Field officers, technicians or technical supervisors from telecommunications carriers, contractors or other service providers or private providers apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. It involves configuration of specialist PC based customer equipment to allow access to telecommunications services.

Customer equipment includes digital home integration, security, voice over IP (VoIP), internet protocol television (IPTV), radio frequency identification (RFID), wireless networking and home automation.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to install software

1.1. Arrange access to the site according to required procedure

1.2. Determine the type of customer equipment from the installation plan to prepare the software requirements to provide functionality required

1.3. Prepare equipment software configuration specifications to include enhancements in customer requirements and confirm with customer

1.4. Notify customers on proposed software installation

1.5. Confirm software compatibility with existing system if required

1.6. Document job software specification

2. Install the program and provide secure remote access

2.1. Configure customer specific data according to system specifications

2.2. Install and test system functionality to verify system operational performance following occupational health and safety (OHS), manufacturer's specifications and industry standards

2.3. Develop and configure security arrangements and codes for remote access systems in consultation with customer

2.4. Conduct tests to validate security arrangements

3. Undertake administrative tasks

3.1. Save and record configuration program and provide program backup for contingency use by customer

3.2. Complete administrative tasks and provide a copy of job specification to be securely stored on site following enterprise policy

3.3. Notify customer of job completion and obtain sign off

Required skills

analytical skills to interpret required software and hardware settings

communication skills to liaise with customers and technical staff to ensure requirements are known and can be met within timeframes

literacy skills to interpret technical specifications and related documentation

numeracy skills to make calculations and take readings for necessary configuration changes

planning and organisation skills to make site access and equipment delivery arrangements

problem solving to account for unexpected faults or equipment configuration anomalies

technical skills to:

handle, connect and calibrate test equipment

manage transfer of data, installation and configuration of software

use networking skills

Required knowledge

channels allocations

common operating systems and their impact on the configuration of, or version of software to be installed

frequency

IP addressing

logon procedures

numbering formats

product or service functions to ensure correct operation of completed installation

relevant regulatory and industry requirements

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:

prepare software configuration

load software into customer equipment

install security programs agreed with customer

test program and program features including:

system facilities

product features

required peripherals associated with the product

system functionality.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

suitable site for installation of system programs

use of equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and enterprise documentation that impacts on testing and installation.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate performing installation and configuration of software into equipment

review of written documentation prepared by the candidate outlining activity conducted, specific installation details and job completion records

written and oral questioning of the candidate on procedures and considerations for a range of installation situations.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN4072A Effect changes to existing customer premises equipment systems and equipment.

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.

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.

Customer equipment may include:

cable modem

digital home integration

digital subscriber line (DSL) router modem

fire alarm

IPTV

media entertainment centre

private branch exchange (PBX)

retail point of sale (POS) equipment

RFID

security alarm panel

set-top box

telemetry devices used by utilities:

electricity

gas

water

VoIP

Worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) customer premises equipment (CPE)

wireless broadband modem.

Functionality may include:

product features

required peripherals associated with product

system facilities

system functionality:

call detail recording

local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)

night service

permissions

security

station priorities

xDSL facilities.

Software configuration specifications may include:

billing details

customer port configurations

customised installation

network management

patch

software functionality

toll details

upgrade.

Customer specific data may include:

access and authorisation permissions

equipment configuration

location

service provider access codes.

Security arrangements and codes may include:

account names

passwords

PINs

usernames

remote access provisions:

logical ports

physical access lines.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.