ICTNPL4112A - Evaluate core network architectures

ICTNPL4112A
Evaluate core network architectures

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assess the roles and evaluate the benefits of competing core network architectures. Core networks use convergent internet protocol (IP) based technologies with conventional technologies.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.

Application

Technical officers or engineers from private and public organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They combine technical design skills with organisational skills to evaluate core architectures in a telecommunications network used by service providers such as major carriers or asset owners.

Technical officers or engineers may be responsible for small projects or parts of larger projects, and for the operational and engineering of the telecommunications network in general.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Evaluate basic IP network architecture	1.1. Produce a layout of the topology of an IP network showing the network elements and the application of the 7-layer open system interconnect (OSI) model 1.2. Determine the purpose of routers and switches and the use of routing protocols 1.3. Determine the different types of generic resiliency and redundancy that can be applied in network architectures and when they should be applied 1.4. Evaluate the benefits of IP networks compared to circuit-based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks
2. Evaluate synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) transport architectures	2.1. Produce a layout of the topology of SDH transport networks showing the structure and the role of rings in the networks 2.2. Determine the purpose of SDH switching and its function within the transport architecture 2.3. Assess key capacity and distance limitations in SDH networks 2.4. Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within SDH transport networks 2.5. Evaluate the compatibility of SDH transport architectures with other transport architectures
3. Evaluate broadband architectures	3.1. Produce a layout of the topology structure of the asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) edge network and the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) cable edge network in providing broadband access to the customer 3.2. Determine the purpose of point-to-point protocol (PPP) and the function of the digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), broadband remote access server (BRAS) and layer2 network protocol network server (LNS) in the ADSL network 3.3. Assess the arrangement of carrier channels connecting the HFC cable customer 3.4. Determine the function of the CMTS and the purpose of DOCSIS, and the key capabilities of its different versions in the HFC network 3.5. Assess resiliency considerations for ADSL and HFC Cable network architectures 3.6. Evaluate the benefits of providing cable broadband access to wireless broadband from a network security aspect
4. Evaluate data architectures	4.1. Produce a layout of the topology of key structures of a data network showing the IP network and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) structures 4.2. Determine the purpose of internal and external routing protocols in an IP network outlining the reasons for the creation of a virtual private network (VPN) 4.3. Determine the purpose of label distribution protocol (LDP) in an MPLS network 4.4. Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within data networks 4.5. Evaluate the compatibility of IP and MPLS networking
5. Evaluate metropolitan ethernet architectures	5.1. Produce a layout of the topology structure of a metropolitan ethernet network showing the optimum siting of the ethernet switch 5.2. Determine the types and limitations of the varieties of ethernet transmission 5.3. Assess the scaling limitations of ethernet networks 5.4. Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within metropolitan ethernet networks 5.5. Evaluate the need for the creation of virtual local area networks (VLAN) in metropolitan Ethernet architecture for improved performance
6. Evaluate voice architectures	6.1. Produce a layout of the topology of a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) network and a wireless voice network showing the network elements 6.2. Determine the function of local exchange and transit exchange switches in the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 6.3. Determine the function of an secure broadband connection (SBC) and the purpose of session initiation protocol (SIP) in wireless networking 6.4. Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be applied in the design of voice networks 6.5. Evaluate the benefits of VoIP networks compared to circuit based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks
7. Evaluate media and content architectures	7.1. Determine the structure, elements and purpose of hosting networks in data centres and a content distribution network 7.2. Evaluate the impact of high speed broadband for the wide deployment of media and content architectures
8. Prepare evaluation report	8.1. Assess compatibility and interoperability of competing core network architectures 8.2. Prepare an evaluation report outlining core network solutions using emerging technologies

Required Skills

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 industry-accepted 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 ethernet/MPLS environment

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 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: ICTNPL4113A Plan the deployment of core network. 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.

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.
IP network may include:	gateways routers servers switches.
SDH transport networks may include:	add-drop multiplexers (ADM) synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) switch synchronous transport module - level1 (STM-1).
HFC cable edge network may include:	ADM broadband amplifier cable modems DSLAMS fibre network multiplexer.
Data network may include:	access backbone edge MPLS protocols routers routing protocols switches.
Routing protocols may include:	BGP EIGRP interior gateway routing protocol (IGRP) intermediate system-to-intermediate system (IS-IS) OSPF RIP.
Ethernet network may include:	applications gateways LAN switch routers servers switches transmission equipment VLAN.
VoIP network and a wireless voice network may include:	access points adapters antennas gateways routers servers switches voice managers.
Media and content architectures may include:	central processing unit (CPU) media managers multiplexers routers servers.

Sectors

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Competency Field

Network planning

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor