Cuyamaca College
Computer and Information Science Department
Spring 2015 CIS 191 Section 0875/6799
Linux Operating Systems (3 Units)
Class Meeting:
Section 0875: Online
Section 6799: Wed, 6-8:50PM in E211
Instructor: Greg “diff” Differding
Office: Room E109B
Phone: (619) 660-4039
E-mail: gregory.differding@gcccd.edu
Website: http://www.cuyamaca.edu/people/gregorydifferding/default.aspx
Office Hours (E109B or E211):
Tues: 11:00AM-1:00PM
Wed: 1:20PM-3:20PM
Wed: 5:00PM-6:00PM
Other times: By appointment onlyt
Required: 2 hours lecture and 3 hours of laboratory per week. 16-week course.
Pre-requisites: "C" grade or higher or "Pass" in CIS 120 or 125 or equivalent or current CompTIA A+ or
N+ certification.
Course Description: Comprehensive hands-on application, use and training on a Linux client computer
operating system for both beginning and intermediate-level students. Instruction will include: operating
system installation and configuration, graphical user interface and command-line commands, hardware
installation and configuration, file system management, user and group management, security
configuration, network configuration and management, troubleshooting and disaster recovery. Course
maps to the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Linux+ and Linux Professional
Institute (LPI) Certification Level 1 certification exams.
Required Text and Materials:
Smith, Roderick W. CompTIA Linux+ Complete Study Guide, Second Edition. Sybex. 2013.
ISBN: 978-1118531747
Course Objectives:
1) Linux operating system configuration using both graphical user interface and command line tools
Student Learning Outcomes:
Given a computer troubleshooting or configuration scenario, students will be able to:
1) Define, describe and/or discuss: operating system functions, properties, tools and utilities; boot
functions; hardware and printer resources; network configuration topologies, protocols and properties;
security considerations and utilities; file system parameters and configurations; disaster recovery
procedures; and major elements of the Linux operating system architecture.
2) Configure Linux installation configuration files, install the operating system, and troubleshoot/repair
boot errors.
3) Configure and manage daemons; hardware and printers; configuration files and shell parameters;
and file systems associated with the Linux operating system using both graphical user interface and
command line tools/utilities.
4) Create and manage computer users and groups, user policies and permissions.
5) Configure the Linux operating system to join an IP network and access shared content across a
network using both secure and unsecure methods.
6) Configure and troubleshoot computer security configurations, intrusion detection, firewalls, software
updates, and log monitoring/management.
7) Backup and recover data and system settings using backup utilities.
This course adheres to the policies outlined in the Cuyamaca College catalogue. For further information, see Academic Policies
stated in the catalogue.
Syllabus and Calendar are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor
1
Course Requirements:
Course Organization: The course is organized into three sections: (1) Linux Essentials, (2)
LPIC-1 LXO-101, and (3) LPIC-1 LXO-102. Each of these sections correspond to a Linux
Professional Institute (http://www.lpi.org) certification exam. The Linux Essentials section
provides foundational skills needed for an entry level Linux professional. LPIC-1 is
considered the certification exam for junior level Linux system administrators. The
information presented in LPIC-1 will repeat some of the information presented in the Linux
Essential section, but in greater depth.
Lectures: Students from the online section are welcome to attend the in-class section at any
time.
(1) In-class section—: Important material from the text and outside sources will be
presented in additional readings, lesson overviews, lesson introductory materials and
demonstrations of important concepts covered in the assigned chapter. Students will be
expected to be prepared to discuss the important topics from the assigned readings and
answer questions posed by the instructor.
(2) Online section—: Important material from the text and outside sources will be presented
in additional readings, lesson overviews, lesson introductory materials and demonstrations of
important concepts covered in the assigned chapter.
Laboratories: This is a performance oriented course. Students are expected to physically
configure a computer running Linux. Labs serve to provide you the hands-on practice
required to become proficient in administering a Linux client computer from the command-line
user interface. Labs are designed to be completed in a virtual machine. The instructor will
be available during the periods outlined under Office Hours to provide additional lab
completion assistance. There are two virtual lab environments provided in this course: (1)
Cisco NetSpace Linux Essentials and (2) NetLabs+ Linux+(LPIC1). They both use NetLabs
as the delivery method but they use different interfaces.
