Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
Department of Computing MSc
Computing
Level: 7
Module: CONL736 Database Systems
Assignment: 2
Submission Date:
Estimated Completion time: 48 Hours
Lecturer: Bindu Jose
Verified by: Nigel Houlden
To be completed by student:
explicitly permitted, this work is the result of my individual
I certify that, other than where collaboration has been
Name: ..........................................................
effort and that all sources for materials have been acknowledged. I also confirm that I have read and Student
Number:.........................................
within the Glyndwr Academic Regulations and that, by
understood the codes of practice on plagiarism contained Date
Submitted: .........................................
signing this printed form or typing my name on an electronically submitted version, I am agreeing to be dealt with
accordingly in any case of suspected unfair practice. I also certify that my attendance for the module has been at least 70%
Student Signature: .....................................
Are extenuating circumstances being claimed? YES / NO
If YES, give reference number: --------------------------------------
To be completed by lecturer Comments:
Grade / Mark
(Indicative: may change when
moderated)
Assignment 2 (Overall Weighting – 50%)
Help Desk Scenario
Assignment Description
The assignment is based on help desk scenario. Continuing from the work you have carried
out as a Database Consultant for Assignment 1 you have now been promoted to a
DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR. You are based at their head office and have been asked to
manage and administer their centralised database which stores the details of the Helpdesk
department. As part of your job, you have to write reports discussing the following issues and
identifying the best practice/strategy.
Database Security
The Company employs a number of staff who have different job roles and permissions. Each
area has a Manager who requires information on performance. An Office Administrator looks
after this performance information as well as the staff details and general information
regarding the different types of staff. Helpdesk operators specialise in helping Callers and
are the first line of contact. They take details of the Callers and problem. When Callers have
queries it is answered by the Helpdesk operator who try to solve the problem however if it is
complex then a Specialist will be allocated to investigate and fix the problem. IT Support staff
are responsible for keeping an up to date inventory of all the software and hardware. Callers
are able to inspect the progress of their problem using the problem number given to them by
the helpdesk staff.
Backup and Security Strategy:
Task:
As a database Administrator you are responsible for the security, availability and integrity of
the data. But different kinds of threats and unavoidable failure can cause unauthorized
access and corrupt of data.
Write a report, discussing the types of security threats and failures that might occur within the
Oracle database environment and evaluating various security measures, backup and
recovery strategies that could be implemented to ensure the data security, availability and
integrity in the given company.
Special considerations should be given to user and their access right, and should consider
various recovery strategies like differential files, shadow paging, mirroring, fallback areas etc.
Critically recommend a security and backup strategy for the given scenario. The selection
should be fully justified and should explain how the proposed strategy would ensure data
security and data recovery following a failure. Use relevant examples and references.
(3000 words +/-10%)
Guidance
Students will get assistance to complete the tasks through the tutorial sessions.
Submission
The assignment should be word-processed. This specification document should be filed at
the front of the assignment, with the front sheet (with your Name, Student Number, Date and
Signature) visible at the front. All Tasks must be completed and submitted as a single file via
Moodle.
The Glyndwr policy on assignment submission will be rigidly adhered to (see your Student
Handbook).
Learning Outcomes
1. Appraise the key issues in a database environment and the methods used to deal with
these problems.
2. Critically evaluate database recovery mechanisms and discuss how they could be used
to recover a database from various types of disasters.
Key skills for employability
1. Written, oral and media communication skills
2. Leadership, team working and networking skills
3. Opportunity, creativity and problem solving skills
4. Information technology skills and digital literacy
5. Information management skills
6. Research skills
7. Intercultural and sustainability skills
8. Career management skills
9. Learning to learn (managing personal and professional development, self
management)
10. Numeracy
Basis for assessment
A A mark in this range will be awarded to any student who demonstrates an excellent
understanding of the problem and delivers a complete and good solution to all tasks.
The student’s arguments will be supported by relevant examples and be correctly
referenced.
B+ A mark in this range will be awarded to any student who demonstrates a good
understanding of the problem and delivers a good solution to all tasks. The majority
of the student’s arguments will be supported by relevant examples and be correctly
referenced.
B A mark in this range will be awarded to any student who demonstrates a reasonable
understanding of the problem and delivers a satisfactory solution to all tasks. Most of
the student’s arguments will be supported by relevant examples and be correctly
referenced.
C A mark in this range will be awarded to any student who demonstrates some
understanding of the problem and delivers a satisfactory solution to all tasks. Work of
a reasonable standard, but lacking examples and correct referencing will fall into this
category.
Refer A Refer will be given to work that is unsatisfactory or contains serious
errors/limitations.
