office hours: Please see course page

Text:

[1] Nemeth, et. al., Linux System Administration Handbook,2nd. Ed., Prentice-Hall, 2002.

References:

Also, consult the reading list for more complete information and later references:

[1] Bishop, Matt, Computer Security: Art and Science,Addison- Wesley, 2003.

[2] Bautts, et. All, Linux Network Administrator’s Guide, 3d Ed. , O’Reilly, 2005.

[3] Russinovich and Solomon, Microsoft Windows Internals, 4^thEd .Microsoft Press, 2005

Comments: Most information, including this outline, will be distributed through my web page

http://ece.uprm.edu/˜noack

Examinations will be held during the class period on the dates shown However, these dates are subject to change in order to avoid conflict with other exams.

The laboratory will be conducted on an open rather than a scheduled basis. The class period will thus be extended to 8:45 am, rather than 8:20 pm. Please contact me if this conflicts with other classes.
Note: The course will be conducted in accordance with University regulations. These are promulgated by the administration and, since they are subject to change, will not be duplicated here.

ICOM 5017 – Network and System Administration

Fall 2009

Text – Nemeth, et. al., Linux System Administration Handbook,2nd. Ed.

Date	Reading	Topic
13-Aug	1.1-6	Intro
18-Aug	2.1-8, 3.1-5	Booting, shutdown, and rootly powers
20-Aug	Ch. 4, 5, 6	The file system, controlling processes, and adding users
25-Aug	Ch. 7 & 8	Devices, drivers, and serial ports
27-Aug	Ch. 9	Disks and other mass storage
1-Sep	Ch. 10-12	Periodic processes, backups
3-Sep	Ch. 31	Event logging, and daemons
10-Sep	Ch. 13	System configuration and installation
15-Sep		Exam I
17-Sep	Ch. 14, 15	TCP/IP, routing, and network configuration
22-Sep	Ch. 16, 17	DNS and NFS
24-Sep		Project requirements and definition presentation
29-Sep	Ch. 17, 19	System files and remote administration
1-Oct	Ch. 20-21, 23	Network services, web servers, news, and electronic mail
6-Oct	Ch. 22	Network management
8-Oct	Ch. 26-27	Printing and other services
13-Oct		Exam II
15-Oct	Ch. 28-29	Software and hardware maintenance
20-Oct		Project design presentation
22-Oct	Schneier	Encryption methods
27-Oct	Schneier	Encryption protocols
29-Oct	References	Hacking methods
3-Nov	References	Viruses
5-Nov	References	Countermeasures for hacks and viruses
10-Nov	References	Secure shells and socket layers
12-Nov	Ch. 32	Policies, procedures, and administrative ethics
17-Nov		Exam III
24-Nov		War stories and where to find information
1-Dec		Project implementation presentation
3-Dec		Review for final exam

This outline will change considerably during the semester; the emphasis will be much more on network security and countermeasures. The world has changed, and so must the course.