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 disc​​ussed. 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 3882 - Linux Administration (Part 2). Please note COMP 2766 is offered with synchronous online delivery in the winter (January) or fall (September) terms.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1002

​​This hands-on course has replaced both COMP 3700, and COMP 4677. It is the first part of series in Microsoft Server Administration. COMP 1002 is the assumed prerequisite for all follow-on COMP courses. Students are expected to already have a solid working knowledge of file, disk and PC systems management in a Windows 11 networked environment before starting this course. Students begin with an introduction to the basic tasks that an Administrator performs to manage Microsoft server products. They study the different roles and types of servers and the server environment within Microsoft Azure. Participants will install, configure and architect a Microsoft Server in both On-Premises and Cloud environments. 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. COMP 3677 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 Microsoft's built-in tools. Server security and recovery plans with compliance strategies for a Microsoft Server will be discussed. Please Note: Attendance, participation in class and the BCIT Learning Hub are required. Students may have an average total time commitment of 12+ total hours each week; 3 hours of synchronous class time and 9+ hours of homework, reading and research each week. This is a required course in both the Applied Database Administration and Design (ADAD), and the Applied Network Administration and Design (ANAD) Associate Certificates, plus an elective in the Computer Systems Technology (CST FLEX) Diploma. COMP 3677 is the prerequisite for both of these follow-on courses: COMP 3680 Microsoft SQL Server Administration and COMP 3681 Microsoft Windows Server Administration. 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 Server.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1002 or 60% in COMP 1630 or 60% in COMP 2629

​This hands-on course along with COMP 3677 has replaced COMP 3700. COMP 3681 is the second part of series in Microsoft Windows Server Administration courses. Students who have successfully completed COMP 1002 or COMP 2629 and who already have an understanding data communication concepts and networking terminology, will now explore MS Windows Server Administration. This hand-on course is MS Windows server 2019 specific, so those who have taken prior versions may benefit for better migration planning to newer Windows Server versions and the Microsoft Azure environment. There will be a brief review of COMP 3677, before in-depth exercises and labs that focus on creating, deploying, optimizing and maintaining MS Windows Server from an administrator's perspective. COMP 3681 provides a more detailed examination installing and configuring the MS Windows Server with a focus on Active Directory Domain Services and Azure Active Directory Services. Labs and exercises include how to implement and test Roaming Profiles for clients with Group and local Security Policies. Topics include: Industry standard strategies and planning for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) services, Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and Virtual Private Networks (VPN). Please Note: Attendance, participation in class and the BCIT Learning Hub are required. Students may have an average total time commitment of 12+ total hours each week; 3 hours of synchronous class time and 9+ hours of homework, reading and research each week. COMP 3677 and COMP 3681 are required in the Applied Network Administration and Design (ANAD) Associate Certificate, and electives in the Computer Systems Technology (CST FLEX) Diploma. Students planning to work as Network Administrators would also benefit from COMP 3771 – MS PowerShell Scripting. Upon completion, successful students will be able to install, configure and manage MS Windows Severs, and have experience with the best practices in user account management. They will also be able to use built-in MS Windows Server troubleshooting tools, monitor performance, manage security and establish recovery plans.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1002 or 60% in COMP 2629 and 60% in COMP 3677

IT security is growing area with several domains including both information security and network security. This course replaces COMP 3705 which covered both information security and network security. COMP 3704 will provide a more in depth overview of key topics in information security only and is one of the prerequisites for COMP 4704 Applied Network Security. IT professionals across multiple sectors from software development, database, web, mobile and networks will benefit from the material covered.  This hands-on course is led by local industry experts who will share their knowledge and best practices for securing computer systems. Students will complete labs and exercises to experience applied IT security and gain a practical knowledge. Topics will include: security awareness, risk mitigation and control administration, data and application security, cryptography, attack techniques, penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, incident response, disaster recovery, and forensic analysis. In addition, information handling best practices, privacy and regulatory issues are discussed. Upon completion of this course, successful participants will be aware of best practices in IT security and how to implement secure information systems. Network related aspects of IT security are covered in the follow-on course, COMP 4704 “Applied Network Security".
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1002

​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)

​This course follows from COMP 2766 and is designed for students who already have a solid foundation in command line Linux. Participants start by customizing and fine tuning an automated CentOS distribution based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Students then learn to perform more advanced Linux administrative tasks. Through hands-on exercises and labs, students will monitor the system, troubleshoot common problems, secure the system, and maintain the entire system. Topics include: Apache, OpenSSH, DHCP, FACLs, scripting, RPM/YUM, iptables, and basic troubleshooting for Linux Administrators. Students will configure a web server, schedule tasks, install and maintain software, and troubleshoot common problems encountered by Linux system administrators. Additional topics include how to configure and analyze logs, impose filesystem quotas, implement kernel level firewalling, and configure filesystem access control lists. This course is an elective in the Applied Network Administration and Design (ANAD) Associate Certificate and the CST/PTS Diploma. COMP 2766 and COMP 2767 together are equivalent to ACIT 2420 in the CIT Diploma. Upon completion of this course, successful participants will be aware of best practices in Linux Administration. Note: This course is offered in the April term.
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

​Network security relates to how data is accessed and protected by the underlying networks and systems infrastructure. This hand-on course is aimed at network security practitioners and follows along from COMP 3704 "Applied IT Security Fundamentals". COMP 3704 and COMP 4704together replace COMP 3705 for more in depth coverage of topics in both IT Security and Network Security. Participants must have a prior understanding of networking as well as related protocols and technologies, Linux, Windows Server and IT Security fundamentals before registering in COMP 4704. Guided by local industry network security practitioners, students will complete labs and exercises to gain knowledge of best practices used in network security. Topics include: monitoring and diagnosing networks, understanding network devices and infrastructure, access control, authentication, authorization, malware, vulnerabilities and threats. Protecting wireless networks and securing the cloud are also discussed. Upon successful completion of this course students will be able use best practices and current tools to analyze network traffic and study attacks, understand how to protect networks against intrusions and denial of service attacks, and design and maintain secure computer networks. This course is under review and not being offered. Please contact the department for alternatives.​
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 2629 and 60% in COMP 2766 and 60% in COMP 3700 and 60% in COMP 3704