CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview of SIWES

SIWES refers to the employment of students nearing under-graduation in firms or organizations,

which operate on activities related to the respective student’s major subjects.

The course, CSC 3299 as offered in Ajayi Crowther University is a compulsory subject offered
by every computer science student in the 2nd semester of the third academic year with the
objective of enabling students to come into contact with real life applications regarding the
knowledge and skills gained in both theoretical and practical courses of the university.

The core courses of Computer Science offered by ACU are both theory and laboratory practical -
based and aid in providing a theoretical concept or ‘base’ to the students so that they are
equipped with sufficient knowledge for joining the work force after completion of under-
graduation. SIWES on the other hand helps the students familiarize themselves with the
experience of being employed in their field and effectively learning and applying the knowledge
required by carrying out their activities in the offices and fields.

1.2 Objectives of SIWES

The general objectives if SIWES are outlined as follows:

 Helping students break free from the theoretical world of textbooks and class courses and leap
into the real world of applications of knowledge.

 Enabling the students to effectively interact in a work environment within a

hierarchy of employees. The efficiency in working in groups and under higher
authorities is tested during this course.

 Helping students to express dependability, initiative, resourcefulness and

professionalism in the tasks they are assigned.

 To evaluate the person’s ability to communicate and operate under pressure, if

required.

 To help students enhance their creativity and efficiency in dealing with

projects related to their field of study.

 To enable students to pick up skills from the experience and projects of other
employees to apply in their own tasks.

 To enable the student realize their relative strength in a field with many practical applications
and help students come out with final year projects that model real life industry challenges.

2.0 Origin of the Report

This report has been prepared as a requirement of the internship program. The report
was based upon the ICT department of the organization Nigerian civil aviation authority
(NCAA).

2.1 ORGANISATION BRIEFS AND STRUCTURE OF NCAA

Brief :
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory body for aviation in Nigeria. It became
autonomous with the passing into law of the Civil Aviation Act 2006 by the National Assembly
and assent of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Act not only empowers the
Authority to regulate Aviation Safety without political interference, but also to carry out
Oversight functions of Airports, Airspace, Meteorological Services, etc as well as economic
regulations of the industry.

Nigeria has just successfully passed through the ICAO Security follow-up Audit of May 2006
and the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit in November 2006. Nigeria is now preparing for
the American FAA IASA Category 1 Certification.

With over 25 Airports, 30 Airlines, 590 Pilots, 19 Flight Engineers, 258 Air Traffic
Controllers(ATC), 677 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, 1103 Cabin Crew and 4 Aircraft
Dispatchers, Nigeria now boasts of improved aviation infrastructural facilities at the Airports,
state of the art navigational aids, modern weather forecasting equipment and highly skilled
manpower to ensure safety and comfort of the flying public.
Airlines have started bringing in brand new aircraft to the industry 737-700 new generation,
Regional Jet CRJ 400/900, Dash 8-400Q, Business Jet/Turboprop, Helicopters, B777,
Dreamliner B787, Jumbo Jet Boeing 747-400 series as well as brand new Regional Jet Embraer.

3.0 NCAA STRUCTURE

Senior Management :
Director General: Dr. H.O. Demuren
Director of Airworthiness Standards: Engr. P. Ekunwe
Director of Licensing: Capt. Adamu Mshelia (Acting)
Director of Operations and Training: Capt. A. N. Aliyu (Acting)
Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards: Mr. Lawal Haruna

Director of Air Transport Regulation: Ms. I. Sosina

Director of Finance and Administration: Mrs. Elemanya Ebilah

Director of Consumer Protection: Alh. Abdullahi Adamu

Company Secretary/Legal Advisor: Mrs. A.A. Gbem
Organizational Chart:

