Ten boxes and one Monday
A small college is moving into a new building. Ten boxes arrive: a server, a security box, switches, laptops and more.
The first person to plug things in at random will lose a day. The first person to make a plan will finish before lunch.
Today you learn what goes in the plan, and in which order.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Server | a computer that gives a service to other computers |
| Physical server | a real machine with its own parts, in a rack or a cabinet |
| Virtual server | a server made of software that runs on a real machine |
| Operating system | the main software that runs a computer, such as Windows or Linux |
| Security utility | a program that protects, such as anti-virus software |
| Firewall | a device or program that allows or blocks traffic by rules |
| Load balancer | a device that shares requests between servers |
| DNS | a service that turns a name into an address |
| DHCP | a service that gives each device an address when it joins |
| End user device | a device a person uses, such as a laptop or a phone |
| Database | an organised store of records that programs can search and change |
| Router | a device that passes data between networks |
| Malware | software made to harm a computer or steal from it |
| Network | computers and devices joined so they can share data |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can plan the order in which the parts of a physical or virtual network are installed and configured.
Starter
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Starter
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Choose the server type first
A physical server is a real box. You fit it in a rack, connect power and cables, and install an operating system on it.
A virtual server is made in software on a real host. You make it with a few clicks. You never touch a cable for it.
Both need an operating system. Choose Windows when the staff need Windows tools. Choose Linux when you want a light, low cost system.
Then the applications
A server is only useful when it runs something. Install each application after the operating system.
A database stores the college records. A security utility, such as anti-virus software, protects the server from malware.
Install the security utility early. A server with no protection should never be put on the network.
Check
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Check
4 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.