Officers employed by telecommunications companies and IT networking provisioning companies who carry out installation, maintenance and upgrade of ICT networks apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

It involves LAN switch installation, configuration and testing in field work. It also applies to switching protocols and diagnostics required for integrating new and converging functionalities to the network.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to install the network switch

1.1. Prepare for installation in line with site specific safety requirements and enterprise occupational health and safety (OHS) processes and procedures

1.2. Notify customer to arrange access to site

1.3. Document the topology of the LAN

1.4. Obtain current and future network capacity predictions according to current and future business requirements from the appropriate person

1.5. Specify the number and type of switch required, with reference to future network requirements

1.6. Specify the requirements for network management and security, as prescribed by organisational policy

1.7. Select the switch and switch operating system software version with the appropriate features according to required specifications

2. Install and configure the network switch

2.1. Assemble, rack mount and connect switch and peripherals according to manufacturer's requirements

2.2. Connect user to access points using cable that meets the appropriate standard

2.3. Establish a valid network connection with other network devices

2.4. Configure a network internet protocol (IP) address for the switch

2.5. Install or configure simple network management protocol (SNMP) agent software, on each switch, to collect network traffic data for the management information base (MIB) from that segment of the network and relay it to the management console

2.6. Install and configure SNMP management console software on a computer designated to be the network manager's main console, to collect network traffic data from the switch acting as agents

2.7. Manually configure the user access ports of the switch for speed and for full or half-duplex operation

3. Test the network switch and reconfigure the network

3.1. Test the switch and other network devices according to manufacturer's requirements and organisational guidelines

3.2. Test to ensure that there is connectivity across the network

3.3. Modify the network to verify SNMP management software

3.4. Make adjustments to the network, depending on test and troubleshooting results

4. Complete documentation and clean up worksite

4.1. Tabulate test results and complete all user reports

4.2. Complete report and notify client of status of the network

4.3. Clean up and restore worksite to client's satisfaction

4.4. Secure sign off from appropriate person

Required skills

research skills to interrogate vendor databases and websites to implement different configuration requirements to meet security levels

communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical, operational and business related matters

literacy skills to read and interpret technical documentation and write reports in required formats

numeracy skills to take test measurements, interpret results and evaluate performance and interoperability of network

planning and organisational skills to plan, prioritise and monitor own work

problem solving and contingency management skills to adapt configuration procedures to requirements of network and reconfigure depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

technical skills to:

install and configure network switch

select switch and switch operating system

specify requirements for network management and security

test switch and other network devices

Required knowledge

advantages and disadvantages of switches over hubs

Australian Computer Society Code of Ethics

common network cable types and connectors

common network topologies

differences between standard and intelligent (i.e. configurable) switches and between switches and hubs

documentation skills for networks

implementation and configuration of networks

providing the network with redundant paths for reliability and the way routers and switches manage these paths

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:

plan and prepare for the LAN switch installation task

select a LAN Switch to meet the client business specifications

install switches without the network losing connectivity or failing

install and test the switch that ensures interoperability within the network

use a range of switch configurations

apply solutions to a variety of switch-related problems

report on the status of the completed installation and seek sign off and customer satisfaction

use switches

apply solutions to defined switching problems.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

site where switch installation must be may be conducted

use of field measurement equipment currently used in industry

relevant switch specifications, technical requirements for a network, switch, cabling, networked (LAN) computers, workstations, servers and WAN service point of presence.

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 installing, configuring and testing a LAN switch

oral or written questioning of required skills and knowledge

evaluation of report prepared by the candidate outlining testing procedures, results and recommendations to network changes.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN4198A Install, configure and test an internet protocol 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.

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.

Topology may include:

bus

hierarchical

hybrid

ring

star.

Network capacity may include:

expandability:

number of available uplink ports

hardware reliability

LAN topology support:

AppleTalk

Ethernet

FDDI

Token Ring

port bandwidth capabilities

100 megabits per second)

redundant power supply (AC/DC).

Appropriate person may include:

authorised business representative

client

IT support manager

network Administrator

network manager

small or medium enterprise (SME) customer

small office home office (SOHO) customer

supervisor.

Switch by vendors may include:

3Com

Accton

Bay

Cisco

DLink

Intel

NetGear

System 3000 Ethernet.

Peripherals may include:

Bluetooth devices

fax

Firewire (IEEE 1394)

input equipment may include:

mouse

pens

touch pad

laptops and desktop computers

mobile phones

modems

multimedia kits

palmtops and personal digital assistants (PDAs)

personal computer

printers

scanners

speakers

tape cartridges

universal serial bus (USB).

User may include:

department within the organisation

person within a department

third party.

Cable may include:

Category 5e, 6 or 7

crossover

fibre

shielded twisted pairs (STP)

straight through

unshielded twisted pairs (UTP).

Standard may include:

EIA/TIA 568A

EIA/TIA 568B.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.