During labs, students will be expected to individually work through the lab manual and/or
instructor generated lab exercises and answer questions as assigned by the instructor.
Some lab assignments may make the operating system inoperable. For this reason, a virtual
instructional environment is required. Using this instructional environment will enable
students to work on labs from virtually any computer without endangering the functionality of
the computer they are using. Completing course lab assignments outside of the class
virtual lab environment may cause harm to the student's personal computer!
Discussions: During the semester, the instructor will post items for discussion. Discussion
items will be drawn from classroom topics, operating system developments, computer ethics,
industry trends and current events related to the computer industry. Students will be asked to
join in the discussion by either posting their own, original ideas/opinions or by posting an
original response to another class member's posting.
Class Forums: There is a class forum named “Have a question? Ask it here…” for the purpose
of discussing course materials and lab procedures. Students are expected to post their
questions to the class forum vice emailing the instructor directly as this will permit all students
to benefit from the question and response.
Exams and Quizzes: There will be chapter quizzes based on the assigned readings and other
materials covered during the week’s lecture, readings and labs. You can take the quiz as
many times as you desire during the period assigned. The highest score attained during that
period will be recorded.
The final exam is a practical application exam which will resemble the unguided lab practices
included in lab exercises. During the practical application final exam, students will be
required to configure their computer in response to a scenario-based exam prompt.
Blackboard: Course materials will be distributed via the class Blackboard site.
This course adheres to the policies outlined in the Cuyamaca College catalogue. For further information, see Academic
Policies stated in the catalogue.
Syllabus and Calendar are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor
2
NetLabs: The Linux Essentials portion of the course uses the Cisco NetSpace Linux Essentials
course materials. The LPIC-1 portion of the course uses the NetLabs+ course materials.
Grading Policy: Letter grades will be determined using the point evaluation as outlined below.
All graded items are due on Mondays at 6:00 PM on the dates specified in the
Academic Calendar. Items submitted after that time will be considered late.
Labs: Labs submitted more than 1 week after the due date listed in the academic calendar
will not be accepted or graded. Completed lab exercises will be submitted to the instructor
via Blackboard.
Quizzes: Quiz grades will not automatically upload into Blackboard from the Cisco
NetSpace. The instructor will download quiz scores from Cisco Netspace every Wednesday
for the previous two week’s assignments (e.g On the Wednesday of Week 4, grades for
quizzes due during week 2 and 3 will be uploaded). Quizzes outside of the two week window
will be considered late and will not be uploaded or counted in the student’s grades.
Graded Items:
1. Linux Essential Quizzes (16 quizzes at 5 points each)
80 Points
2. Linux Essential Labs: (16 labs at 5 points each)
80 Points
3. LPIC-1 Quizzes: (10 quizzes at 10 points each)
100 Points
4. LPIC-1 Labs: (32 labs at 5 points each)
160 Points
5. Discussions (participation in a minimum of 3 discussions): 30 Points
6. Final Project
100 Points
7. Total Points
550 Points
A = 550 - 495
B = 494 – 440
C = 439 – 385
D = 384 – 330
F = 329 – 0
Course Drop Policy:
1. Students will be dropped from the class for lack of participation after failing to turn in all
required assignments during two consecutive weeks. Logging into a quiz and submitting
it without actually taking it or uploading an incomplete lab assignment is not considered
active participation and will be considered as a incomplete assignment.
Other Class Policies
1. Students are expected to participate in class and keep up with assignments.
2. Assignments are due every Monday at 6:00PM on the week listed in the Academic
Calendar.
3. The written/practical exams are timed exams. It is your responsibility to monitor your own time
4. Students traveling for work will be encouraged to work ahead, if this is not possible, the instructor
will consider advanced notification and will specify specific due dates for that student’s missed
assignments. Any uncoordinated, unexcused missed quizzes, lab assessments and exams
will result in a score of zero (0) for that exam.
5. Grades will be posted on the course Blackboard site.
6. The online course resources for this course are provided for instructional purposes only.
Students are expected to maintain the same decorum and demeanor in these environments that
This course adheres to the policies outlined in the Cuyamaca College catalogue. For further information, see Academic
Policies stated in the catalogue.
