TeleFlow Work Experience

Work Experience Pack

A guided three-day pack covering telecoms, websites, AI, Linux, and reflection. Everything saves automatically as you go.

Days3

Sections31

Overall progress0%

Current dayWelcome

0% complete today

Welcome

0% complete

Step 1: Your Details

Notes

Complete this first before moving on to Day 1.

Your name

School / college

Year group

Welcome to TeleFlow

Welcome

Welcome to TeleFlow. TeleFlow Ltd is a UK B2B telecoms company, and we help businesses stay connected through phone networks, internet services, and digital infrastructure. Over the next three days you'll get a real taste of what it's like to work in tech.

This pack is yours. Work through each section at your own pace, and your answers are saved automatically as you go.

Day 1Telecoms & Networks

How phone and internet infrastructure works, and how TeleFlow operates as a B2B business.

Day 2Web Dev, Servers & AI

How websites are built, where they live, and how AI is changing how companies work.

Day 3Linux & Datacentre

The OS powering the internet, a possible visit to a datacentre in Poole, and your final reflection.

A Few Friendly Notes

Always ask if you're unsure. There are no silly questions.
Treat all equipment and work areas with care.
Keep any company information you see here confidential.
Take your time and make a note of anything you want to come back to.
Enjoy it. This is a real chance to explore a career in tech.

Step 2: About You

Notes

What subjects are you currently studying at school?

Have you done any coding, gaming, or tech stuff before? Tell us!

What do you hope to learn or try this week?

Day 1

Telecoms & Networks

0% complete

Morning Checklist

Checklist

Met the team and got ready to start the dayGot settled and had a look aroundReceived this work experience packSet up your desk / workstationMade a note of one thing you want to learn today

What is Telecoms?

Topic

Telecommunications (telecoms) means transmitting information such as voices, data, and video over a distance. Every time you send a text, make a call, or load a webpage, you're using telecoms technology. TeleFlow works behind the scenes to keep this infrastructure running.

Binary Data

All information, including text, images, and sound, is stored as binary (1s and 0s). A single 1 or 0 is a bit. Eight bits = one byte.

Networks

Two or more devices connected to share data. The internet is the largest network on the planet.

Bandwidth

How much data can travel through a connection at once. Like motorway lanes. Measured in Mbps or Gbps.

Latency

The delay between sending data and it arriving. Measured in milliseconds (ms). Critical for calls, gaming, and emergency services.

Packets

Data is split into small chunks called packets before being sent. They travel independently and are reassembled at the other end.

IP Address

Every device on a network has a unique IP address, a bit like a postal address. IPv4 = 192.168.1.1; IPv6 is newer and longer.

4G & 5G

Mobile network generations. 4G: ~100 Mbps. 5G: up to 10 Gbps with very low latency, which is useful for smart cities and self-driving cars.

TeleFlow & B2B

Topic

TeleFlow is a B2B (Business-to-Business) company, so its customers are other businesses rather than individual consumers.

B2B vs B2C

B2B = selling to businesses. B2C = selling to consumers. B2B deals are larger in value but fewer in number.

SLA

Service Level Agreement: a contract guaranteeing a level of service. For example, 99.9% uptime on an internet connection.

Account Management

Salespeople build long-term relationships with clients. An account manager keeps existing customers happy.

Billing & Invoicing

B2B companies invoice customers monthly or quarterly. Software handles this automatically.

What have you noticed so far about how TeleFlow communicates with customers or internally?

Thinking Prompts

Questions

Use these prompts to jot down thoughts, questions, or anything you find out during the day.

1What seems to be the main job of a telecoms company like TeleFlow?

2What kinds of businesses might need telecoms or internet services like these?

3What is the difference between fibre broadband and older types of broadband?

4What happens when a phone call or internet connection stops working?

5What can UK phone numbers tell you, such as whether a number is geographic, mobile, or non-geographic?

6Why might a business choose a number starting with 01 or 02, 03, 07, or 08?

