Assessor Resource

ICTNPL4108A
Plan the deployment of access network architectures

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Technical staff and their sub-contractors from private and public organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They combine technical design skills with broader organisational skills to plan and deploy access network technologies for a service provider such as a major carrier or a rail service provider.

Technical officers or engineers may be responsible for small projects or parts of larger projects on NGN in the deployment of copper, wireless, hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC), fibre to the x (FTTx) and fibre networks.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan the deployment of network architecture when conducting access network telecommunications work. It includes use and consideration of access network deployment data, technology, equipment, capacity management and network management information sources.

The plan may be for a new installation or upgrade of capacity or technology for existing network or subsystem for convergence to Next Generation Networks (NGN).

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

gather data appropriately within information sources and evaluate how the data relates to the access architecture

source major equipment and technologies used in an access network and detail their compatibilities

plan the deployment of an access network architecture, including deployment rules, capacity and capability management and monitoring techniques

complete work within a timeframe typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

network design documentation and other site related documentation

equipment specifications

live network or training facilities

organisational guidelines

networked computers

networked telecommunications components.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate planning the deployment of an access network architecture

review of reports completed by the candidate for differing access network examples

review of final deployment plan prepared by the candidate outlining recommendations for the customer

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment and technologies as used within the access network.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTNPL4109A Evaluate the capability of access networks.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

analytical skills to:

interpret data results and evaluate different types of technical data

interpret technical and non-technical documentation and write summary reports in required formats

select and compare benefits and limitations of access equipment

communications skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters

planning and organisational skills to prioritise and monitor own work

technical skills to:

identify the various technologies that constitute an access network

interrogate databases and evaluate equipment types and technologies

Required knowledge

Access Network:

architectures and geographical categorisation

information sources

technology and equipment

capacity and capability management

capacity limitation of various platforms

commercial considerations of access network deployment

compatibility issues of technology and equipment

currency of technology and equipment use

enterprise deployment rules and rational

exemption process criteria

major equipment components of a modern access architecture

monitoring techniques to manage the access network

network topologies

product capability and availability that are allowable within an access network

telecommunications access networks issues and challenges

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Access network may refer to:

broadband:

wireless fidelity (WiFi)

world interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX)

copper:

coaxial

HFC

twisted pair

digital services:

asymmetrical digital subscriber lines (ADSL)

digital subscriber lines (DSL)

NGN:

broadband access

data transfer

internet protocol (IP) based systems

internet protocol private branch exchange (IP PBX)

Internet protocol TV (IPTV)

mobile data

mobile telephony

multimedia

video

voice over internet protocol (VoIP)

optical:

FTTN

FTTP

FTTx

HFC

wireless networks:

cellular

microwave

radio

satellite.

Network information sources may include:

network management databases for:

capacity assessment data

network performance data

traffic dimensioning data

network management tools.

Access network architecture components may include:

copper network:

copper cable

lead-in

lightning protection

line power supply

loading coils

main distribution frame

pair gain system

Ethernet broadband remote access server (EBRAS)

HFC network

IP edge

optical:

add/drop multiplexer

broadband passive optical network (BPON)

cross connect unit

distribution/lead-in multi-port (DLM/LM)

fibre access points

fibre distribution hub (FDH)

gigabit passive optical network (GPON)

high density/optical fibre distribution frame (HD/OFDF)

home optical network terminal

optical distribution network

optical fibre

optical receiver

packet optical line terminal (P-OLT)

video optical line terminal (V-OLT)

wave division multiplexer (WDM)

wireless network:

antennae

dish

headend

hubs and nodes

radio towers and huts

radio frequency (RF) amplifier

RF transmitters and receivers

satellite

tap

waveguide

video service centre.

Equipment type may include:

digital

IP based

optical:

add/drop multiplexers

amplifiers

filters

receivers

splitters/combiners

switches

transmitters

wireless:

amplifiers

filters

microwave

receivers

RF broadband

satellite

transmitters.

Technologies may include:

digital subscriber lines:

ADSL

DSL

IP broadband:

IPTV

VoIP

WiFI

WiMAX

mobile radio

optical transmission systems:

DWDM systems

WDM systems.

Resources may include:

equipment

hardware

installation platforms

ladders

manpower

materials

safety equipment

software

tools.

Enterprise procedures may include:

asset registration

compliance

preferred suppliers

preferred vendors

procurement agreements

purchase requisition

service level agreements (SLA).

Equipment components may include:

IP based network elements:

gateways

routers

switches

optical devices:

amplifiers

multiplexers

routers

switches

virtual equipment:

networks

private branch exchange (PBX)

simulations

servers.

Access Network deployment rules may relate to:

exemption process criteria

restricted site access:

financial institutions

government offices

rail corridor

research establishments

separation from other services:

electricity

fire equipment

gas

other telecommunications service providers

water.

Monitoring techniques may include use of :

databases:

capacity assessment data

traffic dimensioning data

network performance data

network management system

network management tools.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Prepare for work according to site specific safety requirements and enterprise occupational health and safety (OHS) processes and procedures 
Determine the type of access network by accessing and using network information sources 
Produce a brief on how access network architecture components relate to the larger network and their impact on the work 
Evaluate the equipment type and technologies to be considered to determine availability and compatibility with existing network equipment 
Obtain resources and equipment needed for the work according to enterprise procedures and check for correct operation and safety 
Assess the capacity limitation of various platforms in the context of the work to ensure maximum network performance 
Determine product capability and calculate allowable capacity of the Access Network to allow for network growth 
Conduct planning work using current equipment components and complying with access network deployment rules and exemption process criteria 
Produce a preliminary plan on the deployment of the network that maintains integrity of the access network 
Discuss unexpected situations with appropriate personnel, with consideration to job specifications, safety and enterprise procedures to establish a solution 
Review plan to ensure that it complies with all standards and codes required when working on network access and where appropriate make adjustments 
Produce final deployment plan including recommendations agreed with the customer 
Provide a report on network monitoringtechniques used to manage the network to ensure the network is performing at optimum level 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTNPL4108A - Plan the deployment of access network architectures
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Assessment Record Sheet

ICTNPL4108A - Plan the deployment of access network architectures

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