Microsoft server technologies
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Microsoft certifications are highly valued in the IT industry. They provide a good starting point if you wish to enter the industry and a way to maintain your skills and advance your career if you’re already working in IT. This course offers a sound grounding in the fundamentals of computer networking and server technologies. It also enables you to develop the knowledge and understanding required to become an IT professional working with current Microsoft Windows server technology. On successful completion of this course, and through additional practice exercises, you will be able to take an industry-recognised Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification examination.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | TM128 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown.
What you will study
The Open University (OU) is a Microsoft Academy and provides access to Microsoft’s e-learning curriculum.
As part of this course you will study a number of Microsoft’s e-learning courses that support preparation for current Microsoft Certification examinations in Active Directory Configuration and Network Infrastructure Configuration. These e-learning courses include virtual labs that give you practical experience of configuring and troubleshooting Windows Server 2008. (As these virtual labs have been designed and created by Microsoft you are advised to use the web browser – Windows Internet Explorer – to undertake the online activities.) You will be sharing these labs with the wider Microsoft Academy community, and as a result you will find that access times vary, as the lab may be being used by other students.
The online content will be supplemented with text books to provide detailed coverage of the technical topics covered, and OU materials that will enable you to develop skills relevant to an IT practitioner.
The course is structured into 3 blocks:
Block 1: Networking Fundamentals provides a sound grounding in the basic principles of computer networks. Topics covered include protocol models and layering; IP addressing; basic network design and network devices.
Block 2: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration comprises Microsoft online courses and associated texts that cover configuration of IP addressing, DNS, DHCP and NAP amongst others. This block aims to cover materials associated with, and to prepare you for, the Microsoft exam 70-642 (MCTS – Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist).
Block 3: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration comprises Microsoft online courses and associated texts that cover configuration of Active Directory services and policies. This block aims to cover materials associated with, and to prepare you for, the Microsoft exam 70-640 (MCTS).
This course also provides optional practice exercises and practice exams that are designed to prepare you for the Microsoft Certification. These are not compulsory in order to pass this course, but are recommended if you are planning to take the Microsoft certifications.
You will need to spend around nine to ten hours per week for nine months studying this course, although this may depend upon your current and previous experience in this subject.
On successful completion of the course you will be in a position to take industry recognised MCTS examinations although this is not included in this course. You will need to make your own arrangements to pay for and sit these exams.
You will learn
This course will enable you to:
- increase your knowledge of the basic principles of computer networks and server technologies
- develop skills to enable you to work with Microsoft’s Windows Server 2008 at a level described by the Microsoft certification: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
- develop a variety of skills appropriate to a practitioner in computer networking and server technologies.
Vocational relevance
This course has a strong vocational relevance to those working in, or wishing to enter, the IT industry. The Microsoft certifications that this course prepares you for are widely recognised and highly valued.
Entry
This is a Level 1 course. Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you to progress to courses at Level 2.
We do not recommend this as your first course if you are new to OU study or have no experience of working with personal computers. We strongly recommend that you begin your studies with a key introductory Level 1 course such as My digital life (TU100). This will equip you with the necessary computing and study skills for Microsoft server technologies.
Microsoft materials assume some experience of working with Microsoft server technologies. Block 1 is designed to cover the networking fundamentals needed and prepare you for working with the Microsoft materials but it is not recommended for those who have no experience of working with personal computers.
Because the study material is online, you should be confident in the use of a computer to access the internet, and be prepared to spend most of your study time online. Broadband internet access is essential. The study material contains active content, which means that you will need to set up your firewall to allow pop-ups from the Microsoft and OU websites.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Please note that as this course makes substantial use of information and communication technology (ICT) you will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. Text books provide some additional reading but the majority of the course content and all the practical labs are only available online. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
The course is delivered through a virtual learning environment and as many of the materials are provided by a third party there will be limited opportunities for these to be modified. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet and have concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service before you enrol about support which can be given to meet your needs. You can also visit the Microsoft learning accessibility pages on their website for further information on accessibility and using screen reading software.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Access to the Microsoft e-learning study material, Microsoft text books and additional supplementary material supplied via the website.
You will need
You must have a broadband connection to the internet as the study material is only accessible online. The e-learning material is provided by Microsoft; see their website for an example.
If you decide to do the optional practice exercises you will require a higher computer specification, as these require installation of virtual machines and multiple instances of Windows Server 2008. The basic hardware requirements for the optional practice exercises are:
- 1.6GHz processor (2GHz recommended)
- 2GB RAM (3GB recommended).
- 20GB hard disk (40GB recommended).
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material, mark and provide feedback on your written work. Your tutor is the first point of contact for any queries on the course and you can ask them for advice and guidance.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and end-of-module assessment (EMA).
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2012. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | TM128 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Your questions
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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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