Applied Network Administration and Design

​T​his hands-on course or equivalent knowledge is assumed for all follow-on COMP courses in BCIT Computing Flexible Learning programs. COMP 1002 focuses on how a Personal Computer (PC) system works. Exercises reinforce best practices to use and manage a Microsoft Windows 11 PC, Students are provided with remote access to a virtual Windows 11 lab computer. Topics include: An introduction to PC hardware, functions of an operating system (OS), file and disk management, backing up and protecting data, troubleshooting, security, privacy, malware and firewalls. Networking, user management and Windows 11 configuration are also discussed. Hands-on exercises and labs include applied experience with all aspects of the course. There will be a brief comparison to Windows 10, Linux and MacOS, including practise with a Linux distribution. Attendance, participation in class and the BCIT Learning Hub are mandatory, plus there is significant homework. Participants must provide their own current PC device (Windows, Mac, or Linux, or some Chromebooks). COMP 1002 is a required course for Computer Systems Certificate (CSC) and several Associate Certificates. It is the prerequisite for COMP 1516 , COMP 1630 , COMP 1850 , and COMP 2010 . Upon successful completion, students will be able to configure, maintain and secure a Windows 11 PC in a networked environment.​​​ COMP 1002, or equivalent knowledge is the prerequisiste for all Computing Flexible Learning programs.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Following on from COMP 1002 students are introduced to the fundamental concepts and terminology related to data communications and enterprise networks. COMP 2629 is required for Applied Network Administration and Design, ANAD and is also an elective in the CST/PTS Diploma. This course is also equivalent to ACIT 2620 - Principles of Enterprise Networking, in the full-time CIT Diploma. Students are introduced to the basic (design, implementation and management) concepts and terminology related to data communications and networking. The OSI model as well as the TCP/IP protocol suite at the physical, data link, network and transport layers are used throughout the course to demonstrate concepts and implementation. Topics include: network topology, protocols, transmission media, switching techniques, access control and addressing for wired and wireless networks. There is also an overview of network security and network management principles. Participants will investigate how requirements relate to network design and network administration. They will also study how computers exchange data over LANs and WANs. Labs and exercises will examine network protocol implementation as well as show how to troubleshoot and improve network design. Upon successful completion, students will be prepared to start COMP 3700 MS Windows Server Administration. They will have a practical understanding of the principles of data communications for enterprise networks. This course is offered in the April (spring) ​or September (fall) terms.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1002

This hands-on course follows on from COMP 1002 and assumes proficiency with a PC and file management. Students are introduced to command line Linux concepts using the GNU/Linux operating system on the Intel platform. Participants will install the Linux operating system, partition a disk, create and mount a file system, and configure the boot loader and services. COMP 2766 labs and exercises focus on how to navigate the file system, manipulate files, and directories, and set permissions. Participants will manage processes, users, groups, and passwords in a Linux environment and learn to edit text files using vi editor. They will also practice how to redirect input, output, manage error messages, plus use shell metacharacters and the Secure Shell (SSH). Topics include login procedures, the Linux/Unix shell, the Linux file system, and directory management, text editing and process control. Linux system security concepts are also discused. COMP 2766 provides a working knowledge of how to install, set up and configure Linux. It is required in the Applied Network Administration and Design (ANAD) Associate Certificate and an elective in the CST FLEX Diploma. Upon successful completion, students will have a solid foundation of the Linux environment and be prepared for the follow-on COMP 2768 - ​Introduction to Linux Part 2 (Administration). Both courses are electives in the CST FLEX Diploma.​
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1002

​This hands-on 12-week course follows on from COMP 1002 and COMP 1630 and has replaced these three 6-week courses COMP 3677, COMP 3680, COMP 3681 as of April 2025. Students are introduced to the basic tasks that an Administrator performs to manage Microsoft server products. both MS SQL Server and MS Windows Server. COMP 3682 details the different roles and types of servers on premises and the cloud server environment with Microsoft Azure. Labs and exercises focus on Microsoft Server Administration to create and manage users, groups, shares, and file permissions. Role Based Access Control (RBAC) best practices will be used. Students will install, configure, and architect both a Microsoft Windows Server and a Microsoft SQL Server in a Cloud environment. Topics include how to plan and implement Group and local Security Policies; industry standard strategies and planning for server back-ups, troubleshooting, monitoring, and managing a server with built-in tools. Server security and recovery plans with compliance strategies for a Microsoft Server will be discussed. COMP 3682 is a required course in the Applied Database Administration and Design (ADAD) and is an elective in the Computer Systems Technology (CST ​FLEX) Diploma. Upon completion, successful students will be able to create and manage user accounts, use built-in troubleshooting tools, monitor performance, and implement a security and recovery plan for Microsoft Window Server and Microsoft SQL Server.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1630

