Course Announcements

Hi Class,

Good work last night!  To recap: We moved onto Systems Administration and began our coverage of managing technology resources within and organization, which included domains, domain controllers, and active directory.

Next week we will be covering everything you ever wanted to know about using the command line!

For next week 1) Read the posted web link under week 7 2) Begin Tech Chall 2 and 4 (Both due 10/17) so I can answer any questions in class next week 3) Begin practicing working with the command line in windows so we can hit the ground running.

Have a great weekend!

Pat

Good work last night!  To recap: We covered the fundamental concepts of computer networking and built a small networks using pcs, ethernet cables and switches/routers.  We configured the routers using telnet.

Next week we will move onto Systems Administration and Server Auditing.

For next week: 1) Read Burd Ch 14 2) Read the posted IT Auditing Chapter 6 PDF 3) Ensure you have a working Windows 2012 VM for use in class next week.

Have a great weekend!

Pat

Hi Class,

Good work last night.  To recap: We covered various Storage components including RAM, hard drives, flash drives, dvds and back-up tapes.  We concluded by going through an activity involving auditing a server for hard drive partitions not showing under the My Computer view in Windows.

Next week we will cover Networking, which will include a hands on activity involving building a network with routers.

For next week: 1) Read Burd Ch 9 2) Submit the OS Assignments and Storage Assignments to me by 9/26

Have a great weekend!

Pat

Hi Class,

Good work last night.  To re-cap: We covered Operating System concepts, and went through the key aspects of the task manager, performance monitor and file directories of the windows OS.  In addition, we covered how to create a VM in both Azure and VMware, so should all have everything you need for the OS activities.

For next week: 1) Read Ch 5 and 12 2) Work on the OS Activities due 9/26

Again, these OS activities are a very important component of this class.  In addition to performing the actual steps I am expecting you all to work through the various install issues you may encounter with downloading, installing and configuring the software and vms (i.e. VMWare, SDM, the MIS Software  Website).  Working through these issues is a vital part of the assignment in addition to the actual submission.

Next week we will wrap up Operating Systems and move on to Storage.

See you all next week!

 

Pat

Hi Class,

Good work last night!  To re-cap: We went over the key components of  a computing system and how these key components work together to power every operation in a PC.  We then built a computer from scratch using the components covered in class.

Next week we will move on to Operating Systems and cover creating VM’s in both Azure and VMware.  We will close out the class by starting the OS Lab, which you will complete as an assignment.

For next week:

1) Complete Tech Challenge 1 which is essentially to build a Windows Server 2012 VM (Complete this in either Azure or VMWare)

2) Complete step 1 of the OS Lab which is to build a Windows Server 2008 VM. I would like everyone to complete this task in MS Azure.  Please sign up for the free trial, choose only the A0 and A1 basic VMs and be sure to completely shut down your VMs by clicking the “STOP” button in the Azure portal when you are not using them.  Be sure to monitor your VM costs, so you are not charged unnecessarily by Microsoft. I want everyone to become comfortable in both VMWare and Azure in this class.

3) Read Burd Ch 11

Finally, in terms of setting up the VMs I am expecting you all to make a significant effort to troubleshoot any issues you encounter.  This is a absolutely vital part of the learning process for this assignment!  Feel free to work in groups and work through the issues together.  Post to the IT Knowledge base with questions for the class.  I am happy to answer questions, but I want everyone to put in the technical work to figure this out on their own as it is a crucial part of this class.  If you get absolutely stumped I am always here to help!!

Have a great weekend!!

Pat

Hi Class,

If you are using MS Azure for your VMs please be sure to choose the cheapest options (B Series and A0-A4 Basic Options).  Many of the choices such as the D series are way beyond what we need in this class and are much more expensive to host).

Please see the following Azure pricing guide:  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/virtual-machines/windows/

Also, Azure charges you for running VM’s.  You can avoid costs by completely shutting down all of your VM’s when you are not using them.  Please see the following link on how to ensure all of your VM’s are shut down: https://buildazure.com/2017/03/16/properly-shutdown-azure-vm-to-save-money/

Also, please see the following videos on info on how to use Azure: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/get-started/

If you are using VMWare here is a quick guide: http://www.wikihow.com/Use-VMware-Workstation

Hope this info helps!

