Course version

This course outline applies to version 1.0 of AWS Academy Data Center Technician in English.

Description

The AWS Academy Data Center Technician course is designed to help students develop technical expertise in data center operations. This course is for learners enrolled in a data center operations, engineering, or information technology track in a STEM course at a higher education academic institution. This course also helps to re-skill data center professional learners.

Curriculum objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:

Section 1: Hardware

Describe a computer, operating system (OS), and program
Recognize a computer installation, repair tools, and safety rules
Identify the components of a motherboard, and steps to install or remove one
Define the functions of a processor in a PC, and the steps to install or remove one
Define memory in a PC
Identify the types of storage drives and how to install them
Define a power supply unit (PSU), and the steps to install and remove one from a PC
Recognize the functions of a graphics card, and how to install, remove, and troubleshoot one
Identify basic hardware peripherals

Section 2: Software

Define OS fundamentals
Explain the installation of an OS and how to create disk partitions
Describe OS configuration (including application, drivers, and firewall)
Describe the installation and configuration of various web browsers, and how to manage them
Define file systems
Describe the basics of using the command line interface (CLI)
Define an OS process and process control block (PCB)
Define memory, paging, segmentation, and memory swapping
Define the basic ways to use Microsoft Office

Section 3: Networking

Identify the fundamentals of networking
Define the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) model, function of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and function of a Domain Name System (DNS)
Identify copper networking cables, fiber data cables, and optical fiber transceivers
Compare the different cabinets and racks used in a data center
Recognize the process of data transmission through networks
Understand IP and subnetting

Section 4: Programming

Describe the basic concepts of structured programming
Define a string and its use case
Identify the use of loops in computer programming
Define an array and the two different methods to assign values to an array

Section 5: Applications and Mathematics

Identify operations for fractions, powers, percentages and how to convert between decimal, hexadecimal, binary, and octal number systems
Recognize the basics of databases
Define logic, probability, and graphs

Section 6: Web Development

Describe the basics of web development

Duration

The course duration is approximately 36 hours when delivered synchronously by an educator. Detailed timings are provided in this document. Actual delivery times will vary from class to class and depending on the delivery format.

Intended audience

This introductory (level 100) course is intended for students of AWS Academy member institutions who are interested in data center technician (DCT) roles within a data center.

Student prerequisites

This is an entry-level course, but students should possess general knowledge of mechanical or electrical engineering.

Delivery methods

Learning materials are provided to support synchronous or asynchronous learning. PowerPoint slides and educator guides are provided for delivery by an educator through an in-person, online, or hybrid approach. Digital modules are provided for independent learning. The educator can determine the preferred delivery method for each module.

Educator prerequisites

Prior to teaching the course, it is highly recommended that educators complete the course and assessment, and receive the certificate of completion.

Learning resources

Lecture slides
Instructor guides
Digital training modules
End-of-module online knowledge checks
End-of-course online assessment

Course timing

This table provides the suggested durations for all course activities. Items that are not applicable are marked NA.

Module Number and Title	Lecture Duration (Minutes)	Knowledge Check Duration (Minutes)	Total Module Duration (Minutes)
Section 1: Hardware	NA	NA	NA
Module 1: Hardware Fundamentals	45	10	45
Module 2: Hardware Used to Work on Computers	30	10	40
Module 3: Motherboards	30	10	40
Module 4: Processors	30	10	40
Module 5: Memory	60	10	70
Module 6: Storage Drives	60	10	70
Module 7: Power Supplies	45	10	55
Module 8: Graphics Cards	45	10	55
Module 9: Hardware Peripherals	90	10	100
Section 2: Software	NA	NA	NA
Module 10: Operating System Fundamentals	90	10	100
Module 11: Operating System Installation	45	10	55
Module 12: Operating System Configuration	105	10	115
Module 13: Web Browsers	75	10	85
Module 14: File System	75	10	85
Module 15: Command Line	60	10	70
Module 16: Processing	60	10	70

Module Number and Title	Lecture Duration (Minutes)	Knowledge Check Duration (Minutes)	Total Module Duration (Minutes)
Module 17: Memory Management	30	10	40
Module 18: Microsoft Office	45	10	55
Section 3: Networking	NA	NA	NA
Module 19: Networking Fundamentals	45	10	55
Module 20: Models and Protocols	60	10	70
Module 21: Network Links	75	10	85
Module 22: Physical Network	60	10	70
Module 23: Data Transmission	30	10	40
Module 24: IP and Subnetting	45	10	55
Section 4: Programming	NA	NA	NA
Module 25: Programming Fundamentals	90	10	100
Module 26: Strings	45	10	55
Module 27: Loops	30	10	40
Module 28: Arrays	60	10	70
Section 5: Applications and Mathematics	NA	NA	NA
Module 29: Mathematics Fundamentals	30	10	40
Module 30: Databases	105	10	115
Module 31: Logic, Probability, and Graphs	60	10	70
Section 6: Web Development	NA	NA	NA
Module 32: Web Development Fundamentals	60	10	70
Total Course Time	1,815	320	2,135

Course contents

This list provides the sections within each module.

