CT5052 - Network Operating Systems (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Network Operating Systems | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
Network Operating Systems (NOS) are crucial across various industries, ensuring efficient communication, security, and resource management among networked devices. In corporate and enterprise networks, businesses depend on NOS for file sharing, email servers, cloud computing, and centralized security management, enabling seamless collaboration and data protection across multiple locations. In healthcare, NOS supports hospital networks, electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine platforms, and medical imaging systems, facilitating secure and efficient data sharing among healthcare professionals. Additionally, they enable real-time patient monitoring and remote diagnostics, ensuring continuous and reliable healthcare services.
This module provides both theoretical and practical knowledge of NOS, introducing students to some of the most widely used NOS platforms. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and hands-on workshops, students will learn to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot network operating systems. Practical sessions reinforce theoretical concepts, allowing students to gain real-world experience in network administration and system management.
Module aims
The aims of this module are:
1. To understand the importance of NOS
2. To explain the operation of Network operating systems, and their benefits
3. To describe hardware requirements for the effective operation of NOS
4. To compare some of the most commonly available NOS, and their abilities and limitations
5. To understand the concept of virtualisation and its application in modern server environments
6. To understand server documentation, security and trouble shooting
Syllabus
Introduction to NOS, NOS clients
Network design
Microsoft (Windows Servers)
Create users/profiles
Patching securing
Active directory design
Domain controller function IIs
Linux installation /Samba / Apache
Linux Create users/profiles controlling services daemons installation
NOS Server Hardware and software
Server Virtualisation
Network administration role and best practises server security
Troubleshooting
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Module is delivered in a single session of 3 hours weekly through traditional lecture (1 hour) augmented by closely linked laboratory work and tutorial (2 hours). All the teaching material for the lectures and tutorials are available online through Weblearn (VLE) allowing students to read ahead at home for interactive discussion with tutors during tutorial/practical sessions. For practical work on installation and configuration of hardware software components, additional lab handouts are provided. Regular progress tests with spot-feedback help students to check their performance and adapt their study plans. Students are made aware of module leader’s office hours (via WebLearn VLE) for quick queries and consultation.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
LO1. Understand the structure, function, and interrelation of hardware and software in modern Network Operating Systems
LO2. Identify the compare the most widely used Network operating system
LO3. Use preventive maintenance to solve security upgrading issues in responsible and professional manner
LO4. Implement hardware and software troubleshooting techniques, and record and present the technical findings critically and effectively.