ICON College of Technology and Management

Course: BTEC HND in Computing

(ICT Systems Support)
Unit 01: Computer Platform (H1)
Session: February 2010
Coursework
word limit: 3,000

Assignment

Scenario

You have been working as a lead member in the IT department of an Advance Video
Processing Company. There are two main Video Analytics (VA) Laboratories used by the
Company. Recently, the Company has taken up a new major Project on “Video Analytics for
Smart Cameras”. Thus, the Company’s Director has asked you to urgently configure and order
9 new Computer Systems (PCs) needed for the new Project. The 8 of the 9 new machines you
need to configure them and ordered them for being used by the 8 main Research Scientists
working in the Company. There will be located 4 machines in each Laboratory. The 9 th
machine will be used as the main Backup Server located to the Company’s main Backup Room
and dedicated solely for the purposes of this new Project.

The machines need to be configured for interfacing with the Texas Instruments (TI) DaVinci
Series of Embedded Digital Signal Processor (DSP) used in the Smart Camera. In effect, TI
DaVinci Series platforms run on an embedded Linux Operating System (OS) and the suggested
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) will be Eclipse for programming them. However,
the VA development will be done using Matlab vR2010a. The Smart Camera comes with an
on-board removable flash memory card of 20GB. Also, the 8 configured PCs must allow real-
time Video capturing and processing. All the Research Scientists can exchange their files
during this large software system development (the VA for the Smart Camera) using the 9 th PC
which is set as a Backup Server. Also, all 8 Research Scientists must have a login account to
each of the 8 configured PCs. IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi Internet and Email Services must be
provided for each system using the already existing Services in the Company.

The Unit Assignment consists of FOUR parts:

SECTION 1

Investigate the different cutting-edge Computer Systems currently on-market and configure the
9 required PCs for the Company’s new project of “VA for Smart Cameras”.

The authorised and approved by the Company’s Orders and Sales (aka Finance and
Accounting) Department suppliers are currently Dell and Viglen. You need to configure and
order the required PCs from the suppliers’ websites. The 8 of the 9 configured PCs will be
used by the 8 main Research Scientists of the Research and Development (R&D) Department
of the Company and the 9th configured PC will be mainly used as a Backup Server. The
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machines need to be configured for interfacing with the TI DaVinci Series of Embedded
Microcomputer (DSP) used in the Smart Camera. The TI DSP comes with various output
connectors including USB 2.0, UART, I2C, Wireless I/O, IEEE 1394 and others. Also, it
supports up to 20GB external Flash Memory Card. The configured PCs need to have provision
of Memory Flash Card Reader. Additionally, for testing the Smart Camera the PCs need to
support real-time Video Capturing via IEEE 1394 Standard Connector, e.g. FireWire, Lynx
and i.LINK, and real-time Video Processing. All the Research Scientists of the R&D
Department located in the main 2 Laboratories of the Company can exchange their files during
this large software system development using the 9th PC which is set as a Backup Server i.e.
though there are no requirements for the Backup Server to support real-time Video Capturing
and real-time Video processing there is a firm need for loads of Backup Storage space
performed in real-time. All the 9 PCs (including the Backup Server) have a requirement of
real-time Graphics/Video Cards and a minimum of 17-inch Monitors to support High-
Definition (HD) resolutions i.e. 1080p.

The “VA for Smart Cameras” project has a requirement for experimenting on optimising the
developed algorithms using the latest Quad-Core and Dual-Core Processors technologies in the
configured at least 8 PCs during the algorithms’ code deployment in the TI DSP by the
Research Scientists of the Company’s R&D Department.

The usual IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi Internet and Email Services using the existing Company’s
network infrastructure must be supported by all 9 configured machines.

The suggested way for presenting the final selections of the configured PCs will be in a Table
Format where the PCs parts’ (items) selections are clearly shown with an additional column of
brief item’s properties, e.g. 1 TB HDD, RAID 0,1 support etc.