Section 1: Hardware

Module 1: Hardware Fundamentals

Define a computer
Differentiate between types of computers
Define a program
Knowledge check

Module 2: Hardware Used to Work on Computers

Apply safety best practices when working with a computer
Identify tools required for working with a computer
Knowledge check

Module 3: Motherboards

Identify components of a motherboard
Remove and insert a motherboard
Knowledge check

Module 4: Processors

Define the functions of a processor
Install and remove a processor
Knowledge check

Module 5: Memory

What is computer storage and why is it needed?
Explain how memory functions within a computer
Explain cache, access, and packaging
Troubleshoot faulty random access memory (RAM) modules
Knowledge check

Module 6: Storage Drives

Differentiate the types of drives available: hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), Universal Serial Bus (USB), tape cartridge
Explain the use case for each type of drive
Insert and remove each type of drive
Troubleshoot each type of drive
Knowledge check

Module 7: Power Supplies

Identify the use case of a PSU
Install and remove a PSU
Troubleshoot a PSU
Knowledge check

Module 8: Graphics Cards

Define the functions of a graphics card
Remove and install a graphics card
Troubleshoot a graphics card
Knowledge check

Module 9: Hardware Peripherals

Differentiate the various types of keyboards
Differentiate the various types of mice
Differentiate the various types of monitors
Explain the use case of serial ports
Connect and configure a printer
Connect and configure a scanner
Knowledge check

Section 2: Software

Module 10: Operating System Fundamentals

Explain the operating system architecture
Differentiate between application software and system software
Differentiate between Windows and Linux environments
Explain the boot process of a computer
Identify and explain the use cases of a graphical user interface (GUI)
Identify and explain the use cases of a CLI
Knowledge check

Module 11: Operating System Installation

Explain how to install an OS
Explain how to create disk partitions
Differentiate between dual and single boot modes
Knowledge check

Module 12: Operating System Configuration

Add, configure, and edit a user account
Install and update application software
Troubleshoot application software
Explain the use of device drivers
Install and update device drivers
Define what plug and play (PnP) means
Identify the use case of a firewall
Knowledge check

Module 13: Web Browsers

Install and configure various web browsers
Use various search engines
Create new bookmarks and categorize them into folders
Back up and restore bookmarks
Locate search history and bookmarks
Knowledge check

Module 14: File System

Identify common file types
Manage files and directories
Navigate the file system
Describe how to mount and unmount file systems
Identify common file system formats
Knowledge check

Module 15: Command Line

Navigate a Windows system with the command prompt
Conduct common Windows tasks with the command prompt
Navigate a Linux system with a command line
Conduct common Linux tasks with a command line
Knowledge check

Module 16: Processing

Explain a PCB
Identify various process states
Explain the process lifecycle
Configure process scheduling policies
Knowledge check

Module 17: Memory Management

Define process paging, segmentation, and virtual memory
Differentiate between memory paging and swapping
Knowledge check

Module 18: Microsoft Office

Using Microsoft Outlook
Using Microsoft Word
Using Microsoft PowerPoint
Knowledge check

Section 3: Networking

Module 19: Networking Fundamentals

Differentiate between switching and routing
Identify components required to create a network
Differentiate between a local area network (LAN), personal area network (PAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), and wide area network (WAN)
Knowledge check

Module 20: Models and Protocols

Explain each layer of the OSI model
Explain the TCP/IP model
Explain the function and stages of DHCP
Explain the function of a DNS
Knowledge check

Module 21: Network Links

Identify copper networking cables
Identify the various types of fibers and their use cases
Identify the various types of optics and their use cases
Describe how to correctly handle fiber and copper cables
Troubleshoot fiber and copper network cables
Knowledge check

Module 22: Physical Network

Identify IT cabinets and frames
Identify types of cable containment
Identify types of structured wiring
Compare types of fiber optical cabling
Knowledge check

Module 23: Data Transmission

Explain data encapsulation
Explain data encryption and decryption use cases
Knowledge check

Module 24: IP and Subnetting

Differentiate the classes of IP addresses
Define the function of network address translation (NAT)
Calculate subnet masks
Knowledge check

Section 4: Programming

Module 25: Programming Fundamentals

Differentiate between various programming languages
Define the use case of pseudocode and comments
Define a variable and its use case
Assign a value to a variable
Identify the control construct of a program
Define the use case of a function
Knowledge check

Module 26: Strings

Define a string and its use case
Assign a value to a string
Modify the value assigned to a string
Knowledge check

Module 27: Loops

Identify and construct loops
Describe continuous loops and breaks
Knowledge check

Module 28: Arrays

Recognize an array and its use case
Assign values to an array
Sort, search, and modify values within an array
Define a multidimensional array
Knowledge check

Section 5: Applications and Mathematics

Module 29: Mathematics Fundamentals

Calculate fractions, powers, and percentages
Convert and calculate binary, octal, and hexadecimal numbers
Knowledge check

Module 30: Databases

Explain the use case of a database
Differentiate between a database and an Excel document
Define the functions of a database schema
Create a table within a database
Differentiate between the various field properties
Explain the relationship between primary and foreign keys
Insert, update, and retrieve information using basic structured query language (SQL) queries
Knowledge check

Module 31: Logic, Probability, and Graphs

Calculate “AND” and “IF…THEN” operators
Count and calculate probabilities
Differentiate between linear and quadratic graphs
Assess and calculate graph data
Knowledge check

Section 6: Web Development

Module 32: Web Development Fundamentals

Explain the process for hosting a webpage
Create and apply a style sheet to a webpage
Construct a basic webpage using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
Add images, videos, and hyperlinks to a webpage
Knowledge check