Syllabus and Calendar are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor
3
are expected in a classroom setting. Using the Blackboard chat and discussion board tools
for espousing personal beliefs, ideologies or other personal matters will not be tolerated.
Students engaging in these activities will be expelled from the chat and discussion board
functions. Further disciplinary action will be taken as deemed appropriate.
Academic Integrity: All work submitted in this class is to be that of the enrolled student. While
collaboration on lab assignments is permitted, each enrolled student is required to submit their
own work. Submitting someone else's work as your own is considered cheating. Cheating is a
serious offense. Anyone found cheating on a quiz, exam or other assignment will immediately
receive a zero (0) on that quiz, exam or other assignment. Anyone found to have an instant
messenger, e-mail, text messaging cell phone or any other communication device open during a
quiz or exam will be suspected of cheating and will receive a zero (0) on that quiz, exam or other
non-collaborative assignment. Anyone found cheating a second time or on multiple assignments
will be recommended to the Disciplinary Dean for further disciplinary action. Additional actions,
described in the Cuyamaca College Catalog paragraph on Academic Honesty/Dishonesty, may
be assessed as deemed warranted by the instructor.
Pass/NoPass/Withdrawals/Drops/etc.: Check the Cuyamaca College Catalog and Cuyamaca
College Class Schedule for pertinent details concerning student withdrawal, grade responsibility,
grading, class attendance, drop dates and procedures. The instructor will uphold Cuyamaca
College policies stated in the Catalog and Class Schedule. It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to
attend to these matters. The instructor will not assign grades of Incomplete.
Computer User Rights and Responsibilities: Each student is responsible for complying with the
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s Computer Systems/Users Rights and
Responsibilities.
For the purpose of CIS 191, hacking is defined as but not limited to: (1) any unauthorized
intrusion or access to Cuyamaca College computers, networks, or programs, (2) using a
computer in any manner that disrupts the CIS 191 class or any other class, and (3) purposeful
mischief or negligence to the computers, network, programs, etc. Any student caught hacking as
defined above will be reported for disciplinary action.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class
are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact Disabled Students Programs and Services
(DSP&S) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as
soon as possible. Students may contact DSP&S in person in building Z300 or by phone at (619)
660-4239 (voice) or (619) 660-4386 (TTY for deaf).
This course adheres to the policies outlined in the Cuyamaca College catalogue. For further information, see Academic
Policies stated in the catalogue.
Syllabus and Calendar are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor
4
Sections 0875/6799 Academic Calendar
Week
Date
Topic
Assignments
Linux Essentials Certification Materials
Read: 1. Syllabus
1
Week of
1/26
2. Linux Essentials (LE) Chapters 1, 2 and
3
Course/Online Orientation and Linux
Introduction
Do:
1. Cisco NetSpace Introduction
2. LE Chapter Exams 1, 2 and 3
3. Discussion 1 (graded)
Read: 1. LE Chapters 4, 5 and 6
Do:
2
Week of
2/2
1. LE Chapter Exams 4, 5 and 6
2. LE Lab 4, 5 and 6
Command Line, Help and File
Directories
Due 2/2 @ 6PM
1. LE Chapter Exams 1, 2 and 3
2. Discussion 1 (graded)
Fri, 2/6
NOTE!
1. Last day to drop without a “W”
2. Last day for a refund.
3. Last day to add a class.
Read: 1. LE Chapters 7, 8, and 9.
Do:
3
Week of
2/9
1. LE Chapter Exams 7, 8 and 9
2. LE Lab 7, 8 and 9
Archives, Redirection, or Scripting
Due 2/9 @ 6PM
1. LE Chapter Exams 4, 5 and 6
2. LE Lab 4, 5 and 6
Mon, 2/16
President’s Day Holiday
Read: 1. LE Chapters 10, 11 and 12.
Do:
4
Week of
2/16
1. LE Chapter Exams 10, 11 and 12
2. LE Lab 10, 11 and 12
Hardware, Software, Processes and
Networking
Due 2/16 @ 6PM
1. LE Chapter Exams 7, 8 and 9
2. LE Lab 7, 8 and 9
Read: 1. LE Chapters 13, 14, 15 and 16
Do:
5
Week of
2/23
1. LE Chapter Exams 13, 14, 15 and 16
2. LE Lab 13, 14, 15 and 16
Security, Users, Groups and
Permissions
Due 2/23 @ 6PM
1. LE Chapter Exams 10, 11 and 12
2. LE Lab 10, 11 and 12
Fri. 2/27
NOTE! Last day to apply for Pass/No Pass.