SECTION 2

(a) Investigate the different Operating Systems that can be used in the configured PCs. TI
DaVinci Series DSP runs on an embedded Linux OS and it is programmed using
Eclipse IDE for Linux OS. Though there is no specific demand for a Linux version,
e.g. Red Hat Enterprise, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, investigate the different versions and
discuss your choice based on, for example, the Drivers availability, Technical Support
and Technical Forums existing for each version. However, the VA development will
be done using Matlab vR2010a under Windows environment. Make the appropriate OS
choices discussing and explaining the reasons of your selections.

(b) Discuss your selected hardware choices for the configured PCs.

(c) Make suggestions on additional Application Software required by the R&D Department
Scientists, e.g. Ulead/Corel Video Studio software package for Video editing; other
Video and Image Processing software packages etc.

Part of the project will be a remote-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the Smart
Cameras which the R&D Department will develop in Java and Visual Basic
programming languages as well as in XML. Make suggestions on Java and Visual
Basic IDEs and XML editor required for the development of the GUI.

Explain the reasons of your selected Application Software and briefly describe each
Application Software Package and Tool.
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 Visit TI main website:

http://focus.ti.com/paramsearch/docs/parametricsearch.tsp?
family=dsp&sectionId=2&tabId=1852&familyId=1300

and make suggestions on other possible Software Tools offered in the website and may
be needed for the TI DaVinci DSP development and programming.

SECTION 3

(a) Investigate the Security issues needed to be addressed during the project’s R&D.

Discuss different physical and logical Security measures, e.g. login accounts, levels of
access rights, network Firewall etc., and make specific suggestions on the different
Application Software Tools to be installed in the configured PCs for achieving
autonomously managed protection AGAINST Virus, Hacking (Spyware), and Third
Party system Intrusion (Adware).

Discuss the possibilities of network Data Encryption Software.

(b) Investigate and discuss software and hardware Testing methodologies for the
configured PCs i.e. White-Box and Black-Box Testing for hardware and software

(c) Suggest and discuss possible Backing Up Systems and Backup Rotation Schemes that
can be used during the R&D of the project.

SECTION 4

(a) USER DOCUMENTATION: List all the software installed in the configured systems,
including the Security software tools and any usual text editors and spreadsheets, e.g.
MS Office. Explain briefly their properties and use.

(b) Investigate and discuss any Health & Safety issues need to be considered during the
dispatch and installation in the two Laboratories of the configured PCs; discuss what
are the Health & Safety protection policies to ensure are followed during electrical and
electronic equipment, i.e. PCs including Monitors, use in the Laboratories where the
configured PCs will be dispatched and installed.

(c) Discuss what are the maintenance needs for the configured PCs and installed software,
i.e. hardware and software maintenance of the PCs, e.g. software updates, hardware
drivers updates etc.

(d) Discuss what possible User Support issues may arise currently and in future during the
use of the configured PCs and installed software.

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 Relevant Information

1. Outcome of the Units

Outcome Assessment Criteria Section

1. Investigate computer  Select machine components or sub- Section 1,
systems systems appropriate to given tasks Section2 (b),
[P1.1,M1.1, D1.1] TCA
 Evaluate the performance of the of the
selected system[P1.2, M1.2, D1.2]
2. Investigating  Contrast the functions and features of Section 2 (a),
operating systems different types of operating system TCA
[P2.1, M2.1, D2.1]
 Understand how to customise operating
system [P2.2, M2.2, D2.2]
3. Design a computer  Investigate and identify the key Section 1,
system components for a computer system for a Section 2,
particular user [P3.1, M3.1, D3.1] Section 3 (a),
 Specify a complete computer system to TCA
suit a given task [P3.2, M3.2, D3.2]
4. Test a computer  Produce a plan that checks the main Section 3 (b),
system hardware and software components, Section 3 (c),
using standard techniques [P4.1. M4.1, Section 4, TCA
D4.1]
 Produce user documentation for your
system [P4.2, M4.2, D4.2]
 Produce a security policy for your
system [P4.3, M4.3, D4.3]
 Demonstrate that the system meets
health and safety requirements [P4.4,
M4.4, D4.4]