7What else have you learnt today about telephony, phone systems, or networking?

Activity: Binary & Data

Activity

Everything in computing starts with binary. Let's try it now.

Interactive Bit Flipper

Click each bit to flip it between 0 and 1, then watch the decimal value update.

1286432168421

00000000→0

Part A: Convert these to decimal

BinaryYour Answer (decimal)

0000 1010

0001 0100

0100 0001

1111 1111

Part B: File Size Maths

File size maths: A standard MP3 is ~4 MB. If 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes and 1 byte = 8 bits, how many bits is the song? Show your working:

Day 1 Quiz

Quiz

Answer as best you can. You can look back at the notes above if you need to.

Q1 What does 'bandwidth' measure?

Q2 What is a 'packet' in networking?

Q3 Which of the following is an IP address?

Q4 What does 5G stand for?

Q5 In binary, what is the decimal value of 00001000?

Day 1 Notes

Notes

Anything else you learnt or found interesting today?

Day 2

Web Dev, Servers & AI

0% complete

Morning Checklist

Checklist

Caught up on anything from Day 1Had a look at TeleFlow's website in a browserNoted down one thing you noticed about how the site looks or worksRead through the background section below before starting activities

How Websites Work

Topic

When you type a website address into your browser, a lot happens in a fraction of a second. Understanding this is central to web development.

HTML

HyperText Markup Language is the structure of a webpage. It defines headings, paragraphs, images, and links. Every website is built on HTML.

CSS

Cascading Style Sheets controls how HTML looks, including colours, fonts, and layouts. It turns a plain page into something polished.

JavaScript

A programming language that runs in the browser and makes pages interactive. Menus, animations, real-time updates.

DNS

Domain Name System, often called the internet's phone book. It converts 'teleflow.co.uk' into an IP address so your browser knows where to connect.

HTTP / HTTPS

Rules for sending webpages. HTTPS is secure, shown by the padlock in your browser, and it encrypts data so no one can intercept it.

Web Server

A computer or software that stores websites and sends them to visitors. Apache and Nginx are popular examples.

Front-end vs Back-end

Front-end = what users see (HTML, CSS, JS). Back-end = server-side logic, databases, APIs.

Frameworks

Tools that speed up development. Vue, React, and Nuxt.js are popular JavaScript frameworks.

Thinking Prompts

Questions

Use these prompts to explore what you notice about websites, servers, and online tools.

1What technologies do you think might be used to build a website like this?

2What steps happen between typing a web address and seeing a page load?

3What do you think is included in an HTTP request from your browser to a website?

4What is the difference between an HTTP request and an HTTP response?

5Why is HTTPS usually preferred over plain HTTP?

6What might a 404 or 500 status code tell you about a website problem?

7Why do websites need both a front end and a back end?

8What is the difference between storing data in files and storing it in a database?

9How might a team check that a website is working properly before making changes live?

10What could go wrong if a server or website goes offline?

11What else would you like to understand better about websites or servers?

Activity: Read Some HTML

Activity

Below is a small snippet of HTML. Read it carefully and answer the questions.

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>TeleFlow</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <h1>Welcome to TeleFlow!</h1>
    <p>Connecting the UK since 2010.</p>
    <a href="https://teleflow.co.uk/contact">Contact Us</a>
  </body>
</html>

What do you think the <title> tag does?

What text would a visitor see in their browser when viewing this page?

What would happen if you clicked 'Contact Us'?

Write your own HTML

Write one more line of HTML to add a second paragraph. Try it here:

Activity: Web Request Journey

Activity

Put these steps in the correct order by writing 1–6 in each box.

Your browser receives the HTML file and displays the website

The DNS server converts the domain name into an IP address

The server processes your request and sends back the HTML

You type 'teleflow.co.uk' into your browser and press Enter

Your browser connects to the server at that IP address

Your browser sends an HTTP request asking for the homepage

n8n & Automation

Topic

n8n is a workflow automation tool. It lets you connect apps, APIs, and internal tools so repetitive tasks can happen automatically.

