MU BRG-ISEA: Introduction to Server Environments and Architectures Reflective Learning Journal – Assignment Brief

BRG-ISEA Reflective Learning Journal – Assignment Brief

Weighting: 100% – Due Date: Please refer to LMS Gradebook

Word Count: 1500–3000 words (excluding appendix)

Submission Checklist

Reflective Journal in Word docx file, with screenshots/scripts/configs

GitHub Repo – Public Link

GitHub clearly documented all lab activities to demonstrate the process, screenshots, and outcomes.

GitHub Repo – completed pages saved as PDF file(s)

15-minute self-narrated Video Demo of labs completed – downloadable MP4 file web link. Include this table on the cover page:

Purpose of Assessment

This journal reflects on a series of structured lab tasks completed throughout the BRG-ISEA unit, focusing on the real-world application of server environment concepts in both Linux and cloud systems. Each lab involved practical, hands-on experience with system operations, automation scripting, cloud provisioning, cost modelling, DNS configuration, and security hardening. The learning journey culminated with a recorded video demonstration, allowing for both technical execution and reflective analysis of decisions, challenges, best practices, and lessons learned.

Scope of Assessment

Reflect on all activities completed across the 4-day intensive mode. These include Linux setup, cloud deployment, scripting, permissions, DNS configuration, SSL certificates, a consulting session, and one self-selected additional server service.

You must reflect on the full range of activities across the 4-day intensive schedule, including:

• Discovery and observations
• Problems you solved
• Tools you used
• Insights gained
• Relevance to industry roles (e.g., System Admin, DevOps, IT consultant)

Structure of Reflective Journal

1. Installing a Linux Environment on Your PC

(Based on: Obtaining a Linux Environment Lab)

2. Exploring Ubuntu Desktop and CLI Tools

(Based on: Ubuntu Desktop Familiarisation Lab)

3. Managing and Controlling Linux Services

(Based on: Linux Services Lab)

4. Understanding and Applying Linux Permissions (Based on: Linux Permissions Lab)

5. Searching and Navigating the Linux File System

(Based on: Searching File Systems Lab)

6. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in Cloud Infrastructure

(Based on: TCO Analysis Lab for AWS vs Azure)

7. Provisioning and Securing a Cloud VM (AWS EC2)

(Based on: Amazon EC2 Web Services Lab)

8. Writing Bash Scripts and Using Regular Expressions

(Based on: Bash Coding Lab)

9. Configuring DNS and Testing Domain Resolution

(Based on: DNS Configuration Lab)

10. Obtaining and Managing Digital Certificates with Let’s Encrypt

(Based on: SSL Certificate Lab)

11. Scripting Linux Server Functions for Automation

(Based on: Scripting Linux Server Functions Lab)

12. Additional Server Service (Self-Selected) (E.g., MariaDB, Docker, Nextcloud, VPN, etc.)

Video Demonstration Requirements

• Submit a 15-minute video that includes:
• Demonstration of all completed labs and your working cloud/Linux server.
• Self-narration explaining what you learned, including scripts, commands, and outputs.
• Webcam view included, with verbal reflection on challenges, insights, and decisions.
• Walkthrough of the additional server service you explored.
• The video link provided must be downloadable

Academic Integrity and AI Use

You may use AI tools for:

• Grammar, formatting, sentence structure
• Script validation or assistance

Prohibited

You may NOT use AI to:

• Generate large parts of your journal or video script, narration
• Complete labs or fabricate technical content

Mandatory

Include a section titled “AI Tools Used (if any)” at the end of your journal.

All work must be your own. Any detected academic dishonesty (plagiarism, undeclared AI use, ghost-writing) will be reported and penalized.

Resources

• Kaplan Canvas LMS
• GitHub Docs
• Ubuntu ISO
• AWS Free Tier
• VirtualBox
• virtualization – Install Ubuntu Desktop 22.04 ARM64 on macOS Apple Silicon (M1/Pro/Max) in Parallels – Ask Ubuntu
• Download Ubuntu Desktop | Ubuntu
• DITMS Tech – IT Subscriptions – Home
• Amazon Web Services Educate
• Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching
• Microsoft Azure for Students
• Oracle Academy
• VMware Academy

MU BRG-ISEA: Introduction to Server Environments and Architectures

Grading Criteria

BRG-ISEA Lab Activities

Session 1a: Setting Up Linux

Create a GitHub account and start documenting progress.

• Go to GitHub and sign up for a new account.
• Create a new repository (e.g., BRG-27-labs).
• Clone the repository to your local machine using Git.
• Add a README.md and start documenting each lab you complete.