4.0 BRIEFS ON ICT DEPARTMENT

4.1 Our Goal
To provide high quality, customer and staff-focused Information and Communication
Technology support for efficient and value-added service delivery.
4.2 What We Do
Our purpose is to ensure that our structures – such as all communication-based procedures for
the NCAA – within and outside – conforms to standard ICT platforms and practices, carefully
targeted to meet our goal.
4.3 Objectives
• To deploy modern-based ICT facilities that will become catalysts in the innovative processes of
effective aviation safety within our air-space
• To embark on an on-going process in which to foster better information and communication
access for aviation service users
• To provide the means by which information and communication knowledge is developed,
stored, aggregated, manipulated and diffused within and outside the NCAA and to become the
major transformational medium of aviation safety reformation
• To technologically support and enable NCAA’s full participation in the global economy

5.0 Responsibilities
• Advice on adoption of most efficiently and effective ICT policy
• Ascertain proper and smooth operations of computer systems at the headquarters
• Draw ICT and ICT-related Budgets
• Assess the impact of ICT in economic growth and development
• Drawing up specifications to facilitate procurement of appropriate computer hardware and
software related features within the organization
• Supervise the installation and commissioning of computer network systems
• Contact point on all ICT-issues.(i.e. ICT Management)
• Represents the organization in all forums on ICT-related issues
• Coordinate training of staffs on computer systems in line with E-Government Strategy to build
a proper ICT capacity within the organization
• Advice the organization on information security in the use of computers and Maintain
important information and data backups

CHAPTER 2 DESCRIPTION OF WORK DONE

During my six months SIWES at NCAA, I worked extensively in the Network and maintenance
unit, Where I gained a lot of experience in network environment and system maintenance.

6.1 NETWORK STRUCTURE OF NCAA:

6.2 SUMMARY ON THE NCAA NETWORK

NCAA uses a domain to organize the network environment. Domains are groups of PCs on the
same network and are a method to isolate communications between the members in the domain
and the other data traffic.. Anyone in a domain can communicate with each other and out bound,
however PCs not defined in the domain can not communicate with those in the domain.
Basically the network starts from when the satellite in space sends radio signals down to the
satellite dish receiver (ku-band, ka-band, c-band e.t.c). This satellite dish receiver is connected to
the private port of the internet modem then the public port of the modem is connected to the ISA
server which acts as the gateway to internet access. The ISA server is connected to a domain
controller which controls the domain environment by granting anyone who has a registered
account on the domain access to the internet recourse. I.e. anyone who does not have an account
or valid log on credentials cannot use the internet. Domain controller can also be used to control
the network environment by restricting the rights to chance setting on the workstation so that
only administrative rights can alter settings.
The ISA server is also connected to an antivirus server which monitors the automatic updates
and downloading of update for all workstation in the domain with a specific antivirus used for
the network installed on them. The ISA server is also connected to a 24 port switch which is
connected to the different switch cabinet in each directorate of office buildings (since it is a 24
port switch it take a maximum of 23 directorates, another switch can be connected to the first
switch in case of more buildings). Ever building has a cabinet where LAN (local area network)
connections are distributed to different offices. The cabinet comprises of switches and patch
panels. The patch panel is a device that is used as a repeater so that signals don’t get loss over a
long cable. One of the cables that comes from the main 24 port switch goes to the patch panel
then a RJ-45 cable is connected from the patch panel to the switch (mostly a 24-port switch) in
the cabinet (in case of two switches we have two patch panels.). The patch panel then distributes
the connection in the office or to other offices in the building as LAN port where workstations
can be connected to by the use of RJ-45 cable (workstations can also be connected directly to the
switch).
As for wireless connection, a wireless router or access point is placed at every passage way in
each building. The wireless access point is either connected to one of the switches in the cabinet
or the main 24-port switch.