Workflow

A series of connected steps. For example: a form is submitted, data is checked, a message is sent, and a record is saved.

Trigger

The event that starts the workflow. This could be a webhook, a schedule, a new email, or a button click.

Nodes

Each step in n8n is called a node. Nodes can fetch data, transform it, call an API, or send something to another app.

HTTP Requests

n8n can talk to websites and APIs directly using HTTP request nodes, which makes it useful for connecting systems together.

Automation Thinking

Good automation starts by spotting a repetitive task, breaking it into steps, and deciding what should happen if something fails.

If you get to try n8n, what workflow did you build or explore?

What task at TeleFlow, school, or home could be automated with n8n?

Did you spot any places where an HTTP request or API could be part of that workflow?

AI in the Workplace

Topic

Artificial Intelligence is one of the biggest changes in tech right now. At TeleFlow, AI tools are already being used to work smarter and faster.

What is AI?

Computer systems that perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as recognising speech, translating languages, writing code, and spotting patterns in data.

LLMs

Large Language Models like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude are trained on vast amounts of text. They can write, summarise, explain, and generate code.

AI in Telecoms

AI predicts network faults before they happen, routes calls more efficiently, detects fraud, and manages traffic.

Building AI Tools

Companies integrate AI into their own systems using APIs, automating tasks, analysing customer data, and building smarter products.

Limits & Responsibility

AI can make mistakes (called 'hallucinations'), reflect bias, and raises questions about privacy and jobs. Limitations matter as much as capabilities.

Think of one boring or repetitive task at school or home. How could an AI tool help with it?

What problems might arise? (Think: accuracy, privacy, fairness, job impact...)

Day 2 Quiz

Quiz

Q1 What does HTML stand for?

Q2 What is the purpose of CSS?

Q3 What does HTTPS do that HTTP does not?

Q4 What does a 404 HTTP status usually mean?

Q5 In simple terms, what is an HTTP response?

Q6 What does a 'front-end' developer build?

Q7 What is an LLM?

Day 2 Notes

Notes

What was the most interesting thing you learnt or saw today?

Day 3

Linux & Datacentre

0% complete

Morning Checklist

Checklist

Reviewed your notes from Day 1 and Day 2Opened a terminal or looked at a command line exampleChecked if you can answer the Day 1 and Day 2 quiz questions without looking at notesWritten down one thing you want to understand about Linux

Linux & the Command Line

Topic

Linux is a free, open-source OS. It runs on ~96% of the world's top web servers, most smartphones (Android), and the International Space Station.

Operating System

Software that manages hardware and lets other programs run. Windows and macOS are familiar examples. Linux is free, highly customisable, and extremely stable.

Terminal / Shell

A text-based interface to control a computer. Instead of clicking icons, you type commands. Incredibly powerful and fast.

File System

Linux organises files in a tree starting at / ('root'). /home = user files. /etc = config. /var = logs and variable data.

Permissions

Linux controls who can read, write, or run files. Shown as rwxrwxrwx for owner, group, and everyone else.

Processes

Every running program is a process with a unique PID. The command 'top' shows live CPU and memory usage.

SSH

Secure Shell is a way to control another computer securely over a network. Engineers use SSH to manage servers from their laptops.

Package Manager

Tools like apt install software automatically. 'sudo apt install python3' downloads and sets up Python.

Linux Commands

Commands

Learn these essential commands. You'll use them in the activity below.

CommandWhat it doesExample

lsList files and foldersls -la

cdChange directory (navigate to a folder)cd /home/user

pwdShow your current locationpwd

mkdirMake a new directorymkdir my_project

catDisplay contents of a filecat readme.txt

cpCopy a filecp file.txt copy.txt

mvMove or rename a filemv old.txt new.txt

rmDelete a file. Use with care.rm temp.txt

sudoRun a command as administratorsudo apt update

pingTest if a server is reachableping google.com

topShow live running processestop

manShow the manual for any commandman ls

Thinking Prompts

Questions

1Why is Linux used on so many servers?

