| Title: | Cloud Infrastructure |
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| Long Title: | Cloud Infrastructure |
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| Field of Study: |
Computer Science
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| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 ) |
| Module Coordinator: |
Sean McSweeney |
| Module Author: |
Eoin ORegan |
| Module Description: |
Cloud infrastructure is a term used to describe the virtual infrastructure that can be delivered or accessed via a network and typically refers to the delivery model in cloud computing known as Infrastructure as a Service. This module provides a detailed introduction to cloud infrastructure and in particular examines how compute virtualisation and storage have transformed the IT datacentre in building complex IT environments. |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| LO1 |
Identify and describe the challenges and latest trends in data centre virtualisation. |
| LO2 |
Analyse and describe the architecture and components of an Intelligent Storage System (ISS). |
| LO3 |
Justify the implementation of a range of storage solutions to enable business continuity. |
| LO4 |
Discuss the requirements for implementing network access to storage in virtualised data centre environments. |
| LO5 |
Design and create a virtual data centre environment. |
| LO6 |
Manage and troubleshoot a virtual data centre environment. |
| LO7 |
Evaluate the basics of securing the virtual data centre. |
| LO8 |
Design, partially implement and report on a small scale cloud infrastructure project. |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list. |
| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
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| No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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The Evolution and challenges of Data Centres
The evolution of computing infrastructures and architectures from stand-alone servers to rack optimised blade servers, unified computing systems (UCS) & virtual data centre (VDC). How server, desktop & network virtualisation along with cloud computing reduce data centre footprint, environmental impact and power requirements by driving server consolidation.
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Intelligent Storage System
Components and benefits of the Intelligent Storage System.
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Storage Backup & Recovery
Business Continuity measurement, terminologies, and planning. Backup design, architecture, topologies, and technologies in SAN and NAS environments. Local and Remote replication using host and array-based replication technologies such as Synchronous and Asynchronous methods. Data archival; Content Addressed Storage (CAS) elements, storage, and retrieval processes.
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Storage Networking in Enterprise Virtualised Environments
Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) architecture, Storage Area Network (SAN) attributes, components, topologies, connectivity options and zoning. FC protocol stack, addressing, flow control, and classes of service. Networked Attached Storage (NAS) components, protocols, IP Storage Area Network (IP SAN) iSCSI, FCIP and FCoE architecture. Network scalability with distributed switches.
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Data Centre Virtualisation
Provision, monitoring and management of a virtual data centre and multiple enterprise-level virtual servers, storage environment and virtual machines through software management interfaces.
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Managing Virtual Environments
Monitoring, optimisation and troubleshooting; includes servers, storage, networking and virtual machines. Introduces concepts such as migration methodologies, high availability, redundancy and disaster recovery, scalability and scheduling.
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Security
Securing the hypervisor, virtual machines and virtual network. Protecting the management environment. Storage strategy and governance; security and regulations. Designing secure solutions; the considerations and implementations involved. Storage security framework and various security domains. Security implementation in SAN, NAS, and IP-SAN networking.
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Course Work | 100.00% |
| Course Work |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Short Answer Questions |
Virtualisation & storage short answer questions exam assessing the theoretical elements of the module. |
1,2,3,4 |
20.0 |
Week 4 |
| Practical/Skills Evaluation |
Cloud Infrastructure skills exam. In this assessment the student may be expected to design, create, troubleshoot and manage a virtual data centre environment. |
5,6 |
40.0 |
Week 9 |
| Project |
Report on a small scale cloud infrastructure project. This includes analysis, design and implementation. |
3,4,5,6,7,8 |
40.0 |
Week 12 |
| No End of Module Formal Examination |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
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The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Lecture underpinning learning outcomes. |
4.0 |
Every Week |
4.00 |
| Lab |
Cloud Infrastructure Labs. |
4.0 |
Every Week |
4.00 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Student work and study. |
6.0 |
Every Week |
6.00 |
| Total Hours |
14.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
14.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
8.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Lecture underpinning learning outcomes. |
4.0 |
Every Week |
4.00 |
| Lab |
Cloud Infrastructure Labs. |
4.0 |
Every Week |
4.00 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Student work and study. |
6.0 |
Every Week |
6.00 |
| Total Hours |
14.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
14.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
8.00 |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
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- Nick Marshall, Grant Orchard, Josh Atwell, Scott Lowe 2015, Mastering VMware vSphere 6, 1st Ed., Sybex [ISBN: 9781118925157]
- John A. Davis, Steve Baca, Owen Thomas 2013, VMware vSphere Design, 2nd Ed., Sybex [ISBN: 9781118407912]
- EMC 2012, Information Storage and Management, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons [ISBN: 9781118094839]
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
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- Mickey Iqbal 2010, IT Virtualization Best Practices: A Lean, Green Virtualized Data Center Approach, MC Press [ISBN: 9781583473542]
- Ulf Troppens, Rainer Erkens, Wolfgang Mueller-Friedt, Rainer Wolafka, Nils Haustein 2015, Storage Networks Explained, 2nd Ed., Wiley [ISBN: 9788126557424]
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
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| Other Resources |
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- Website: VMware Inc
- Website: DELL/EMC Inc
- Website: Amazon Web Services
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Module Delivered in
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