Course Syllabus

IT 140 UNIX Scripts for Network Administrators

Instructor DC Shoemaker
Office: Instruction Building 2-3-20A Phone: (206) 527-5663

E-mail: Dshoemak@sccd.ctc.edu
Class web site: http://168.156.125.36

What this course is: An intermediate level course aimed at familiarizing the student with Unix scripts and how to read, modify and test them. This course will use Linux as a vehicle to present two approaches to scripting in the Unix system environment, and is directed to the network technician or administrator responsible for keeping a Unix network system operating.

What this course is not: This is not a programming class; the goal is familiarity with shell and Perl script usage sufficient for the student to read scripts and understand what real-world Unix systems are doing, and to know where to turn when things are not clear. Expertise in Perl and Unix will take longer.

Topics covered: The first part of the course deals with shell scripts and the software tools the Unix host administrator uses to manage the system, implement web server operations, and deal with routine administrative responsibilities. The version of Unix used in the course will be Linux, and the shell used will be the BASH. Differences in shells and versions of Unix will be discussed.

The second part of the course will deal with the programming language Perl. Perl topics will be presented in the context of the shell scripts developed in the first part, enabling students to compare and contrast the relative strengths and weaknesses of each. The use of Perl in the context of the World-Wide Web will also be addressed. Prerequisites are any one of the following: IT/NET/CIS 138, IT 135, CIS 136, or instructor’s permission.

Required texts:

Students are cautioned not to purchase books until the first class meeting.

A set of Class Notes is available on the class FTP site, and is required. Students are responsible for familiarity with the class website and its contents.

Linux in a Nutshell, 4th Edition, Ellen Siever, Stephen Spainhour, Stephen Figgins & Jessica Hekman. O’Reilly & Associates. Earlier editions will suffice.

Learning the BASH, 3d Edition, Newham & Rosenblatt, O’Reilly & Associates. This book provides useful back-ground to the most common Linux shell. Any edition will suffice. Students are cautioned not to purchase this book until after discussing it with the instructor.

Learning Perl, 3d Edition, Randal Schwarts & Tom Christiansen, O’Reilly & Associates. Earlier editions will suffice. This book provides a useful introductory programming background and covers many issues not discussed in class. Again, students are cautioned not to purchase this book until after discussing it with the instructor.

Linux for Programmers and Users, Graham Glass and King Ables, Pearson-Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-18748-7. About $70.00. A very good overview for all Linux classes. Again, students are cautioned not to purchase this book until after discussing it with the instructor.

A basic (and free!) Slackware text is available on-line at http://www.slackware.org/book/.

These texts will be used as an adjunct to the topics discussed in class. These topics will include the following:

a. Unix scripts containing commands that incorporate command-line arguments. Understanding Unix shells. Review of shell and environment variables. Creating and removing user variables. Debugging scripts. Scripts for administrative functions.

b. Unix flow control. Loops and if-then-else structures. String manipulation and arithmetic operators. Pipes and filters in scripts. Flow control (if-then, tests.) Common shell tools and utilities (grep, awk, sed, tr, etc.)

c. Perl scripts. Using Perl with other Unix tools. Loops and if-then-else structures. String manipulation and arithmetic operations. Flow control (if-then, tests.)

d. Generating dynamic HTML pages with Perl. Collecting data input from web pages. Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripts.

There will be two examinations and an unspecified number of quizzes and exercises to check progress.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

60-70% 2.0-2.5

71-80% 2.5-3.0

81-90% 3.0-3.5

91%-100% 3.5-4.0

Comportment:

You are responsible for attendance. Punctuality is mandatory. Missed lecture and lab material may be obtained from your class members. Absences may be excused by the instructor under appropriate circumstances. This class will discuss techniques that can, like any knowledge, be used for ill as well as for good. Students are reminded that they are responsible for their behavior; use of this information for illegal purposes is not acceptable, and will not be condoned, on-campus or off. As this class is conducted partly in a lab environment, safety and appropriate behavior will be stressed. Any behavior deemed by the instructor to be disruptive to the class may be cause for dismissal under the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.

Open Labs:

There are two open computer labs available to students who have paid either the UT or CT fees. The labs are located in IB 3303 (PCs and Macs) and in HT 1845B (PCs). These labs have the widest variety of software on the campus and are open for walk-ins. Hours vary each quarter; check the campus website or in the lab for specific lab hours.

Internet Use:

It is the NSCC policy not to restrict student Internet access. It may be deemed disruptive behavior to view Internet material offensive to those around them. Use of the Internet which is deemed by the instructor to be disruptive behavior during lecture or labs, may lead to dismissal under the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.

But remember please, the Law by which we live,

We are not built to comprehend a lie,

We can neither love nor pity nor forgive.

If you make a slip in handling us you die.

-Rudyard Kipling, “The Secret of the Machines”