ICAB5160C

Build and configure a server

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and design internet infrastructure to meet business requirements

1.1. Select internet infrastructure in line with business and end-user requirements, within budget limitations

1.2. Evaluate the internet service for satisfactory performance and confirm that the service meets business and end-user requirements

1.3. Ensure that hardware, software, network and security requirements are in accordance with agreed business and end-user specifications

1.4. Research internet to source suppliers, technologies, delivery schedules and replacement parts and document findings

1.5. Evaluate internet service providers and establish their capability to deliver the required connection service

1.6. Determine internet protocol address allocation based on the number of addresses needed

2. Install and configure internet infrastructure to meet business requirements

2.1. Install and test cables, where appropriate

2.2. Build and test servers

2.3. Install, configure and test switches

2.4. Install, configure and test firewalls

2.5. Install and test broadband hardware with selected internet service provider

2.6. Install workstation software and configure access to services

2.7. If required, install the necessary hardware and software to connect the internet to intranets or network

2.8. Configure domain names, internet protocol addresses and network address translation settings to make internet access possible

3. Install and configure internet services to meet business requirements

3.1. Set up software to provide services as required

3.2. Install and configure software that provides internet links with existing databases, documents, files

3.3. Develop templates and style guides for internet documents

3.4. Configure security access levels to safeguard data, making use of appropriate tools

4. Test security and internet access

4.1. Test and verify security access levels

4.2. Monitor and evaluate capability and reliability of security systems

4.3. Make changes to system to ensure protection against known and potential threats

5. Ensure that user accounts are verified for security access and monitored

5.1. Verify user settings to ensure that they conform to security policies

5.2. Have legal notices displayed at appropriate locations for system users

5.3. Check passwords in accordance with business policies and verify with software utility tools

5.4. Plug well-known security gaps with appropriate hardware and/or software

6. Manage and support the internet

6.1. Assist management in developing procedures and policies for maintaining the internet infrastructure

6.2. Obtain, install and use management tools to assist in internet administration

6.3. Monitor traffic, appropriateness of broadcasts, content access and hits over the internet

6.4. Create logs and other reports required to manage and support the internet

6.5. Optimise internet performance

Required skills

Communication skills in relation to dealing with clients and team members (e.g. when internet specifications are produced to meet client user requirements and budget constraints)

Basic report writing skills for business, including analysis and evaluation

Ability to create and use logs for examining and reporting, required to manage and support the internet service on the organisation's LAN

Problem solving skills involving participation of other users and management.

Basic research skills for identifying, analysing and evaluating broad features of a particular business and sound skills in internet security patching and monitoring

Questioning and active listening skills in relation to clients and team members

Ability to participate in project planning activities, in relation to scope, time, cost, quality, communications and risk management

Required knowledge

Current and developing industry hardware and software (e.g. routers, servers, switches and modems), with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities (e.g. LAN or WAN application, network traffic management)

General knowledge of the organisation's business needs and functions

General understanding of LAN-based communications technologies

Knowledge of internet (WAN-based) technologies, with general understanding of features and capabilities, incorporating depth in some areas, for example, being able to consider the various WAN technologies when managing and supporting the internet (e.g. ADSL, ISDN, PRI (primary rate interface) and BRI (basic rate interface), ATM, frame relay, leased line)

General knowledge of OH&S requirements in relation to working in a safe manner; environmental aspects of work that is undertaken and basic and ergonomic considerations relating in particular to the workstation environment

Security knowledge, with broad understanding of general features and capabilities, with limited depth in some areas (e.g. when monitoring security and internet access

Broad knowledge of vendor product and vendor directions (e.g. when installing and configuring internet infrastructure to meet business requirements (e.g. current trends are self-configuring ADSL or cable modem-router-switches, however, these apply to the simpler LANs, such as SOHO (Small Office, Home Office), where LAN configurations are relatively simple)

Broad knowledge of open source options and software (e.g. Linux-based systems) as well as proprietary software (e.g. Microsoft based systems)

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 verify knowledge of internet technologies and that internet technology (both hardware and software) is installed and configured correctly.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require access to:

Server hardware and software

Security policy guidelines

Networking hardware (e.g. switches, cables)

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The choice of LAN/WAN technologies has increased notably in recent years. Two important aspects accompany these many alternatives: the affordable cost and the emerging trend to automated set-up predominantly for the home or small business market.

This unit is geared for medium to large LAN/WAN designs rather than the automatic set-up approach and accordingly requires a more rigorous level of configuration. The breadth, depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills or knowledge applications across a broad range of technical and/or management requirements, evaluation and coordination would be characteristic.

Assessment must ensure:

The demonstration of competency may also require self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.

Applications involve participation in development of strategic initiatives as well as personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations or organising others. It may include participation in teams including teams concerned with planning and evaluation functions. Group or team coordination may also be involved.

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 ICA05 Section 1.

Competency in this unit should 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.

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or 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. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Guidance information for assessment

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

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating theoretical concepts, with substantial depth in some areas

Analyse and plan approaches to technical problems or management requirements

Transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical or creative skills to a range of situations

Evaluate information, using it to forecast for planning or research purposes

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad quantity and quality parameters

Take some responsibility for the achievement of group outcomes

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

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.

Hardware may include but is not limited to:

workstations

personal computers

modems and other connectivity devices

networks

DSL modems

remote sites

servers

Network may include but is not limited to:

large and small LANs

national WANs

the internet

VPNs

the use of the PSTN for dial-up modems only

private lines

data

voice

Services may include:

newsgroups

email

file transfer protocol facilities

multimedia

conferencing

general access to internal website HTML files

Servers may include:

Application/web servers

BEA Weblogic servers

IBM VisualAge and WebSphere

Novell NDS servers

Email servers

File and print servers

FTP servers

Firewall servers

Proxy/cache servers

Software may include but is not limited to:

commercial software applications

organisation-specific software

packaged software

in-house or customised software

Databases may include:

Oracle

Sybase

Microsoft SQL Server

Ingres

DB2

Informix

mSQL

MySQL

SQL server

Threats may include:

eavesdropping

manipulation

impersonation

penetration

denial of service and by-pass

hackers

viruses

Unit sector

Implement

This unit contains employability skills.