2What is the difference between using a terminal and using a normal desktop interface?

3How do people connect to and manage servers remotely?

4What might happen if a server runs out of storage, memory, or power?

5How are servers monitored and kept secure?

6What is the difference between a virtual machine and a container?

7What else about Linux or servers do you want to understand better?

Activity: Terminal Challenge

Checklist

Work through these on a real terminal if you can, or use them as a guide while watching someone else do them. Tick each one as you complete it.

Open a terminal and type pwd, then write the path you see belowRun ls -la and count how many files are listedCreate a new folder: mkdir teleflow_testNavigate into it: cd teleflow_test, then confirm with pwdCreate a file: echo 'Hello TeleFlow' > hello.txtDisplay it: cat hello.txtGo back up one level: cd ..Run ping google.com and note the response time in ms belowBonus: Run top and write down the name of one process you can see

Path from pwd:

Ping response time (ms):

Datacentre Visit, Poole

Topic

There may be a visit to a local datacentre in Poole. Use the fields below to record what you see. If the visit doesn't happen, read the notes and record anything you learn about datacentres.

Rack

Servers are mounted in tall metal frames called racks. A single rack can hold dozens of servers stacked on top of each other.

Cooling

Servers generate a lot of heat. Datacentres use precision air conditioning and sometimes liquid cooling, typically around 18 to 27°C.

Redundancy

Critical systems are duplicated so if one fails, another takes over. Two internet connections, two power feeds, two cooling units.

Colocation

Companies rent space in a datacentre for their own servers rather than building their own facility.

Uptime

A Tier 3 datacentre promises 99.982% uptime, which is less than 2 hours of downtime per year.

Most impressive thing you see or hear about:

How many servers / racks do you estimate are in the building?

What question did you ask during the visit, and what was the answer?

Code Challenge

Code

Have a go at writing some real code. Do your best and use the notes on the page to help you if you get stuck.

Write the commands to: create a folder called 'my_site', move into it, and create a file called index.html

bash

Write a basic HTML page that shows your name as a heading and a short paragraph about yourself

html

Day 3 Quiz

Quiz

Q1 Which OS runs on most of the world's web servers?

Q2 What does 'cd' do in Linux?

Q3 What is SSH used for?

Q4 What does 'sudo' do?

Q5 In Linux permissions, what does 'r' stand for?

Q6 What command shows live running processes on a Linux server?

TeleFlow Work Experience

Work Experience Pack

A guided three-day pack covering telecoms, websites, AI, Linux, and reflection. Everything is laid out for handwriting and printing.

Days3

Sections31

Welcome

Step 1: Your Details

Notes

Complete this first before moving on to Day 1.

Your name

School / college

Year group

Welcome to TeleFlow

Welcome

This pack is yours. Work through each section at your own pace, and your answers are saved automatically as you go.

Day 1

Telecoms & Networks

How phone and internet infrastructure works, and how TeleFlow operates as a B2B business.

Day 2

Web Dev, Servers & AI

How websites are built, where they live, and how AI is changing how companies work.

Day 3

Linux & Datacentre

The OS powering the internet, a possible visit to a datacentre in Poole, and your final reflection.

Always ask if you're unsure. There are no silly questions.
Treat all equipment and work areas with care.
Keep any company information you see here confidential.
Take your time and make a note of anything you want to come back to.
Enjoy it. This is a real chance to explore a career in tech.

Step 2: About You

Notes

What subjects are you currently studying at school?

Have you done any coding, gaming, or tech stuff before? Tell us!

What do you hope to learn or try this week?

Day 1

Telecoms & Networks

Morning Checklist

Checklist

Met the team and got ready to start the day

Got settled and had a look around

Received this work experience pack

Set up your desk / workstation

Made a note of one thing you want to learn today

What is Telecoms?