Lab: Obtaining Linux on your PC – Install Ubuntu using VirtualBox.

• Download Ubuntu ISO from the official website.
• Install VirtualBox and create a new virtual machine.
• Configure VM settings (e.g., 4GB RAM, 20GB disk).
• Mount the ISO and install Ubuntu through the guided installer.

Lab: Familiarity with Ubuntu Linux – Basic command line navigation and utilities.

• Practice using `pwd`, `ls`, `cd`, `mkdir`, and `touch`.
• Understand directory structure (`/etc`, `/var`, `/home`).
• Use `man` to explore Linux manual pages.

Session 1b: Exploring Linux

Lab: Linux Services – Understanding and managing background services.

• List services using `systemctl list-units –type=service`.
• Start/stop services with `sudo systemctl start|stop [service]`.
• Check status of services using `sudo systemctl status`.

Lab: Linux Permissions – Explore and apply file and directory permissions.

• Use `ls -l` to view permissions.
• Change permissions using `chmod` (e.g., `chmod 755 file.sh`).
• Change ownership using `chown user: group file.txt`.

Lab: Searching Filesystems – Use commands like `find` and `grep`.

• Use `find /path -name ‘filename’` to locate files.
• Use `grep -r ‘search-term’ /path/` to search content.

Session 2a: Total Cost of Ownership

Lab: Total Cost of Ownership – Apply TCO concepts in a practical comparison.

• Compare cloud vs on-prem cost (hardware, software, licensing).
• Use Excel or Google Sheets to document monthly and yearly costs.
• Calculate break-even point, ROI, and 3-year projections.
• Compare TCO across cloud providers

Session 2b: Cloud Services

Lab: Cloud Computing – Launch and configure EC2 instance or Azure VM.

• Create free tier account on AWS or Azure.
• Launch Ubuntu instance (t2.micro or B1s).
• Configure SSH keypair, security groups/firewall.
• SSH into VM and update OS packages.

Lab: Bash Scripting – Write simple shell scripts for server automation.

• Create a `.sh` file and add `#!/bin/bash` at top.
• Use `echo`, `if`, `for`, `while`, `cron` examples.
• Run scripts using `bash script.sh` or `chmod +x script.sh`.

Session 3a: DNS & Certificates

Lab: DNS – Configure and test DNS using BIND or cloud provider.

• Register a domain (or use a free domain service like Freenom).
• Configure an A record to point to the server public IP.
• Use `dig` or `nslookup` to verify DNS propagation.

Lab: Digital Certificates – Use Let’s Encrypt to secure a server.

• Install Certbot: `sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx`.
• Run `sudo certbot –nginx` or `–apache`.

Session 3b: Server Automation

Lab: Scripting Linux Server Functions – Automate server tasks using scripts.

• Write script to automate update/backup tasks.
• Use cron jobs: `crontab -e` to schedule the script.
• Log output to a file using `>> /var/log/task.log`.

Sessin 4a: Lab Consultation & Additional Server Services

Participated in a Q&A session with the teaching staff

• List issues you’ve encountered and bring them up.
• Test all configurations before final presentation.
• Cloud First and Server Architecture Design – Considerations & Approaches

Experiment with another server service of interest (in discussion with the lecturer). Installed, configured, and tested an additional service of your choice.

• Choose from: MySQL, Jenkins, Samba, FTP, Docker, etc.
• Download the source for the server service to be installed
• Install service, eg. using apt or curl.
• Configure and test the basic functionality.
• Documented service configuration and testing steps in GitHub

Session 4b: Lab documentation & Reflection Journal,

Lab activity documentation and peer feedback.

• Prepare GitHub README with clear documentation.
• Create screenshots of your servers and commands.
• Be ready to explain what you did and what you learnt.
• Prepared a list of unresolved issues or conceptual doubts
• Received final feedback and clarifications on your server deployment
• Practised articulating technical concepts as a consultant would

Reflection on lab consultancy, peer demonstrations, and self-assessment

• Noted key improvements, obstacles faced, and how they were resolved
• Tools you used, Insights gained, lessons learned
• Related experience to future IT roles (System Admin, DevOps, etc.)

Video Demonstration Requirements

• Demonstration of all completed labs and your working cloud/Linux server.
• Self-narration explaining what you learned, including scripts, commands, and outputs.
• Webcam view included, with verbal reflection on challenges, insights, and decisions.
• Walkthrough of the additional server service you explored.
• Video link provided must be downloadable