Virtual Computer Lab for ICTNWK540 – Design, Build and Test Network Servers

eduLAB contextualises the lab environment suitable for your existing resources. But sometimes, clients ask us to suggest practical activities that could meet the Performance Evidence, Elements and Criteria.

Here is the virtual lab environment we designed for ICTNWK540. There are many more ways to satisfy the requirements in the virtual computer lab, but here is an example of labs you could adopt for ICTNWK540 using eduLAB.

ICTNWK540 is relevant to the qualifications below:

• ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology
• ICT60220 – Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
• ICT50120 – Diploma of Information Technology (superseded by ICT50220)
• ICT60120 – Advanced Diploma of Information Technology (superseded by ICT60220)

The lab environment could change depending on the unit scenario, so here we have the unit scenario, network diagram and suggested activities to support the virtual lab.

Scenario

A small IT team within Maxmit College manages a corporate network. The college is facing the issues below and urgent attention is required to resolve the matter. The issues are:

• The existing server is installed with an end-of-life operating system which is susceptible to new vulnerabilities and associated attacks
• The Organisation does not have Active Directory implemented and the IT team is overwhelmed by managing users, policies, and software on computers manually
• Documents stored on computers are not backed up and can cause data loss if computers fail
• No dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) within the organisation network therefore, the IT team must configure network settings on staff computers manually, which is causing occasional IP conflicts
• Staff are exchanging documents via email with external parties, thereby causing document duplication and versioning problems

In order to resolve these urgent issues, the executive management has permitted their IT team to introduce new servers. The IT team must locate documents and applications in the old server and suitably plan the migration strategy, so that during the transition the day-to-day business operations will not be affected.

 

The lab environment on eduLAB – 4 virtual computers

eduLAB Virtual Labs Identifications

1. Decommissioned Server: A production server is currently in use which is obsolete and requires data and application migration to the new server (Network Server)
2. Network Server: Refers to a new production server where the learner will need to configure network services, install necessary applications, and migrate data from the decommissioned server
3. Client PC: Refers to one of the staff computers where the learner can test the network services and permissions are correctly configured
4. Firewall: This network component enables access to the internet and is responsible for filtering malicious and inappropriate content

 

Lab diagram

 

Four virtual components on eduLAB

 

Possible activities in the lab

Performance evidence required for the ICTNWK540 unit includes:

• Produce a design report for at least one server with complex user and network service requirements
• Prepare and install a network server
• Configure a wide range of server network and security services, including domain name systems (DNS), dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), web and proxy mail, file transfer protocol (FTP), and firewall

Suggested activities:

• Backup staff data and identify the file structure and installed software on the Decommissioned Server
• Install the Windows Server operating system, configure network settings, and apply the latest cumulative updates
• Integrate Active Directory (AD) roles and configure Group Policies for centralised management of staff computers and software
• Configure Network Time Protocol and check that devices have synchronised the time from the server
• Setup DNS and DHCP network services and test staff computers can resolve private and public domain names
• Install File Server role and create file structures for organisational data and user profiles
• Redirect staff profiles to the Network Server and test documents are located on the server
• Map network shared folders on the Client PC via Group Policies
• Install web servers (IIS, XAMPP) and upload the intranet website, and test that is accessible from the Client PC
• Install relational database server and configure a database for the intranet website
• Secure the intranet website with a self-signed certificate
• Install Certification Authority (CA) on the Network Server and sign the intranet website certificate with local CA
• Enable and configure the intrusion prevention system (IPS), web content filtering and mail antispam services on the firewall
• Implement cloud drives and collaboration tools for external parties
• Restore staff data to the Network Server and test documents are accessible, writable and readable from the Client PC
• Implement file backup software and configure for daily backup to the separate disk partition
• Implement disk-to-disk-to-cloud backup strategy
• Check that data backup set is healthy and demonstrate the restore
• Open MSConfig system utility on Client PC and check which non-Microsoft services are loaded on start-up
• Optimise the Start-up section in Task Manager

About eduLAB

eduLAB provides virtual lab environments for courses requiring computer labs for practical activities such as Information Technology, Cyber Security and Engineering courses.  With eduLAB, students experience practical lab environment in the comfort of their home and class. eduLAB provides virtual lab environments that meet performance evidence requirements for colleges.

How to access eduLAB

If you wish to use eduLAB for training or wish to experience the trial version, please send a request to [email protected]

About the author

This lab environment is designed by Matt Jereb, who is the:

• Lab designer and the co-founder of eduLAB Pty Ltd
• Co-founder of Celox Group Pty Ltd
• 13 years of experience in system integration of small, medium and large corporations in Australia and in Europe.
• Accredited Integration Specialist for HP ProLiant ML/DL/SL servers
• Accredited Systems Engineer for HP BladeSystem
• Red Hat Certified Engineer
• Sophos Certified Engineer