Topic

Binary Data

All information, including text, images, and sound, is stored as binary (1s and 0s). A single 1 or 0 is a bit. Eight bits = one byte.

Networks

Two or more devices connected to share data. The internet is the largest network on the planet.

Bandwidth

How much data can travel through a connection at once. Like motorway lanes. Measured in Mbps or Gbps.

Latency

The delay between sending data and it arriving. Measured in milliseconds (ms). Critical for calls, gaming, and emergency services.

Packets

Data is split into small chunks called packets before being sent. They travel independently and are reassembled at the other end.

IP Address

Every device on a network has a unique IP address, a bit like a postal address. IPv4 = 192.168.1.1; IPv6 is newer and longer.

4G & 5G

Mobile network generations. 4G: ~100 Mbps. 5G: up to 10 Gbps with very low latency, which is useful for smart cities and self-driving cars.

TeleFlow & B2B

Topic

TeleFlow is a B2B (Business-to-Business) company, so its customers are other businesses rather than individual consumers.

B2B vs B2C

B2B = selling to businesses. B2C = selling to consumers. B2B deals are larger in value but fewer in number.

SLA

Service Level Agreement: a contract guaranteeing a level of service. For example, 99.9% uptime on an internet connection.

Account Management

Salespeople build long-term relationships with clients. An account manager keeps existing customers happy.

Billing & Invoicing

B2B companies invoice customers monthly or quarterly. Software handles this automatically.

What have you noticed so far about how TeleFlow communicates with customers or internally?

Thinking Prompts

Questions

Use these prompts to jot down thoughts, questions, or anything you find out during the day.

1. What seems to be the main job of a telecoms company like TeleFlow?

2. What kinds of businesses might need telecoms or internet services like these?

3. What is the difference between fibre broadband and older types of broadband?

4. What happens when a phone call or internet connection stops working?

5. What can UK phone numbers tell you, such as whether a number is geographic, mobile, or non-geographic?

6. Why might a business choose a number starting with 01 or 02, 03, 07, or 08?

7. What else have you learnt today about telephony, phone systems, or networking?

Activity: Binary & Data

Activity

Everything in computing starts with binary. Let's try it now.

Part A: Convert these to decimal

BinaryYour Answer

0000 1010

0001 0100

0100 0001

1111 1111

File size maths: A standard MP3 is ~4 MB. If 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes and 1 byte = 8 bits, how many bits is the song? Show your working:

Day 1 Quiz

Quiz

Answer as best you can. You can look back at the notes above if you need to.

Q1. What does 'bandwidth' measure?

A. How heavy a computer is

B. How much data can travel through a connection at once

C. The physical length of a cable

D. The number of users on a network

Q2. What is a 'packet' in networking?

A. A parcel sent by post

B. A small chunk of data sent across a network

C. A type of router

D. A mobile phone SIM card

Q3. Which of the following is an IP address?

A. TeleFlow.co.uk

B. 192.168.0.1

C. 07700900123

D. 50 Hz

Q4. What does 5G stand for?

A. 5 Gigabytes

B. 5th Generation mobile network

C. 5 Gigahertz

D. 5th Grade internet

Q5. In binary, what is the decimal value of 00001000?

A. 4

B. 10

C. 8

D. 16

Day 1 Notes

Notes

Anything else you learnt or found interesting today?

Day 2

Web Dev, Servers & AI

Morning Checklist

Checklist

Caught up on anything from Day 1

Had a look at TeleFlow's website in a browser

Noted down one thing you noticed about how the site looks or works

Read through the background section below before starting activities

How Websites Work

Topic

When you type a website address into your browser, a lot happens in a fraction of a second. Understanding this is central to web development.

HTML

HyperText Markup Language is the structure of a webpage. It defines headings, paragraphs, images, and links. Every website is built on HTML.

CSS

Cascading Style Sheets controls how HTML looks, including colours, fonts, and layouts. It turns a plain page into something polished.

