ICTTEN4241A - Design network projects

ICTTEN4241A
Design network projects

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan and design projects for access, building and core telecommunications networks.The unit includes legacy, current and emerging technologies and practices. It also includes use of access network deployment data, technology, equipment, capacity management and network management information sources.The project may be for a new installation or to upgrade the technology or the capacity of an existing network or subsystem to facilitate convergence to the next generation network (NGN).

Application

Technical staff and their subcontractors from private and public organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They combine technical planning and design skills with broader organisational skills to plan and design projects for a service provider, such as a major carrier or other communications service providers.

Technical officers, communications workers or engineers may be responsible for small projects or parts of larger projects on NGN in the deployment of copper, wireless, hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC), fibre to the x (FTTx) and fibre networks.

Prerequisites

Nil

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Analyse different types of network technologies

1.1 Determine network characteristics using network information sources

1.2 Select techniques to provide service to greenfields, brownfields and rehabilitation projects for access networks

1.3 Select techniques to provide for new service, capacity expansion and equipment recovery projects for building and core networks

1.4 Produce a brief on how network architecture components relate to the larger network and their impact on the work

1.5 Develop an installation activity schedule that complies with relevant regulations and standards to minimise disruption to the workplace

1.6 Evaluate availability of equipment and technologies and establish compatibility with existing network equipment

2. Apply deployment and construction practices for network technologies

2.1 Review conduit and jointing chamber standards and practices for the access network

2.2 Examine standards, practices and requirements for locating telecommunications infrastructure in the access network

2.3 Examine standards, practices and requirements for locating and standing racks, cabinets and supporting infrastructure

2.4 Examine capacity and practices for cabling and patching twisted-pair, coaxial and fibre distribution frames

3. Review network standards and prepare a draft design

3.1 Review customer’s network deployment rules and apply to a network design

3.2 Produce a preliminary plan or design on the deployment of the network that maintains integrity of access, building and core networks

3.3 Establish a solution for anticipated constraints through discussions with appropriate personnel

3.4 Review plan to ensure that it complies with requirements of applicable legislation, codes, regulations and standards required when working on network, and where appropriate make adjustments

3.5 Produce final project design that includes recommendations agreed with the customer

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to:

evaluate different types of technical data

interpret data results

interpret technical and non-technical documentation and write summary reports in required formats

select and compare benefits and limitations of access equipment

communication skills to:

liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters

negotiate approvals and contract arrangements with suppliers, contractors, customers and consultants

negotiate with customers, stakeholders and colleagues

work in a team environment for organisational objectives

literacy skills to:

document technical requirements and procedures

interpret technical specifications and related documentation

read technical reports and incorporate findings in designs

numeracy skills to:

calculate hazardous induction and earth potential rise (EPR) zones

calculate transmission requirements and link budgets

develop accurate costing for designs

make engineering calculations for designs

planning and organising skills to:

balance priorities of conflicting demands

develop cost-effective designs

plan workload

prioritise and monitor own work

schedule and coordinate activities of other parties

problem-solving skills to account for unexpected variations to requirements

technical skills to:

apply customer practices and procedures to project designs

apply network code systems

assign activity coding

produce CAD or other electronic drawings

read plans.

Required knowledge

access network issues and challenges

commercial considerations of access network deployment

common network topologies

compatibility issues of technology and equipment

criteria for exemption processes

enterprise deployment rules and rationale

major equipment components of modern access architecture

monitoring techniques to manage the access network

network architectures and geographical categorisation

network capacity and capability management

network capacity limitation of various platforms

network information sources

network technology and equipment

product capability and availability

telecommunications legislation, Acts, regulations and their sources.

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: identify and document the most suitable network technology to be deployed for a given requirement apply established planning, design and management techniques for the deployment of a project produce a project design that complies with the techniques, rules and standards of the deployed network.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Assessment must ensure: network planning and design documentation and other site-related documentation equipment specifications live network or training facilities with simulated network organisational guidelines access to relevant standards and practices documentation.
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 planning, designing and managing the deployment of access network architecture review of reports completed by the candidate for differing examples of access networks review of final deployment plan prepared by the candidate outlining recommendations for the customer oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment and technologies as used within the access network presentation by candidate of their considerations of the standards and practices relevant to the design.
Guidance information for assessment	Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTNPL4109A Evaluate the capability of access networks. 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.

Network may refer to:	broadband: wireless fidelity (WiFi) world interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) copper: coaxial hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) twisted-pair digital services: asymmetrical digital subscriber lines (ADSL) digital subscriber lines (DSL) next generation network (NGN): broadband access data transfer internet protocol (IP) based systems internet protocol private branch exchange (IP PBX) internet protocol TV (IPTV) mobile data mobile telephony multimedia video voice over internet protocol (VoIP) optical: fibre to the node (FTTN) fibre to the premises (FTTP) FTTx HFC wireless networks: cellular microwave radio satellite.
Network information sources may include:	network management databases for: capacity assessment data network performance data traffic dimensioning data network management tools.
Network architecture components may include:	copper network: copper cable lead-in lightning protection line power supply loading coils main distribution frame pair gain system ethernet broadband remote access server (EBRAS) HFC network IP edge optical: add/drop multiplexer broadband passive optical network (BPON) cross connect unit distribution/lead-in multi-port (DLM/LM) fibre access points fibre distribution hub (FDH) dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems cloud network gigabit passive optical network (GPON) high density/optical fibre distribution frame (HD/OFDF) home optical network terminal optical distribution network optical fibre optical receiver packet optical line terminal (P-OLT) video optical line terminal (V-OLT) wave division multiplexing (WDM) wireless network: antennae dish headend hubs and nodes radio frequency (RF) amplifier radio towers and huts RF transmitters and receivers satellite tap waveguide video service centre.
Equipment may include:	digital IP-based optical: add/drop multiplexers amplifiers filters receivers splitters/combiners switches transmitters wireless: amplifiers filters microwave receivers RF broadband satellite transmitters.
Technologies may include:	digital subscriber lines: ADSL DSL IP broadband: IPTV VoIP WiFi WiMAX mobile radio optical transmission systems: DWDM gigabit ethernet passive optical network GEPON GPON WDM.
Network deployment rules may relate to:	exemption process criteria restricted site access: financial institutions government offices rail corridor research establishments separation from other services: electricity fire equipment gas other telecommunications service providers water.
Applicable legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:	AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1 AS/ACIF S008:2006 AS/ACIF S009:2006 AS/NZS 3000:2007 AS/NZS 3080:2003 AS/NZS 3084:2003 AS/NZS 3085.1:2004 AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006 AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006 AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007 AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005 AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007 Australian building codes and regulations Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes cabling security codes and regulations EPA, waterways, rail, land access, and national parks federal, state and local regulations fire regulations industry drafting codes of practice mining legislation noise abatement and heritage legislation Telecommunications Act 1998 Telecommunications code of practice WHS Acts and relevant codes and standards.

Sectors

Telecommunications - Telecommunications networks engineering

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

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.