2. Grading Criteria of this coursework (overall)

Pass Merit Distinction

a. All or most outcomes and
associated assessment
criteria have been met.
b. Reasonable concepts on
the subject covered by the
Sections in the coursework
have been demonstrated in
own words.
c. Listed All References.
d. TCA (in the form of
Examination) has been
passed.
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a. Pass requirement achieved –
ALL outcomes and associated
criteria have been met.
b. Listed ALL References
c. Substantial concepts on the
subject matter covered by the
Sections in the coursework have
been demonstrated.
d. Solution solving strategies of the
overall Unit Assignment Scenario
and the individual questions of the
different Sections have been
identified and applied.
e. Investigation of the different
possible Computer Systems and
OS has been done and the
appropriate Computer System and
a. Pass and Merit Requirement
achieved.
b. Listed ALL References.
c. First-rate concept of the subject
matter covered by the Sections in the
coursework has been demonstrated.
d. Critical reflection to evaluate own
work and justify valid decisions for the
each of the Sections questions is
evident.
e. Autonomy/independence in the form
of making the various selections of the
Computer System parts and OS, and the
different Software tools needed to match
the particular requirements of the given
Project Scenario is clearly demonstrated
together with clear evaluation of all the
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 OS has been chosen after various hardware and software
comparative analysis. solutions.
f. All the Computer System’s f. An overall very good presentation
selections and OS, and all the format of the submitted work, including
Software tools required have been Title Page, Contents Page and clear
presented in Table Format together Sections and questions’ headings.
with brief description of each Table Creative thinking in the form of solving
item entry. the overall Project’s scenario and
answering adequately all the Sections’
questions together with critical
discussion and explanation of the
Designed Computer System(s). All the
Computer Systems’ Testing and User
Support issues, e.g. User
Documentation, Systems’ Security,
Health & Safety etc., have been clearly
discussed.

3. Section related specific guidelines for Pass/Merit/Distinction

Pass Merit Distinction

(P1, P2, P3, P4) (M1, M2, M3, M4) (D1, D2, D3, D4)

Section 1  Use the Authorised  Pass criteria met.  Pass and Merit criteria
Suppliers by the  Present in Table met.
Company’s Sales & Format ALL the  Configure
Orders Department on- different parts of the CORRECTLY and
line Websites (Dell or required Computer adequately to match
Viglen) to configure System(s) together ALL the Project
the different parts of with brief description Scenario’s
the required Computer on some properties of requirements the
System(s). each part in a different Computer
 Present in Table separate Table Systems. Present in
Format you’re your Column. Table Format ALL the
selected Computer different parts of the
System items (parts). configured Computer
Systems together with
brief but clear
description on related
to the Scenario required
properties of each
selected part in a
separate Table Column.