JavaScript

A programming language that runs in the browser and makes pages interactive. Menus, animations, real-time updates.

DNS

Domain Name System, often called the internet's phone book. It converts 'teleflow.co.uk' into an IP address so your browser knows where to connect.

HTTP / HTTPS

Rules for sending webpages. HTTPS is secure, shown by the padlock in your browser, and it encrypts data so no one can intercept it.

Web Server

A computer or software that stores websites and sends them to visitors. Apache and Nginx are popular examples.

Front-end vs Back-end

Front-end = what users see (HTML, CSS, JS). Back-end = server-side logic, databases, APIs.

Frameworks

Tools that speed up development. Vue, React, and Nuxt.js are popular JavaScript frameworks.

Thinking Prompts

Questions

Use these prompts to explore what you notice about websites, servers, and online tools.

1. What technologies do you think might be used to build a website like this?

2. What steps happen between typing a web address and seeing a page load?

3. What do you think is included in an HTTP request from your browser to a website?

4. What is the difference between an HTTP request and an HTTP response?

5. Why is HTTPS usually preferred over plain HTTP?

6. What might a 404 or 500 status code tell you about a website problem?

7. Why do websites need both a front end and a back end?

8. What is the difference between storing data in files and storing it in a database?

9. How might a team check that a website is working properly before making changes live?

10. What could go wrong if a server or website goes offline?

11. What else would you like to understand better about websites or servers?

Activity: Read Some HTML

Activity

Below is a small snippet of HTML. Read it carefully and answer the questions.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>TeleFlow</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <h1>Welcome to TeleFlow!</h1>
    <p>Connecting the UK since 2010.</p>
    <a href="https://teleflow.co.uk/contact">Contact Us</a>
  </body>
</html>

What do you think the <title> tag does?

What text would a visitor see in their browser when viewing this page?

What would happen if you clicked 'Contact Us'?

Write one more line of HTML to add a second paragraph. Try it here:

Activity: Web Request Journey

Activity

Put these steps in the correct order by writing 1–6 in each box.

Your browser receives the HTML file and displays the website

The DNS server converts the domain name into an IP address

The server processes your request and sends back the HTML

You type 'teleflow.co.uk' into your browser and press Enter

Your browser connects to the server at that IP address

Your browser sends an HTTP request asking for the homepage

n8n & Automation

Topic

n8n is a workflow automation tool. It lets you connect apps, APIs, and internal tools so repetitive tasks can happen automatically.

Workflow

A series of connected steps. For example: a form is submitted, data is checked, a message is sent, and a record is saved.

Trigger

The event that starts the workflow. This could be a webhook, a schedule, a new email, or a button click.

Nodes

Each step in n8n is called a node. Nodes can fetch data, transform it, call an API, or send something to another app.

HTTP Requests

n8n can talk to websites and APIs directly using HTTP request nodes, which makes it useful for connecting systems together.

Automation Thinking

Good automation starts by spotting a repetitive task, breaking it into steps, and deciding what should happen if something fails.

If you get to try n8n, what workflow did you build or explore?

What task at TeleFlow, school, or home could be automated with n8n?

Did you spot any places where an HTTP request or API could be part of that workflow?

AI in the Workplace

Topic

Artificial Intelligence is one of the biggest changes in tech right now. At TeleFlow, AI tools are already being used to work smarter and faster.

What is AI?

Computer systems that perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as recognising speech, translating languages, writing code, and spotting patterns in data.

LLMs

Large Language Models like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude are trained on vast amounts of text. They can write, summarise, explain, and generate code.

AI in Telecoms

AI predicts network faults before they happen, routes calls more efficiently, detects fraud, and manages traffic.

Building AI Tools

Companies integrate AI into their own systems using APIs, automating tasks, analysing customer data, and building smarter products.

Limits & Responsibility

AI can make mistakes (called 'hallucinations'), reflect bias, and raises questions about privacy and jobs. Limitations matter as much as capabilities.

