Network Services II

The Recommended Background concepts are the following (organized by course):

• Introduction to Communication Networks (TCP/IP networking stack basics; L2/L3 addressing; direct and indirect routing; Berkeley sockets programming);
• Routing Protocols (Fundamentals of TCP/IP networking; Router and routing operation and  protocols and configuration);
• Network Services 1 (Configuration and management of basic networking services – DHCP, NTP, NAT/PAT);
• Operating Systems (Linux command line and bash programming);
• Operating Systems II (Windows operating system architecture);

It is assumed that the student masters these contents since they will not be introduced in the present course but will be extensively used.

Theoretical classes:

• Presentation and class brainstorming around the covered topics with emphasis on critical thinking about the relevant aspects of the current technological solutions.

Practical classes:

• Setup, configuration and analysis of the covered network services under experimental realistic environments.

It is intended that students acquire skills in planning and configuring the following services in a network environment:

• Authentication and centralized management of network resources (Open and Active Directory);
• Information sharing (FTP, HTTP, HTTPS and directory sharing);
• Email (SMTP, POP3, IMAP4 and anti-spam);
• Printing services;
• Backup, disaster recovery and information restoration systems

Theoretical Component:

Learning the theoretical and protocol aspects of network services and configuration in different environments of the following network services:

• Authentication and centralized management services (Open and Active Directory).
• Information sharing (FTP, HTTP, HTTPS and folder sharing).
• Email (SMTP, POP3, IMAP4 and anti-spam).
• Printing services.
• Information backup and restore systems.

Practical / Laboratory Component:

Practical configuration of the following network services:

• Study and install a company’s directory service.
• Study and develop a file sharing system for the same company (shared folders and an FTP server).
• Configure the company’s http and https server.
• Configure the company’s email system.
• Install the print service.
• Install backup and restore service.

This Curricular Unit (UC) will adopt the evaluation methodology known as M1. As explained in an email from the Vice-President of ISEC (2021/11/19; 18:07), in this methodology the assessment is carried out by the way of the continuous and/or periodic assessment types, it ends before the exam period and there is no moment of further evaluation/examination.

Continuous Assessment a) will take into account the effective monitoring of classes through on-site verification of the prompt and successful resolution of exercises presented in contact periods (theoretical/practical classes); b) will include carrying out small tests in contact periods, with or without an announced date, and c) will also include the carrying out of tasks that possibly involve prior preparation outside contact hours. Continuous Assessment is a) mandatory; b) subject to a minimum of 50%; c) weighs 60% in the global assessment mark.

Periodic Assessment will consist of 1) a mandatory project, subject to a minimum grade of 50% and weighing 35% of the overall grade, and 2) successful completion of the online final exam for the CCNA: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials course, weighing 10% of the overall grade. The project must be completed in groups of two students, but submission and evaluation are individual. The topic, related to the scope of the course, is a) proposed by the group; b) validated by the instructor; c) developed outside of contact hours; d) subject to presentation and final defense during the last week of the first semester.

Students who submit or present assessment elements that they did not genuinely author or to which they did not contribute significantly will have the notation EF (Excluded for Fraud) entered in their records and will be subject to the respective disciplinary procedure in accordance with the regulations in force.

Students who do not meet the deadlines or do not achieve the minimum requirements will have their final assessment recorded as NA (Not Admitted).

Any student who has a special status, duly recognized by the Academic Services, which makes it impossible, but formally justified, for him to weekly attend the classes, must communicate the fact in a duly documented way by email (lsantos@isec.pt) to the regent as soon as possible. It is also mandatory to these students to monitor and respect the course webpage from the very beginning of the semester, namely its assessment requirements, through Nónio (or Moodle, if they cannot be registered in Nónio for reasons beyond their control).

Any student unable to incidently attend a given class (formally justified by a legal document) must communicate the fact by email (lsantos@isec.pt) to the regent as soon as possible. The student must also adhere and reply to the proposal to be received by email of an alternative evaluation date. The student must ensure that his/her mailbox is operational and has enough space to receive regular mail. Failure to comply with these procedures and deadlines dictates the NA (Not Admitted) mark.

Continuous Assessment in this curricular unit is mandatory. Alternative weekly times will always be determined for its realization when the student is in one of the situations foreseen above.

Valuations of works/projects carried out in previous academic years are not eligible. 

NAO