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 following is essential:

Assessment must confirm the ability to install, configure and test network switches.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require access to:

Network devices, including configurable (Ethernet LAN) switches (needed to support features such as STP, VLANs and frame forwarding modes), PCs, routers

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Generally, switches have replaced bridges in modern network design. The high port density of a switch (e.g. 24 to 48 ports), offers much more value than the few ports available in a typical bridge. Furthermore, switches offer many other performance- and security-enhancing features.

The main focus of this unit is on installing and configuring LAN, not WAN switches. Although both LAN and WAN switches are used extensively in many networked environments, the predominant use lies with LAN switches. WAN switches usually operate at the edge of a LAN and as such, are mainly installed and configured by telecommunications service providers.

A current trend is the use of Virtual LANs (VLANs). VLANs logically segment a network (as opposed to physically segmenting the network, via simple, non-programmable switches or hubs). The benefits of VLANs include increased network security and a more convenient method for grouping an organisation's employees into logical workgroups, even though they may work in separate physical locations of the company.

High-end switches in a multi-switched LAN imply the use of trunking, where traffic from many users flows up major arterial connections in the LAN hierarchy. Thus, a trunking protocol must be implemented.

The breadth, depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills or knowledge applications across a broad range of technical and/or management requirements, evaluation and coordination would be characteristic.

Assessment must ensure:

The demonstration of competency may also require self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.

Applications involve participation in development of strategic initiatives as well as personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations or organising others. It may include participation in teams including teams concerned with planning and evaluation functions. Group or team coordination may also be involved.

Method of assessment

The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.

Competency in this unit should be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICAA5144B Determine best-fit topology for a local network

ICAB5159C Build a security shield for a network

ICAB5160B Build and configure a server

ICAI4188B Install and maintain a server

ICAI5172B Implement backbone technologies in a local area network

ICAI5176B Install and configure router

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating theoretical concepts, with substantial depth in some areas

Analyse and plan approaches to technical problems or management requirements

Transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical or creative skills to a range of situations

Evaluate information, using it to forecast for planning or research purposes

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad quantity and quality parameters

Take some responsibility for the achievement of group outcomes

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Additionally, an individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate theoretical knowledge of bridges and switches

Apply solutions to a variety of problems

Perform processes that require a range of skills

Interpret available information

Required skills

Installing and configuring simple computer components

Ability to record testing results

Ability to critically analyse details

Ability to understand specification sheets

Ability to organise, and assess importance and relevance of, product information

Ability to analyse and synthesise information

Ability to diagnose performance deviations

Required knowledge

The operation of switches in relation to the open systems interconnect (OSI) layer (i.e. protocol stack) model. (switches operate at layer two of the OSI model.)

Functions and features of network interface card (NIC) (e.g. MAC and IP) addresses

Network design in relation to physical constraints and role of switches, and how to overcome constraints in terms of traffic isolation and network utilisation (e.g. microsegmentation, VLANs)

Operation of a relevant network operating system (e.g. UNIX, Linux, Novell, Microsoft

Functions and features of switches, including various filtering and forwarding modes (e.g. store-and-forward, cut-through, fast-forward), switching tables, bridge learning, spanning tree algorithm (STA) and spanning tree protocol (STP)

Advantages and disadvantages of switches in relation to network architecture and client requirements (e.g. switches offer dedicated, full-bandwidth service to users)

Basic functions of checksums (i.e. cyclic redundancy check [CRC])

Functions and features of transparent switching

Australian Computer Society Code of Ethics

Networks bridges and switches

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.

Software may include but is not limited to:

commercial software applications

organisation-specific software

packaged software

in-house or customised software.

Equipment may include but is not limited to:

workstations

personal computers

modems and other connectivity devices

printers

DSL modems

hard drives

monitors

switches

hubs

personal digital assistant (PDA)

other peripheral devices

Network may include but is not limited to:

large and small LANs

national WANs

the internet

VPNs

the use of the PSTN for dial-up modems only

private lines

data

voice

Client may include but is not limited to:

internal departments

external organisations

clubs

individual people

internal employees

Network topology may include:

star

extended star campus networks

ring

bus

hierarchical

hybrid