Think of one boring or repetitive task at school or home. How could an AI tool help with it?

What problems might arise? (Think: accuracy, privacy, fairness, job impact...)

Day 2 Quiz

Quiz

Q1. What does HTML stand for?

A. HyperText Markup Language

B. High-Tech Machine Learning

C. Hyper Transfer Message Link

D. Home Tool Markup Language

Q2. What is the purpose of CSS?

A. To store data in a database

B. To control the visual style and layout of a webpage

C. To make a webpage interactive

D. To register a domain name

Q3. What does HTTPS do that HTTP does not?

A. Makes pages load faster

B. Encrypts data between your browser and the server

C. Stores cookies

D. Lets you use emojis on websites

Q4. What does a 404 HTTP status usually mean?

A. The page or resource could not be found

B. Your monitor is disconnected

C. The website is fully secure

D. The server has updated itself

Q5. In simple terms, what is an HTTP response?

A. The browser asking for a page

B. The server replying with data such as HTML, JSON, or an error code

C. A password manager saving your login

D. A design tool for websites

Q6. What does a 'front-end' developer build?

A. Server hardware

B. The parts of a website that users see and interact with

C. The company database

D. Network cables

Q7. What is an LLM?

A. A type of internet cable

B. A Large Language Model, which is an AI trained on lots of text

C. A Linux file manager

D. A load-balancing mechanism

Day 2 Notes

Notes

What was the most interesting thing you learnt or saw today?

Day 3

Linux & Datacentre

Morning Checklist

Checklist

Reviewed your notes from Day 1 and Day 2

Opened a terminal or looked at a command line example

Checked if you can answer the Day 1 and Day 2 quiz questions without looking at notes

Written down one thing you want to understand about Linux

Linux & the Command Line

Topic

Linux is a free, open-source OS. It runs on ~96% of the world's top web servers, most smartphones (Android), and the International Space Station.

Operating System

Software that manages hardware and lets other programs run. Windows and macOS are familiar examples. Linux is free, highly customisable, and extremely stable.

Terminal / Shell

A text-based interface to control a computer. Instead of clicking icons, you type commands. Incredibly powerful and fast.

File System

Linux organises files in a tree starting at / ('root'). /home = user files. /etc = config. /var = logs and variable data.

Permissions

Linux controls who can read, write, or run files. Shown as rwxrwxrwx for owner, group, and everyone else.

Processes

Every running program is a process with a unique PID. The command 'top' shows live CPU and memory usage.

SSH

Secure Shell is a way to control another computer securely over a network. Engineers use SSH to manage servers from their laptops.

Package Manager

Tools like apt install software automatically. 'sudo apt install python3' downloads and sets up Python.

Linux Commands

Commands

Learn these essential commands. You'll use them in the activity below.

CommandWhat it doesExample

lsList files and foldersls -la

cdChange directory (navigate to a folder)cd /home/user

pwdShow your current locationpwd

mkdirMake a new directorymkdir my_project

catDisplay contents of a filecat readme.txt

cpCopy a filecp file.txt copy.txt

mvMove or rename a filemv old.txt new.txt

rmDelete a file. Use with care.rm temp.txt

sudoRun a command as administratorsudo apt update

pingTest if a server is reachableping google.com

topShow live running processestop

manShow the manual for any commandman ls

Thinking Prompts

Questions

1. Why is Linux used on so many servers?

2. What is the difference between using a terminal and using a normal desktop interface?

3. How do people connect to and manage servers remotely?

4. What might happen if a server runs out of storage, memory, or power?

5. How are servers monitored and kept secure?

6. What is the difference between a virtual machine and a container?

7. What else about Linux or servers do you want to understand better?

Activity: Terminal Challenge

Checklist

Work through these on a real terminal if you can, or use them as a guide while watching someone else do them. Tick each one as you complete it.

