Niagara College’s Computer Systems Technician Network and Cloud Technologies
New launch - Fall 2016: A Computer Systems Evolution
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What is a “Computer Systems Technician”? What do they do?
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Although CST grads continue to support the hardware behind Information Technology the
graduate spends more time supporting people using I.T. to attain their business goals.
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Technically, CST grads can perform these types of duties:
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Install, secure, troubleshoot and maintain PC based systems, hardware, operating
systems and applications.
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Install, secure, troubleshoot and maintain network communications system components
such as cables, switches, routers, wireless and firewalls.
The Computer Systems Technician program is focused on jobs in I.T. support and
administration.
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Network support and administration
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Computer help desk
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PC repair and upgrade
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Entrepreneurial Solution provider/System integrator
All companies require IT support. The CST graduates potential employer base is very broad.
What type of student would be successful in the Computer Systems Technician program and its
targeted careers?
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Install, secure, troubleshoot and maintain a variety of network hardware and services.
What jobs will these graduates be able to do when they’ve completed the Computer Systems
Technician program?
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There are three main characteristics:
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Interest in computer technologies, and the passion to learn about them.
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The desire to help people with their computer related problems.
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Communication skills are most desirable and form a major part of the program.
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The math component of this program is fairly basic and should not be a barrier to any student
with the high school math pre-requisite.
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“Computer Systems Technician” is the Ministry of Educations official program title and is what
will appear on a graduate’s diploma, however, as information technology continues to evolve the
program title may no longer present a comprehensive view of the program's focus.
“Network and Cloud Technologies” describes the new focus of CST; network support and the
enhancement of the program to include the latest I.T. paradigm.
Cloud Computing
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What changes have been made to CST?
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Increased focus on Cloud technologies used in I.T.; such as hypervisors and virtual machines.
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What are hypervisors and virtual machines?
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A hypervisor is software that allows the concurrent operation of many operating
systems on one physical PC or server.
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The operating systems that are sharing the physical hardware are called virtual
machines.
Revised content to include:
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Server hardware and hypervisor support
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Router installation and support
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Wide Area Network protocols
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Public, private and hybrid cloud technologies
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Public Cloud – companies that offer Cloud Computing services over the Internet
such as Amazon and Google.
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Private Cloud – using Cloud technologies within a business’s data center. An inhouse Cloud.
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Hybrid Cloud – the interconnection of a Private Cloud and a Public Cloud
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a
Service (SaaS)
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IaaS – the Cloud provider provides access to virtual machines running in the
Cloud providers hardware environment on which a business runs its own
operating systems and application software in the Cloud.
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PaaS – the Cloud provider provides the physical network plus the server
operating systems such as Windows Server or Linux. Generally used as a
platform to develop custom applications for web delivery.
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SaaS – the Cloud provider provides the physical network, plus the server
operating systems, plus the application software such as database or
productivity software.
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Cloud data storage technologies
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Keeping Cloud services available/accessible/protected
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fault tolerance, business continuity, high availability
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Securing the Cloud
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Installing and supporting a Private Cloud
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