Public port
Private port

Building 1 cabinet

LAN port workstation

IMAGE OF SERVER FOR NCAA’S HEADQUARTER

IMAGE OF ANTIVIRUS SERVER FOR NCAA’S HEADQUARTER

10.0 DESCIPTION OF DEVICES USED IN NCAA NETWORK

10.1 SATELLITE DISH AND FREQUENCY BAND
NCAA uses a ku-band (Kurtz under band) satellite dish with VSAT (Very Small
ApertureTerminal) installation equipment. VSAT is the equipment used to uplink and downlink
using either C, Ka or Ku band. There are various types of frequency bands, the three primary
bands are listed below:
 C-band
 Ka-band
 Ku-band
10.2 C Band
C Band is the oldest and most frequently used frequency for sending signals to satellite dishes.
The C band consumes 3.7 to 4.2 GHz for sending the signals to earth stations (known as
downlink) and 5.9 to 6.4 GHz for vice versa (known as uplink). This frequency band has been
found to operate under extreme weather conditions as well. It has been divided into 6
subcategories known as Extended C-Band, Super Extended, INSAT, Palapa, Russian, and LMI
band. The band requires large size Prime-Focal dishes commonly known as BUD to operate. The
dishes vary between three feet to nine feet. The band will require specific C-Band LNBF (Local
Noise Block Feed). It is mainly used to transmit older channels that operate on this band. C band
dishes are large in size approximately 6-7feet.

Diagram showing C-band dish Antenna

11.0 Ku Band
Ku Band or Kurtz Under band is used to transmit signals at high frequencies. The downlink
frequency of the band ranges from 11.7 to 12.7 GHz while uplink frequency ranges from 14 to
14.5 GHz. NBC started its transmission services on this band in 1983. The DVB or Digital Video
Broadcasting service utilizes this band. The North American satellites broadcast Ku band signals
because they operate in the same range of downlink and uplink frequency. The band consumes
more power than C Band due to additional data transfers. It also requires 16 to 24 transponders
used for broadcasting satellite service. It is mainly used to transmit FM Audio services and in
social and business network projects. The band requires Ku-band LNBF, coaxial cable, and a
C/Ku band feed horn antenna. RG-6 is the perfect coaxial cable for transmission.

Diagram of a Ku-Band-Solid-Dish-Antenna

12.0 Ka Band
Kurtz Above or Ka Band requires more power to transmit signals. The downlink frequency range
is 18.3 to 20.2 GHz while uplink frequency range is 27.5 to 31 GHz. The size of the dish for this
band is even smaller than C band. It varies from two feet to five feet. It is used extensively in
military airplanes and vehicle speed detection.

Diagram of a Ka-Band-Solid-Dish-Antenna

12.1 ISA server/proxy server/gateway

The ISA server also acts as a proxy server/gateway. A proxy server is a server that acts as an
intermediary between a workstation user and the Internet so that the enterprise can ensure
security, administrative control, and caching service. A proxy server is associated with or part of
a gateway server that separates the enterprise network from the outside network and a firewall
server that protects the enterprise network from outside intrusion.
An advantage of a proxy server is that its cache can serve all users. If one or more Internet sites
are frequently requested, these are likely to be in the proxy’s cache, which will improve user
response time. A proxy can also do logging.
A user on a workstation which is connected to the domain can only view the internet if the
address and port number of the ISA server is set in the proxy address and port settings.

13.0 HOW TO SET THE PROXY SETTINGS:

• STEP 1: Click tools then click internet options on the browser.
• STEP 2: Click on the connection tab and then click LAN settings.

• STEP 3: Type in the ISA server ip-address (e.g. 192.168.2.1) in the address box and also insert
the port number (e.g. 3128).

14.0 DOMAIN CONTROLLER

NCAA uses a domain to organize the network environment. Domains are groups of PCs on the
same network and also a method to isolate communications between the members in the domain
and the other data traffic.. Anyone in a domain can communicate with each other and out bound,
however PCs not defined in the domain can not communicate with those in the domain.
A domain controller is a device used to organize and control a domain environment. A domain
controller makes use of an active directory to organize all user account in the domain. An active
directory is a Microsoft technology, part of Active Platform, which enables applications to find,
use, and manage directory resources (such as user names, network printers, and permissions) in a
distributed computing environment.

Image of an active directory interface

15.0 HOW TO JOIN A WORKSTATION TO A DOMAIN
STEP 1: right-click on my-computer then click properties.
STEP 2: click on system properties.
STEP 3: click on computer name tab, click change.

STEP 4: Type in the computer name (e.g. pro 10), then click the domain radio button and type in
the domain name (e.g. dpetri.net), then click ok.

STEP 5: After clicking OK you would prompt with a username and password dialog box where
only those with administrative credentials would be able to logon. Type in the user name and
password, and then click OK.

