This section Determines the skills and knowledge required for this unit

Required skills

communication skills to analyse evaluate and present information

financial modelling skills to specify analyse and evaluate a range of different solutions

group facilitation and presentation skills to transfer and collect information and gain consensus on concepts

problem solving skills to

address a defined range of unpredictable problems for example when predicting line traffic and the impact on input and output devices and processors from current and future demand requirements

address a predictable range of network problems

project planning skills to

scope time and cost work when reviewing client user requirements and network requirements

set benchmarks and identified scope

research skills to specify analyse and evaluate broad features of current security issues and best practice in security devices products and procedures

technical skills to

evaluate and compare a range of complex technical data

research and identify analyse and evaluate features of a particular core network architecture

Required knowledge

broad knowledge of

client business domain business function and organisation

networking technologies

theoretical concepts of three or more current industry network development and design methodologies

transmission technologies and protocols

MPLS and IP architectures across a core network environment

overview knowledge of current industryaccepted hardware and software products

protocols such as routing information protocol RIP enhanced interior gateway routing protocol EIGRP open shortest path first OSPF border gateway protocol BGP operations

VLANs and VPN tunnels and how its is implemented in an ethernetMPLS environment

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

determine the first three layers of the OSI model

determine the role of switches and routers in the core network and the different types of routing protocols

evaluate SDH switching and transmission and its ability to create resiliency in the network through various redundant configurations

evaluate the benefits purpose and structure of ADSL networks and other broadband products

determine and compare data networks with specific reference to IP and MPLS

evaluate the most important routing protocols of internal and external MPLS and the resilience that is built into them

evaluate the limitations of an Ethernet network and how VLAN can be incorporated in them

compare various voice protocols

determine the purpose of various hosting in data centres and media and distribution platforms

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 performing an evaluation of core network architectures

review of evaluation report completed by the candidate outlining compatibility and interoperability of competing core network architectures

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of planning various core networks

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTNPLA Plan the deployment of core network

ICTNPL4113A Plan the deployment of core network.

Aboriginal people and other people from a nonEnglish 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

IP network may include:

SDH transport networks may include:

HFC cable edge network may include:

Data network may include:

Routing protocols may include:

Ethernet network may include:

VoIP network and a wireless voice network may include:

Media and content architectures may include: