Telecommunication planning engineers and senior technical staff apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to investigate the application of cloud networks (infrastructure-as-a-service) in telecommunications switching.

Technical planners develop strategies to accommodate shortfalls in capacity and functionality for a switching network, and develop solutions for network growth using emerging technologies.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Evaluate current physical network infrastructure

1.1. Analyse the scalability, functionality, cost, security and energy consumption of existing physical network infrastructure

1.2. Report on the shortfalls and risks of existing physical infrastructure in accommodating network growth and increased functionality

1.3. Investigate capacity and functionality shortfalls of existing physical infrastructure to highlight the limitations of the existing switching network

1.4. Document estimated costs and issues associated with meeting capacity and functionality shortfalls using existing physical infrastructure

2. Investigate the application of cloud networks

2.1. Analyse trends in cloud networks (infrastructure-as-a-service) technologies and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) architectures against the rapid changes in the landscape

2.2. Determine the applicability of cloud networks (infrastructure-as-a-service) to meet capacity and functionality requirements of the network

2.3. Assess the risks in using cloud networks to meet capacity and functionality requirements of the network

2.4. Evaluate a range of cloud network solutions and justify the selection of an optimum network switching solution

2.5. Develop solution elements using a series of small project elements

2.6. Produce a cloud network alternative solution to emulate the existing Core Network of a service provider

3. Analyse the impact of the cloud network solution for system integration and across business domains

3.1. Prepare a plan for organisational change control process and the integration of cloud network solutions within a complete network infrastructure

3.2. Prepare a test scenario and produce a test management schedule for the testing process of system elements and interfaces using simulation

3.3. Use integration document software to replicate issues exhibited in test environment

3.4. Certify cloud network solution compatibility and compliance to requirements using web based test management tool (quality centre) to conduct performance evaluation tests

3.5. Analyse test reports to evaluate load balancing and network security issues in test environment

3.6. Document and resolve conflicts detected in simulation testing

4. Develop a business case for implementation of a cloud network

4.1. Prepare a cost-benefit analysis of the cloud network solution as a business case to evaluate the return on investment (RoI)

4.2. Investigate staging of the solution and timing implementation of the project elements as a scenario for real life implementation

4.3. Research and report on the key features of cloud network implementation in a business case study

Required skills

analytical skills to evaluate the existing physical network infrastructure

communication skills to:

interact with enterprise personnel, customers and other contractors, while maintaining a customer focus and consideration of customer needs

work effectively within a group

liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and business matters

literacy skills to:

prepare reports given a specific format

read and interpret technical documentation, software and hardware manuals, specifications and relevant enterprise policy

numeracy skills to analyse requirements

PC skills to use a word processor to translate enterprise and technology issues into a cloud network solution

planning and organisational skills to:

manage and prioritise own work

manage solution elements

break up large project component into a series of smaller project components

problem solving skills to solve domain, technology and logistics problems

safety awareness skills to follow all related occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail and adherence to project requirements

technical skills to:

prepare a test scenario and test regime for the simulation

resolve system conflict or defects following simulation testing

set up test management schedules and diagnose interface requirements

Required knowledge

analysing infrastructure-as-a-service components

existing digital switching technology in service provider core network

information required to develop architectural solutions

integration document software

new cloud network technologies

overview knowledge of cloud networking transmission, transmitter and receiver architecture and their associated infrastructure

performance and integration requirements

prepare and/or interpret technical documentation

protocols as used on the MPLS and infrastructure-as-a-service

specific knowledge related to network components and their functions

specific organisational requirements relating to the computer systems

typical issues and challenges that occur with system changes

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:

evaluate the current physical network infrastructure's capacity and functionality shortfalls

investigate the application of cloud networks and plan the architectural design

develop components of cloud networking solution for meeting capacity and functionality requirements of the network

assess the risks in using cloud networks to meet capacity and functionality requirements of the network

analyse impact of integration of cloud network solution on the network

prepare a test plan with test scenario and produce a test management schedule

use integration document and software test management tools to replicate issues exhibited in test environment

certify cloud network solution compatibility and compliance

prepare a cost-benefit analysis of the cloud network solution

develop a business case for implementation of a cloud network.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

site where the application of cloud networks in telecommunications switching may be investigated

software tools currently used in industry

vendor products, specifications, equipment and enterprise policy required for the activity.

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 investigating the application of cloud networks and planning the architectural design

review of reports, plans and business case for a cloud network solution prepared by the candidate

oral or written questioning of the candidate to assess knowledge of cloud networks.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN8197A Produce engineering solutions using numerical computations and simulation.

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.

Cloud networks refers to:

delivery of internet protocol (IP) infrastructure (typically a platform virtualisation environment) as a service

overlays the IP network using MPLS.

multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) refers to:

encapsulating packets of various network protocols

use in creating virtual links between distant nodes

use in high-performance telecommunications networks which direct and carry data from one network node to the next

using layered protocols using the OSI 7 layer model.

Infrastructure-as-a-service may include:

computer hardware (typically set up as a grid for massive horizontal scalability)

computer network:

firewalls

gateways

load balancing

MPLS switch

servers

internet connectivity

platform virtualisation environment for running client specified virtual machines

service level agreements

utility computing billing:

per instance hour.

Integration of cloud network solutions may include:

hardware compatibility

no contentions

platform compatibility

protocol compatibility

signalling contention

software compatibility

system interoperability

technology compatibility.

Test management schedule may include:

post-installation test procedures

pre-installation test procedures

produces test summary report

profiling of software solution

risk defects report

simulation testing

test process is testable for network software built.

Integration document software may include:

fine-tuning capabilities in multi-operating environments

integration with existing system

links to legacy systems.

Performance evaluation tests may include:

defects (defects detected are logged and mapped to failed cases)

releases (manage software releases and iterations)

requirements (traceability and management)

test lab (execute test cases from test plan)

test plan (creating and updating test cases).

Key features may include:

bandwidth on demand

distribution

enhanced rate

transmission.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.