STEP 5: After clicking OK, you would be prompted with a dialog box welcoming you to the
domain. Then restart the system.

17.0 ANTIVIRUS SERVER

The antivirus server is a separate system that is connected to the ISA server. It is used to protect
the network from harmful treats like spyware (i.e. worm, virus, adware e.t.c.). The antivirus
server makes use of windows server 2003 operating system, with a network antivirus (e.g. e-
trust) installed on it. For any workstation on the network to be protected by the network antivirus
server a copy of the network antivirus must be installed on them. To make the antivirus copy
work with the antivirus server the proxy settings must be set using the antivirus server Ip-address
(e.g. 192.168.2.4) as the address in the proxy settings.

18.0 MAIN SWITCH

The main switch is a switch that is used to distribute the network connection to different
buildings. A switch is a device that is used to link systems or workstations together. A switch is
mainly used in a star topology.
18.1 Properties of a switch:
• Collision: this is the jamming of signal in a transmission medium.
• Collision domain: this is the environment in which collision occurs.
• Broadcast: this is the sending of signal from a system to the rest of the system connected to the
switch. A broadcast is usually sent across all the collision domains as one virtual domain.
• Broadcast domain: this is the environment in which a broadcast is sent across.
• Multicast: this is the sending of signal from on system to a selected group of systems connected
to the switch.
• Unicast: this is a signal that is sent from on system to another.

18.2 Internal operations of a switch

A switch has one big channel (broadcast domain) with some dedicated path known as collision
domain. The number of collision domain depends on the number of ports on the switch (i.e. a 24-
port switch has 24-collision domain). Switches always have one broadcast domain no matter the
amount of ports.
A switch operates with a protocol called CSMA/CA (carrier sense multiple access/collision
avoidance). The CSMA/CA unlike the CSMA/CD (carrier sense multiple access/collision
detection) of a hub helps the switch to see a possible collision before it occurs and avoids it.

One broadcast domain

5-ports with 5-collision domain

Image of a 24-port switch
19.0 PATCH PANEL
A patch panel is a panel of network ports contained together, usually within a
telecommunications closet that connects incoming and outgoing lines of a LAN or other
communication, electronic or electrical system. In a LAN, the patch panel connects the
network’s computers to each other and to the outside lines that enable the LAN to connect to the
Internet or another WAN. Connections are made with patch cords. The patch panel allows
circuits to be arranged and rearranged by plugging and unplugging the patch cords. The use of a
patch panel is necessary because is help to repeat signals travelled over a cable from a long
distance to prevent data loss. A patch panel is connected to a switch respectively according to the
number on each port of both the switch and patch panel.

Image of a patch panel image of patch cables

Switch
Patch panel Image of a patch panel connection with a switch

20.0 ROUTER/VPN
A router is a device or a computer that is used to connect two or more networks together. Routers
are physical devices that join multiple wired or wireless networks together. Technically, a wired
or wireless router is a Layer 3 gateway, meaning that the wired/wireless router connects
networks (as gateways do), and that the router operates at the network layer of the OSI model. A
router can also be called a computer because it has a LAN-port, an operating system (OS) and
memory.
20.1 Router’s memories
• ROM (read only memory).
• DRAM (dynamic random access memory).
• NVRAM (non volatile RAM).
• FLASH.

ROM: This is a permanent memory that is used to store the hardware configuration of the router.
DRAM: This is a temporary memory that is used to store the running-configuration of the router.
NVRAM: This is a partially permanent memory that stores the startup-configuration of the
router.
FLASH: This is permanent memory that stores the IOS (Internetwork operating system) of the
router.

