What I hope you will all learn from the course is enough about installing and configuring Linux that you could reasonably set up a system like the one we have in our labs (server plus many clients); along the way you will probably learn a bit about UNIX/Linux internals, and most of what you learn should also apply to versions of UNIX other than Linux. Topics we will discuss include the following.
There are no formal prerequisites, but I expect a background in basic UNIX commands similar to what students in my CSCI 3190 last spring (should have) acquired.
We will use the following as a textbook for the course.
Most course-related information (this syllabus, homework and reading assignments, etc.) will be available via the Web. The ``home page'' for the course is http://www.cs.trinity.edu/~bmassing/CS3291/; it is linked from my home page (http://www.cs.trinity.edu/~bmassing/) and from Blackboard.
Here are some other frequently recommended books on system administration and related topics.
Grades in this course will be determined on the basis of class attendance/participation, homeworks, and a project, weighted as follows.
| Component | Maximum points |
|---|---|
| Homework | about 400 |
| Project | about 100 |
| Class participation | 50 |
Numeric grades will be calculated as a simple percentage, by dividing points earned on the above components by maximum points. These numeric grades will then be converted to letter grades based on a curve, but in no case will the resulting letter grades be worse than students would receive based on the following scheme.
| Numeric grade | Letter grade |
|---|---|
| 90 - 100 | A |
| 80 - 89 | B |
| 70 - 79 | C |
| 60 - 69 | D |
| 0 - 59 | F |
Homework assignments will be geared toward giving you ``learn by doing'' experience and will revolve around setting up a network of Linux machines using three computers provided by the department. Students will work in groups, of whatever size we need to end up with one group per machine. Detailed requirements will be provided as part of each assignment, and due dates will be announced via the course Web page.
Each student will also complete a modest-size project, possibly as part of a group. Detailed requirements and due dates will be announced later in the course.
Regular class attendance is strongly encouraged; class participation grades will be based largely on attendance.
Course-related announcements will sometimes be made by sending e-mail to the Trinity e-mail addresses of all registered students. Students are strongly encouraged to read mail sent to their Trinity addresses frequently. An archive of such announcements will be provided via the course Web page.
Unless otherwise stated for a particular assignment, homework will be accepted up to one class period late, but no more, at a penalty of 10 percent off per working day. This penalty may be waived or additional time allowed at the instructor's discretion in cases of illness or conflict with a university-sponsored activity or religious holiday.
If you have unusual circumstances (as we all sometimes do), please discuss these with the instructor as far in advance as possible.
Unless otherwise specified, all work submitted for a grade (homework assignments and exams) must represent the student's own individual effort. Discussion of homework assignments and course material among students is encouraged, but not to the point where detailed answers are being written collectively. Answers that are identical beyond coincidence are in violation of Trinity's Academic Integrity Policy and will result in disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, a failing grade on that assignment for all parties involved. You are responsible for the security of your work, both electronic and hard copy.