This hand-on course offers and in-depth overview of key topics in information technology (IT) security and how to apply best practices for securing computer systems. COMP 3704 starts with an introduction to IT security principles prior to discussion risk terminology, IT security controls, policies, and standards. Topics include security awareness, risk mitigation and control administration. Data and application security, cryptography, information handling best practices, privacy and regulatory issues are also discussed. Labs and exercises include vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, incident response, disaster recovery, and forensic analysis to gain practical experience. COMP 3704 is a required course in BCIT's Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC) and the Computer Systems Technology (CST) FLEX Diploma. Upon completion of this course, successful participants will be able to identify common cyber threats and use standard controls to protect information assets.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1002

This course follows from COMP 2766 and is designed for students who already have a solid foundation in command-line Linux. Through hands-on exercises and labs, students will monitor the system, automate common administrative tasks, secure and maintain the entire system. Topics include archiving and transferring files between systems, web server administration, scheduling, logging, and basic troubleshooting for Linux Administrators. Participants will configure a web server, schedule future tasks, write Bash shell scripts, configure a server firewall, log kernel messages, archive and transfer files. COMP 2766 and COMP 2768 are electives in the CST FLEX Diploma and together are equivalent to ACIT 2420 in the CIT Diploma. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be aware of best practices in Linux Administration. Note: COMP 2768 has replaced COMP 2767 and is offered in the summer term directly after COMP 2766.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 2766

​Microsoft PowerShell is a popular task automation and configuration framework. As a scripting language, PowerShell is commonly used for automating the management of Microsoft systems and services. PowerShell includes scripting tools to automate and control systems, programs, and files to improve productivity. COMP 3771 is a hands-on lab course aimed network or database administrators and software developers. PowerShell scripts are used for systems and services administration or database automation, monitoring, and maintenance, and can also automate tasks for testing software programs and rapid application development. Starting with a basic introduction to scripting with the Command Prompt window, the course then focuses on how to use MS PowerShell with Windows. There will be a brief overview of using Azure resources in PowerShell. COMP 3771 is required course in the Applied Database Administration and Design Associate Certificate and an elective in the Applied Network Administration and Design, Associate Certificates, plus the CST FLEX Diploma. ​Successful participants will be able to automate many tasks with Microsoft PowerShell and reduce repetitive tasks by creating scripts and functions that can run interactively or automatically. This course is offered in April (spring/summer) and September (fall) terms.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1002 or 60% in COMP 1630

​This hands-on project course shows students how to configure, deploy and manage virtual networks. COMP 4912 builds on prerequisite courses in network design, Linux, Security, and Microsoft Windows Server administration. Students apply those technology skills for cloud-based network solutions. ​Participants must provide their own current model Windows 10+ capable PC, i7 or higher equivalent processor, 16 GB of RAM, and 500 GB minimum storage. High-speed internet access is needed for online classes and homework. Topics include organizing and documenting network components and tools; templates for cloning virtual images and machines; networking virtualization; storage virtualization; deployment automation and post provisioning; and Virtual memory and configuration considerations. Management of resource pools and Virtual I/O considerations and optimization practices for High availability (HA) considerations are also discussed. Labs and exercises include implementation, monitoring and maintenance strategies. Students are introduced to a combination of commercial and open-source tools and are e shown best practices for virtual technologies to manage enterprise networks. ​COMP 4912 is the final course in the Applied Network Administration and Design (ANAD) Associate Certificate and is an elective in the Computer Systems Technology Diploma (CST FLEX). This course is offered once a year in January.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 2629 and 60% in COMP 2767 and 60% in COMP 3704 and (60% in COMP 3700 or 60% in COMP 3677 and 60% in COMP 3680)