Management of Computer Networks

It is recommended that students have a set of prior knowledge (acquired in the Curricular Units Computer Networks and Operating Systems (2nd year of studies). Among the preliminary knowledge desirable for an easier acquisition of knowledge in the Curricular Unit Management Computer Networks, the following stand out:

1. Basic concepts about computer networks: computer network concept, the Internet computer network, TCP/IP architecture and its main protocols and services, IP addressing system, public and private IP addresses;

2. Linux Operating System: basic administration in the user’s work area, namely, organization and storage of files and configuration of specific functionalities.

Exposition classes of the proposed syllabus followed by the development of practical activities of administration of TCP/IP systems in Unix Systems. For this purpose slides, demonstration videos and practical exercises are used.

 Group work on small activities in class and the final project is strongly proposed to students, promoting  important skills. 

The systems and networks administration area assumes an increasingly fundamental role in the field of information technologies. It is an area of enormous scope of technologies and services that the administrator must know to ensure the correct functioning of a computer network.

The objective of the Computer Network Management discipline is to provide students with knowledge of the main problems faced by a systems and network administrator and to enable them to devise underlying solutions for the administration of systems and network systems based on the architecture of the Internet TCP/IP.

Students must adquire for skills in managing systems and networks, namely in systems management tools, a theoretical knowledge of the main TCP/IP network services, as well as their administration (DNS, DHCP, HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP and POP/IMAP). Finally, the student should know how to use network management, auditing and inventory tools on a network.

It should be noted that in practical classes, students develop TCP/IP systems administration activities, complementing the fundamental theoretical knowledge acquired through its application to concrete practical scenarios. Linux is the reference Operating System for this course unit.

1. Introduction to Systems and Network Management

1.1 Systems and Networks Management – Overview

1.2 Main challenges of a systems and network manager

2. Management of Isolated Systems
2.1. User management on Unix systems
2.2. Services based on Unix systems
2.3. Unix systems security
3. Network Services
3.1. Network and TCP/IP Services Settings
3.2. Internet Name Resolution Services
3.2.1. Basic concepts
3.2.2. Analysis of different systems
3.2.3. The Domain Name System (DNS) service
3.3. Dynamic configuration of devices on a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) network
4. Network Management Tools
4.1. Network fault identification and diagnosis
4.2. Connectivity tests
4.3. Identification of routes
4.4. Identifying and testing network services
4.5. Network traffic analysis
4.6. Detection and collection of information from network equipment and services
5. Word Wide Web Service
5.1. Fundamental Concepts

5.2. Apache base settings

5.2. Advanced Settings in Apache – HTTPS, Digital Certificates

5.3. Availability of Webmail

6. Electronic Mail Service

6.1 Fundamental Concepts

6.2 SMTP Server Settings

6.2 POP and IMAP protocol settings

NAO