Section 2  Investigate the different  Pass criteria met.  Pass and Merit criteria
OS that can be used in  Make the appropriate met.
the configured PCs. OS choices for the  Apply critical thinking
 Explain your choices configured PCs. in explaining and
for the different Explain and discuss discussing the reasons
hardware parts of the the reasons of your comparatively of your
configured PCs. OS selections. hardware parts choices
 Explain and discuss for the configured PCs.
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 your choices for the Apply critical thinking
different hardware in explaining and
parts of the discussing the reasons
configured PCs. comparatively of your
 Make suggestions on OS choices for the
any additional configured PCs in
Application Software respect to the Project
Packages and Tools Scenario’s
required by the R&D requirements.
Department to be  Explain and discuss
installed in the your selections of the
configured PCs. additional Application
Software Packages and
Tools required by the
R&D Department to be
installed in the
configured PCs. Give
brief description of
each selected Software
Package and Tool.
 Visit TI main website
and make suggestions
on other Software
Tools needed for the
programming and
development of the TI
DaVinci DSP.
Section 3  Investigate the different  Pass criteria met.  Pass and Merit criteria
Security issues needed  Discuss different met.
to be addressed during physical and logical  Discuss different
the R&D of the Security measures. physical and logical
Company’s new Make specific Security measures.
Project. suggestions on the Make specific
 Investigate and discuss different Application suggestions and explain
different software and Software Tools to be the use of each of the
hardware Testing installed in the different Application
methodologies for the configured PCs for Software Tools to be
configured PCs i.e. achieving installed in the
White-Box and Black- autonomously configured PCs for
Box Software and managed protection achieving
Hardware Testing. against Virus, autonomously managed
Hacking (Spyware) protection against
and Third Party Virus, Hacking
Intrusion (Adware). (Spyware) and Third
 Investigate different Party Intrusion
Backing Up Systems (Adware).
that can be used.  Discuss different
network Data
Encryption Software
packages that can be
used.
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  Apply critical thinking
Section 4  User Documentation:  Pass criteria met.  Pass and Merit criteria
List all the Application  In the User
Software Packages and Documentation, list 
Tools installed in the ALL the Application
configured PCs Software Packages
including the Security and Tools installed in
Software Tools and any the configured PCs
usual text editors and including the Security
spreadsheets. Tools and any usual
 Investigate any Health text editors and
& Safety issues need to spreadsheets.
be considered during Explain briefly their
the dispatch and properties and use.
installation in the two  Investigate and
Laboratories of the discuss any Health &
configured PCs. Safety issues need to
be considered during
the dispatch and
installation in the two
Laboratories of the
configured PCs.
 Discuss what are the 
maintenance needs
for the configured
PCs and installed
software i.e.
hardware and
software maintenance
of the PCs.
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in making specific
suggestions on different
Backing Up Systems
that can be used taking
advantage the 9th
configured PC as a
Backup Server.
Discuss the different
Backup Rotation
Schemes that can be
used for the Company’s
new project.
met.
Investigate and discuss
any Health & Safety
issues need to be
considered during the
dispatch and
installation in the two
Laboratories of the
configured PCs; discuss
what are the Health &
Safety protection
policies to ensure are
followed during
electrical and electronic
equipment, i.e. PCs
including Monitors, use
in the Laboratories
where the configured
PCs will be dispatched
and installed.
Apply critical thinking
in investigating and
discussing what
possible User Support
issues may arise
currently and in future
during the use of the
configured PCs and
installed System and
Application Software.
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4. Preparation guidelines of the Coursework Document
a. All coursework must be word processed.
b. Document margins must not be more than 2.54 cm (1 inch) or less than 1.9cm (3/4 inch).
c. Font size must be within the range of 10 point to 14 point including the headings and body
text.
d. Standard and commonly used type face such as Times new Roman or Arial etc should be
used.
e. All figures, graphs and tables must be numbered.
f. Material taken from external sources must be properly refereed and cited within the text
using a Harvard standard
g. Word limit must be strictly followed.

5. Plagiarism
Any act of plagiarism will be seriously dealt with according to the regulations. In this context
the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below:

Plagiarism is presenting somebody else’s work as your own. It includes copying information
directly from the Web or books without referencing the material; submitting joint coursework
as an individual effort; copying another student’s coursework; stealing coursework from
another student and submitting it as your own work. Suspected plagiarism will be investigated
and if found to have occurred will be dealt with according to the college procedure. (For
details on Plagiarism please see the student hand book)

6. Submission
a. All coursework must be submitted to the assigned person (not to the Tutor) and a receipt
must be obtained. Under no circumstances other College staff accepts them.
b. The copy of the coursework submitted will not be returned to you after marking
c. Any computer files generated such as program code (software), graphic files that form part
of the coursework must be submitted on a floppy disc or CD together with the documentation.
d. The student must attach a copy of the question in between the cover page and the answer.

7. Good practice
a. Make backup of your work in different media (hard disk, floppy disk, memory stick etc) to
avoid distress for loss or damage of your original copy.
b. Make an extra hardcopy of your work submitted for your own reference or later use

8. Extension and Late Submission

a. If you need an extension for a valid reason, you must request one using a coursework
extension request form available from the college. Please note that the lecturers do not have the
authority to extend the coursework deadlines and therefore do not ask them to award a
coursework extension. The completed form must be accompanied by evidence such as a
medical certificate in the event of you being sick.

b. Late submission will be accepted and marked according to the college procedure. It is noted
that late submission may result in lower grade or rejection.

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9. Submission deadlines
Initial Submission 03 May 2010
Feedback given 10 May 2010
Final Submission 17 May 2010

Submit to: Mr Mahbubur Rahman

Examination Officer
Room ICTM 8 (Principal’s office)
Unit 21, 1-13 Adler Street
E1 1EG

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