Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to build, deploy, run, and monitor containers, and implement micro services, with the goal of providing a more sustainable, flexible and cost-efficient Information and Communications Technology (ICT) environment.
The unit applies to those working as senior computer systems architects proficient in software development, senior software developers and those who work in DevOps roles, responsible for increasing the resource utilisation of an organisation by using containerisation as an alternative to traditional server and application infrastructure technologies. Containers are used to isolate the runtime environment for applications in order to increase portability and reduce operational costs by increasing the utilisation of resources.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess containerisation needs for application | 1.1 Research and select vendor containerisation technology according to business needs 1.2 Obtain and review technical specifications, infrastructure and systems requirements for container service and runtime 1.3 Assess responsibility and requirements of microservice architecture according to business needs 1.4 Check and confirm installation of runtime environment for containerisation technology |
2. Implement containers | 2.1 Review and select base container image according to business needs 2.2 Author container image file for defining base image, working directory, application code, environment configuration and commands 2.3 Determine container image name applying industry standards and conventions 2.4 Build container image from authored file 2.5 Run a new instance of container from image 2.6 Confirm connectivity of published ports for running container instance 2.7 Test, debug and fix the running instance of containerised application 2.8 Run additional container instances from image 2.9 Stop running container instances |
3. Manage container image | 3.1 Review available options and select container image registry according to business needs 3.2 Create container image repository 3.3 Authenticate and connect to registry 3.4 Push container image to repository 3.5 Update, version and push container image to repository 3.6 Pull container image from repository |
4. Maintain container services | 4.1 Access logging for application and container 4.2 List containers in runtime environment 4.3 List container port mappings 4.4 Remove container from runtime environment 4.5 Monitor and display container resource usage and statistics 4.6 Update configuration of container according to business needs |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:
author at least two files for building container images
run, test and debug a minimum of two running containers instances
install and run at least one application within container
monitor a minimum of two container instance in container runtime
author, build and run container instances from at least one image with two different versions
set up container image repository in registry and perform push and pull commands at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:
features and functions of operating systems
continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment methodology, processes and principles
network protocols including:
network communications protocol
TCP/IP (transmission control)
tools and features of registries, command line interface and text editor
advanced programming language
organisational policies and procedures for:
documenting work and technical requirements
evaluating business processes of uses of containerisation
stages of software development life cycle (SDLC)
procedures for implementing container services
basic principles of:
computer hardware, networking, operating system, applications, database management systems, cloud solutions and components
IT service management systems (ITMS)
required programming language, including data serialisation language
open-source development tools
processes for establishing and implementing business requirements for container services
key functions and features of data flow charts
methods for monitoring container services, including:
manually monitoring services
different organisational levels of responsibility relating to application functions.
Assessment Conditions
Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.
This includes access to:
the internet, including connectivity
text editor
required hardware, software and applications
vendor products relating to containerisation technology
containerisation service.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
Numeracy | Designs complex algorithms Selects from, and flexibly applies, a wide range of mathematical and problem-solving strategies, techniques, and principles when solving equations, constructing and reading flow charts and analysing data |
Oral communication | Uses listening and questioning skills to confirm understanding of requirements and participates in verbal exchanges of feedback resolution, ideas and solutions |
Reading | Critically analyses documentation, instructions and data from a variety of sources and records, and consolidates information, in order to determine requirements and steps forwards Identifies and interprets technical material to determine and confirm job, business and systems requirements |
Writing | Demonstrates sophisticated writing skills using specialised language, technical language and scripts and required conventions |
Teamwork | Elicits feedback and provides feedback to others, in order to improve self or workgroup behaviours |
Planning and organising | Researches, plans and sequences complex tasks, efficiently and effectively |
Problem solving | Applies systematic and analytical decision- making processes for complex and non-routine situations and bug code Uses nuanced understanding of context to recognise anomalies and subtle deviations to normal expectations, focusing attention and remedying problems as they arise in containers as well as in projects and wider systems |
Self-management | Takes full responsibility for following policies, procedures and legislative requirements, and identifies organisational implications of new legislation or regulation, including privacy and data use legislation Monitors progress of plans and schedules, and reviews and changes them, to meet new demands and priorities Investigates new and innovative ideas, as a means by which to continuously improve, work practices and processes through consultation, formal and analytical thinking |
Technology | Uses complex scripts and tools required within complex systems, applications, operation systems, the internet and required software and hardware components Uses complex cyber security procedures and techniques to maintain data security, and systems and application integrity |
Sectors
Systems analysis and design