A router has an operating system and a user interface (depending on the brand of the router). The
user interface can be viewed by connecting the router via LAN-cable to a computer. There are
series of steps taken to view the user interface.
21.0 STEPS TO VIEW THE USER INTERFACE OF A ROUTER:
• Know the default ip-address of the router (usually 192.168.0.1).
• Connect the router to a computer.
• Open a browser.
• Click on the file tab.
• Click on open then a dialog box appears.
• Type in the Ip-address of the router in the text box and click OK, then a logon dialog box
appears. The default username and password are both admin and admin.
• Type in the username and password then click OK.
In the user interface you can change the Ip-address to suit your company setting, change the
security protocol (i.e. either WAP, WAP2, WEP e.t.c), router name e.t.c

An image of a wireless router

21.1 VPN: A VPN (virtual private network) is a device that uses a series of encryption and
algorithms to secure the data transmitted over the public internet. It allows users to work on their
company network from their home with a higher level of confidence that no one else can access
their work i.e. it provides a level of encryption so that an outsider would not be able to hack in to
the network. VPN eliminates distance between two computers and establish a secured connection
with two computers. A VPN can also act as a router in the sense that it can be used for
connecting two or more networks together.

Image of a VPN box

22.0 MAINTENANCE UNIT

On the 14th of July 2010 I was transferred to maintenance unit of NCAA headquarters. In this
unit I was fortunate to be exposed to knowledge on hardware and software.
22.1 Computer hardware identification
A computer system basically contains the following components/devices:
 System case
 Motherboard
 Processor
 Memory
 Graphics card
 Sound card
 Modem and NIC Card
 Hard disk
 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
 Monitor

22.2 System case:

A system case is required to hold all your components together. It houses all the internal
component of a system. The system cases come in two form factors which are AT and ATX.
Nearly all the cases made nowadays are ATX as the motherboard manufacturers make majority
of their motherboard in the ATX form.

Image of an ATX system case

23.0 Motherboard:
A motherboard is the central printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer that holds many of the
crucial components of the system, while providing connectors for other peripherals. The
motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the main board, system board. Most
motherboards made nowadays are ATX. An ATX motherboard has the standard I/O
(Input/output) connectors such as PS/2 ports, parallel ports, serial ports, etc, built onto the
motherboard. Old AT motherboard on the other hand uses I/O cards and cables which requires to
be plugged into the motherboard, which gets a bit untidy. AT motherboard requires AT keyboard
and AT power supply. ATX motherboard fits into an ATX case and comes with an ATX power
supply. The following is a picture of an ATX motherboard

Image of a motherboard

24.0 Processor:
The processor (CPU, for Central Processing Unit) is the computer’s brain. It allows the
processing of numeric data, information entered in binary form, and the execution of instructions
stored in memory. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for interpreting and
executing most of the commands from the computer’s hardware and software. It is often called
the “brains” of the computer.

Image of a processor
25.0 Memory:
A memory is the name given to a silicon chips that stores volatile computer data. The word
Volatile means that the contents of memory will be lost if the power of the computer switched
off. Memory stores some of your operating system and application data while it is being run. The
more memory you have in your computer the higher the amount of application you can run
simultaneously, and will provide an overall better system performance.
Memory comes in different forms. The older system uses SDRAM, while the current system uses
DDR-SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory).

Image of a memory module

CHAPTER 3 RELEVANCE OF WORK EXPERIENCE TO STUDIES

At Nigerian civil aviation authority (NCAA) I was exposed to new practical experience of
networking, system maintenance and Information Technology. All the theoretical aspects that I
have learnt over the years at the university are relevant to my work experience and I have seen
how my experiences can be applied to this fast developing IT world.

CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATION

27.0 RECOMMENDATION
From this experience carried out during the industrial training period. I hereby humbly make the
following recommendation believing that when carefully followed there will be a way forward to
a better future.
1. Six months of SIWES should be strictly adhered to because there is really much to learn

2. ITF should pay students during training to alleviate the problems of transportation than
waiting till the end of the program

3. ITF should pay students during training to alleviate the problems of transportation than
waiting till the end of the programme. The present allowance should be reviewed upward to
reflect present economic realities.

4. The supervisors from the universities and ITF should visit the students at the right time, as this
really would be a motivation

28.0 CONCLUSION
My SIWES was a very successful one, I had an insight of the information security world. I have
now known the power of networking and computer maintenance. With this, I will be able setup a
simple network and maintain my computer and other devices.
SIWES as a course has truly exposed me to the challenges faced in a growing information world
that is dependent on computers.