Open a terminal and type pwd, then write the path you see below

Run ls -la and count how many files are listed

Create a new folder: mkdir teleflow_test

Navigate into it: cd teleflow_test, then confirm with pwd

Create a file: echo 'Hello TeleFlow' > hello.txt

Display it: cat hello.txt

Go back up one level: cd ..

Run ping google.com and note the response time in ms below

Bonus: Run top and write down the name of one process you can see

Path from pwd:

Ping response time (ms):

Datacentre Visit, Poole

Topic

There may be a visit to a local datacentre in Poole. Use the fields below to record what you see. If the visit doesn't happen, read the notes and record anything you learn about datacentres.

Rack

Servers are mounted in tall metal frames called racks. A single rack can hold dozens of servers stacked on top of each other.

Cooling

Servers generate a lot of heat. Datacentres use precision air conditioning and sometimes liquid cooling, typically around 18 to 27°C.

Redundancy

Critical systems are duplicated so if one fails, another takes over. Two internet connections, two power feeds, two cooling units.

Colocation

Companies rent space in a datacentre for their own servers rather than building their own facility.

Uptime

A Tier 3 datacentre promises 99.982% uptime, which is less than 2 hours of downtime per year.

Most impressive thing you see or hear about:

How many servers / racks do you estimate are in the building?

What question did you ask during the visit, and what was the answer?

Code Challenge

Code

Have a go at writing some real code. Do your best and use the notes on the page to help you if you get stuck.

Write the commands to: create a folder called 'my_site', move into it, and create a file called index.html

Write a basic HTML page that shows your name as a heading and a short paragraph about yourself

Day 3 Quiz

Quiz

Q1. Which OS runs on most of the world's web servers?

A. Windows Server

B. macOS

C. Linux

D. MS-DOS

Q2. What does 'cd' do in Linux?

A. Copy a document

B. Change directory (navigate to a folder)

C. Create a directory

D. Check disk space

Q3. What is SSH used for?

A. Playing sounds on a server

B. Securely connecting to another computer over a network

C. Creating a website

D. Installing fonts

Q4. What does 'sudo' do?

A. Runs a command as the guest user

B. Deletes a file permanently

C. Runs a command with administrator (root) privileges

D. Shuts down the server

Q5. In Linux permissions, what does 'r' stand for?

A. Run

B. Read

C. Root

D. Register

Q6. What command shows live running processes on a Linux server?

A. ps aux or top

B. ls -la

C. ping localhost

D. sudo rm -rf

Reflection

3-Day Summary

Notes

Well done for completing your work experience at TeleFlow. Fill this in before you go. It's useful for your CV, personal statement, or future applications.

The most interesting thing I learnt this week was:

Something I found challenging or confusing (and why):

One thing I would like to learn more about:

A skill I used from school that was relevant here (e.g. maths, problem-solving, English):

Self-Assessment

Self assessment

AreaNot yetGetting thereYes, I can!

I can explain what a network is

I understand what binary data is

I know what HTML does

I understand what a web server does

I can name 3 Linux commands

I know what SSH is used for

I can describe what a telecoms company does

I asked at least 3 questions this week

Feedback for TeleFlow

Notes

What did you enjoy most about your time here?

Is there anything TeleFlow could do to make work experience better for future students?

Would you consider a career in telecoms or tech? Why / why not?

Next Steps

Next steps

Look into tech courses, clubs, or online learning that cover networking, coding, and automation.
Try free coding at home: code.org, Khan Academy, or freeCodeCamp.org.
Search 'HTML tutorial for beginners' on YouTube and build your first webpage in an afternoon.
Explore n8n and think about one repetitive task you could automate for yourself.
Download Ubuntu (a Linux distribution) for free and try the terminal at home.
Ask your school careers adviser about tech and telecoms apprenticeships. Many don't require A-Levels.

Great work this week. You've covered topics that most adults in non-technical jobs have never encountered. Whether or not you go into tech, understanding how networks, websites, servers, and AI work gives you a real edge. Keep being curious!