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:

establish and configure a data communications network

set up and maintain systems, facilities, applications, and software

administer user accounts

diagnose and isolate system faults.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites where communications network and systems user accounts can be administered

use of equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulations and company policies that impact on communications network activities.

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:

review of report prepared by the candidate outlining network performance and fault occurrence with recommendations for improvement

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of establishment and administration of communications network

direct observation of the candidate performing installation of network (LAN or WAN), applications, and backup, and administering network system testing.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN5200A Install, configure and test a local area network switch

ICTTEN5201A Install, configure and test a server.

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.

Required skills

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

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, such as software and hardware manuals and specifications and relevant enterprise policy and documentation

numeracy skills to take and analyse measurements

planning and organisational skills to organise testing and contingency plans

problem solving skills to solve software, hardware and logistics problems

safety awareness skills to follow occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail

technical skills to:

set up data communications network

use third party diagnostic programs and equipment and perform fault clearance.

Required knowledge

features and operating requirements of data communications software and hardware for network systems

manufacturer's requirements of testing software and equipment

specific OHS requirements relating to the activity and site conditions

test methods and performance requirements

typical issues and challenges that occur when administering a data communications network

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.

Network may include:

billing network

computers and communications technology:

applications and systems software

bridge

cabling

network printer

remote user equipment

router

servers

switch

workstations

internet protocol (IP) access network

LAN

mesh network

multi protocol label switching (MPLS) network

storage network

WAN.

Software may include:

free downloads

open source

patches

proprietary.

may include:

applications in NGN delivering multiple services:

◦ broadband access

◦ data transfer

◦ internet protocol TV (IPTV)

◦ mobile data

◦ multimedia

voice over IP (VoIP).

Backup system may be:

local backup

remote backup.