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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Confirm client requirements and network equipment required
  2. Install hardware
  3. Install software
  4. Configure and test modified network
  5. Document and sign off

Required Skills

Required skills

Understanding network systems and software

Ability to work with hardware

Plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with clients

Report writing skills for business requiring depth in some areas analysis and evaluation of information in a defined range of areas eg when hardware and asset recording documentation is completed in line with organisational requirements

Research skills for identifying analysing and evaluating broad features of a particular business domain and best practice in networking technologies eg when network components both hardware and software that are required to be installed are identified

Project planning skills in relation to set benchmarks and identified scope

Problem solving skills in a predictable range of network problems

Required knowledge

Broad knowledge of current industryaccepted hardware and software products

Broad knowledge of the client business domain business function and organisation eg when confirming client requirements and network equipment

Broad knowledge of networking technologies incorporating substantial depth in some areas eg network operating systems cabling standards

Broad knowledge of data and voice transmission technologies and protocols

Evidence Required

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 following is essential

Assessment must confirm knowledge of networking technologies and how hardware and software is installed and configured

Assessment must confirm the ability to create and follow implementation plans to install network hardware and software and to configure and test the network according to specified guidelines as well as produce appropriate documentation

To demonstrate competency in this unit the following resources will be needed

Network design documentation

Equipment specifications

Network components hardware and software

Live network

Organisational guidelines

Networked computers

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Simply defined a computer network is a group of interconnected computers databases and other peripherals and components both software and hardware connected by communications lines and capable of exchanging and sharing files and information

Individual working networks can range from a peertopeer network connecting a small number of users in an office or department to a local area network connecting many users over permanently installed cables and dialup lines Other networks include wide area networks connecting users on several different networks spread over a wide geographic area as well as various types of wireless networks

It is essential that this unit covers both skills and knowledge aspects of a broad variety of network components both hardware and software ranging for example from SOHO LANs business requirements such as servers firewalls and gateways to large countrywide WLANs

The breadth depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would cover a broad range of varied activities or application in a wider variety of contexts most of which are complex and nonroutine Leadership and guidance would be involved when organising activities of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a nonroutine or contingency nature

Assessment must ensure

Performance of a broad range of skilled applications including the requirement to evaluate and analyse current practices develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices and provision of some leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of the skills would be characteristic

Applications may involve responsibility for and limited organisation of others

The scope and complexity of knowledge and skills is dependent on the tasks undertaken

Method of assessment

The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA Section

The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.

Competency in this unit should to be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment However simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency

The assessment of this unit of competency will usually include observation of LAN configuration and equipment selection for a variety of scenarios

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures andor performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills The questioning of team members supervisors subordinates peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process

Guidance information for assessment

The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

ICAIB Connect internal hardware components

ICAI3021B Connect internal hardware components

ICASB Support system software

ICAS4127B Support system software

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts

Apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems

Identify and apply skill and knowledge areas to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas

Identify analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards

Take limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Additionally an individual demonstrating this competency would be able to

Select appropriate software

Configure network components

Select a network component for a particular task

Interpret available information and request clarification where needed

Take responsibility for outputs in work and learning


Range Statement

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.

Client may include but is not limited to:

internal departments

external organisations

clubs

individual people

internal employees

customers

Network may include but is not limited to:

large and small LANs

VPNs

national WANs

the internet

the use of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for dial-up modems only

DSL connections

private lines

data

voice

Requirements may be in reference to:

business

system

network

people in the organisation

Organisational requirements may include but is not limited to:

how and what the organisation wants in regard to work environment

problem solution processes

preventative maintenance and diagnostic policy, roles and technical responsibilities in the network management

vendor and product service-level support agreements

Documentation may follow:

ISO/IEC/AS standards

audit trails

naming standards

version control

project management templates and report writing

maintaining equipment inventory

client training

satisfaction reports

Components may include:

motherboards

CMOS battery

central processing unit (CPU)

CD and DVD drives

interface cards

drives

fax/modem cards

RAM upgrades

CPU upgrades

Hardware may include but is not limited to:

workstations

personal computers

modems and other connectivity devices

networks

DSL modems

remote sites

servers

Software may include but is not limited to:

mobile equipment

commercial software applications

organisation-specific software

packaged software

in-house or customised software

Appropriate person may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

Cables may include but are not limited to:

to UTP

STP

Cat 5e

Cat 6

Cat 7

fibre

Requirements may vary from:

a simple addition or upgrade to a major new installation

Standards may include:

ISO/IEC/IEEE/IETF/ITU/AS standards

organisational standards

project standards

Computer may include:

mobile equipment

laptops

workstations

servers

other devices