 

Pat

Hi Class,

It was great meeting you all last night.  I am really looking forward to working with you all this semester, and hope that last night gave a good overview of what we will be covering in the course.

To re-cap, the main takeaway from last night was that the IT discipline encompasses a multitude of technical areas such as desktop computing, networking, storage, system administration, security etc. Gaining exposure to these areas is crucial for the anyone working in the IT discipline such as IT Auditing.

Each week I will be posting an update like this recapping what we did in the current week and what will be expected from you for next week.  Please check the course web site regularly as this will be where all of my announcements and class discussion will be.

I would like all questions for this class to be posted to the course website so everyone can benefit from the discussion. On the homepage you will see a number of discussion topics please feel free to post any questions to the appropriate category by clicking “Leave a Comment”.

For next week: 1) Purchase the textbooks 2) Install and configure VMWare and/or Setup an Azure account  3) Submit the Week 1 Assignment to me via e-mail before class next week (You can work in pairs of up to 2 people or individually). 4) Read Burd Ch 4 & 6 5)Give Tech Challenge 1 (Under Week 3 Materials) a try and see if you can configure a VM 6) Participate in the online class discussion

Next week we will be covering Computing Systems, where the main portion of the class will be building a computer!

Have a great Holiday weekend and see you all next Thursday!

Pat

As an alternative to using VMWare there is a cloud based option called Azure offered by Microsoft (https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/?v=17.14).

Azure is a subscription service that allows you to host your Virtual Machines in the cloud as opposed to locally on your PC, which can alleviate resources constraints, and also allow you to access your VM’s anywhere.  When you sign up you will get a free month and depending on how much you sign up for prices start at $13 a month.

VMWare is offered for free by the MIS Department and can be installed locally on your PC.  As mentioned above VMware puts resource constraints on your PC as your PC will need to run an additional operating system on the PC.

Finally, if you choose to use the lab PCs in class you will need a 32GB flash drive in order to copy your VMs from the lab PC.  Alternatively, your are welcome to use your own PC in class and run Vmware directly on the laptop.  If you have a MAC you will need to install VMware on the MAC and then create a Windows Server virtual machine to work from.

You are welcome to use any method listed above.

Pat

All of the class capture recordings can be found here: https://capture.fox.temple.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/Full/883d5095825b46f6b4db4288defffc6221

Welcome to Enterprise Architecture for IT Auditors!  My name is Patrick Wasson (LinkedIn Profile) and I will be your instructor for ITACS 5122 for Fall 2018.  We will be meeting on Wednesdays in Alter Hall Room 602 at 5:30pm – 8pm each week.

The goal of this course is to introduce you to as much technology as possible and give you a strong foundation in key information technology components.  We will cover everything from building a pc to coding an application.  My goal is that you leave this class with a better understanding of the key components that make up the Information Technology and Enterprise Architecture discipline.  After covering each technical topic we will circle back and discuss how the topic is critical to the IT Auditing discipline.  Many of the activities will actually require you to audit components of an operating system, database server and application server.  We will be using both graphical user interfaces and the command line throughout the course.

This course will involve both a presentation component as well as many hands on activities/assignments.  We will learn about an area of technology and then apply hands-on exercises to reinforce and apply the concepts.  I will post all of the materials for each week under Schedule and Materials for each week as we progress through the semester.

The majority of  the course grade is comprised of attending class, participating, starting the activities in class and submitting the activities to me for a grade.  Some activities will be completed entirely in class and others may require to be completed outside of class.  Regardless, all activities must be completed and sent to me for a grade by the due date.  The course will then wrap up with a final exam that will focus on the concepts behind everything we covered throughout the semester.

You will find all of the information you need for this class located on our class website:

http://community.mis.temple.edu/mis5122sec002fall18/

For the first week of class: 1) Read the Syllabus (Note: Be sure to read the Technology Requirements section) 2) Purchase all of the textbooks (especially the Burd text as we will cover that first) and required technology 3) Access the MIS Software Site and install VMWare Workstation Pro 12 4) Read Burd Ch 1 and 2

 

I am looking forward to seeing you all for our first class on 8/29/18.

 

Pat