This course adheres to the policies outlined in the Cuyamaca College catalogue. For further information, see Academic Policies stated in the
catalogue.
Syllabus and Calendar are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor
5
LPIC-1 LXO-101 Certification Exam Materials
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 1
Do:
6
Week of
3/2
1. Sybex Chapter 1 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 7a, 7b,
7d and 10c.
Command Line Tools
Due 3/2 @ 6PM
1. LE Chapter Exams 13, 14, 15 and 16
2. LE Lab 13, 14, 15 and 16
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 2
Do:
7
Week of
3/9
1. Sybex Chapter 2 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 2 and 8
Managing Softwaret
Due 3/9 @ 6PM
1. Sybex Chapter 1 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 7a, 7b,
7d and 10c.
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 3
Do:
8
Week of
3/16
1. Sybex Chapter 3 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 3, 4a,
and 4b.
Configuring Hardware
Due 3/16 @ 6PM
1. Sybex Chapter 2 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 2 and 8
Fri, 3/20
Note: Last day to apply for Spring Degree/Certificates
3/23-3/27
Spring Break!
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 4
Do:
9
Week of
3/30
1. Sybex Chapter 4 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 7d, 5
and 9.
Managing Files
Due 3/30 @ 6PM
1. Sybex Chapter 3 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 3, 4a,
and 4b.
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 5
Do:
10
Week of
4/6
1. Sybex Chapter 5 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 6, 10a
and 10b.
Booting Linux and Editing Files
Due 4/6 @ 6PM:
1. Sybex Chapter 4 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 7d, 5
and 9.
This course adheres to the policies outlined in the Cuyamaca College catalogue. For further information, see Academic Policies stated in the
catalogue.
Syllabus and Calendar are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor
6
LPIC-1 LXO-102 Certification Exam Materials
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 6
Do:
11
Week of
4/13
1. Sybex Chapter 6 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Labs 1, 2, 4c,
and 6.
Configuring the X Windows System,
Localization and Printing
Due 413 @ 6PM
1. Sybex Chapter 5 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 1 Labs 6, 10a
and 10b.
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 7
Do:
12
Week of
4/20
1. Sybex Chapter 7 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Labs 3, 4a,
4b, and 5.
Administering the System
Due 4/20 @ 6PM
1. Sybex Chapter 6 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Labs 1, 2, 4c,
and 6.
Fri, 4/24
Note: Last day to drop a class
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 8
Do:
13
Week of
4/27
1. Sybex Chapter 8 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Lab 8
Configuring Basic Networking
Due 4/27 @ 6PM
1. Sybex Chapter 7 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Labs 3, 4a,
4b, and 5.
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 9
Do:
14
Week of
5/4
Writing Scripts, Configuring E-mail and
Using Databases
1. Sybex Chapter 9 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Labs 7a, 7b,
11a, 11b and 12.
Due 5/4 @ 6PM
1. Sybex Chapter 8 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Lab 8
Read: 1. Sybex Text Chapter 10
Do:
15
Week of
5/11
1. Sybex Chapter 10 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Labs 9, 10a
and 10b.
Securing your System
Due 5/11@ 6PM
1. Sybex Chapter 9 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Labs 7a, 7b,
11a, 11b and 12.
This course adheres to the policies outlined in the Cuyamaca College catalogue. For further information, see Academic Policies stated in the
catalogue.
Syllabus and Calendar are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor
7
Read: 1. Final Project Assignment
Do:
16
Week of
5/18
1. Final Project
Due 5/18 @ 6PM
Final Project
1. Sybex Chapter 10 Exam
2. NISGTC Linux+ Series 2 Labs 9, 10a
and 10b.
5/25
Memorial Day Holiday!
Tues,
5/26
Final Project Due
Due 5/26 @ 6PM
1. Final Project
This course adheres to the policies outlined in the Cuyamaca College catalogue. For further information, see Academic Policies stated in the
catalogue.
Syllabus and Calendar are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor
8