ICANWK508A - Install, operate and troubleshoot medium enterprise switches
Assessor Resource
ICANWK508A Install, operate and troubleshoot medium enterprise switches
Assessment tool
Version 1.0 Issue Date: April 2024
This unit applies to the installation, operation and troubleshooting of medium enterprise networks. Job roles include help-desk technician and network-support technician.
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use appropriate tools, equipment, software and protocols to install, operate, and troubleshoot medium enterprise switches.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
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 for the installation of an enterprise switch
install, configure and test the network elements to ensure interoperability within the network
apply network topologies, protocols and security issues
apply solutions and troubleshoot defined network problems.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
site where network installation may be conducted
enterprise switches and operating systems
equipment specifications
hardware and software
organisational guidelines
appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.
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 new or updated network
evaluation of documentation that outlines testing procedures, test results, recommendation to network changes and completion records
verbal or written questioning of required knowledge.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.
In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Required skills
communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical, operational and business-related matters
literacy skills to:
interpret technical documentation
write reports as required
numeracy skills to:
take test measurements
interpret results
evaluate performance and interoperability of network
planning and organisational skills to:
coordinate the process in liaison with others
plan, prioritise and monitor own work
problem-solving skills to:
adapt configuration procedures to requirements of network and reconfigure depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments
troubleshoot and debug router switch issues
research skills to investigate appropriate hardware to meet requirements
technical skills to:
assess and implement security requirements
select and configure networking devices.
Required knowledge
overview knowledge of RSTP
detailed knowledge of:
debug commands
routing between VLANs
STP
switch calling line identification (CLI) commands
VLANs.
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 include:
data
internet
large and small local area networks (LAN)
national wide area networks (WAN)
virtual private network (VPN).
Documentation may include:
equipment inventory
International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Australian Standards (AS) standards
naming standards
project management templates and report writing
satisfaction reports
version control.
Network elements may include:
adaptors
communications cables and connectors
hubs
routers
servers
switches.
Requirements may refer to:
business
network
people in the organisation
system.
Client may include:
external organisations
individuals
internal departments
internal employees.
Appropriate person may include:
authorised business representative
client
supervisor.
Basic switch security may include:
port deactivation
port security
secure shell (SSH).
Enhanced switching technologies may include:
802.1q
per-VLAN spanning tree protocol (PVSTP)
RSTP
trunking
VLAN.
Basic utilities may include:
debug commands
ipconfig
ping
secure shell (SSH)
Telnet
traceroute.
Common switched network issues may include:
auto-negotiation
configuration issues
media issues
switch hardware failures
VLAN
STP and RSTP
trunking.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Prepare for given work according to legislation, OHS, codes, regulations and standards
Arrange access to the site according to required procedure
Review existing network design documentation to ensure it is current and complete
Select the network elements required to be installed to meet the technical requirements
Contact vendors and service suppliers to obtain specifications and availability of identified components
Develop plans, with prioritised tasks and contingency arrangements, for installation of components with minimum disruption to client
Liaise with appropriate person to obtain approval for the plans, including security clearance and timing
Describe network segmentation, basic traffic management and basic switching concepts
Perform, save and verify initial switch configuration tasks
Select the appropriate media, cables, ports, and connectors to connect switches to other network devices and hosts
Upgrade firmware on a switch
Save and back up switch configuration files
Implement basic switch security
Describe enhanced switching technologies
Configure and verify virtual local area networks (VLANs)
Configure and verify trunks between switches
Configure and verify inter-VLAN routing
Configure and verify spanning tree protocol (STP) and rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP) operation
Troubleshoot device configuration and network connectivity using basic utilities
Identify and resolve common switched network issues
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
ICANWK508A - Install, operate and troubleshoot medium enterprise switches
Assessment task 1: [title]
Student name:
Student ID:
I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.
Student signature:
Result: Competent Not yet competent
Feedback to student
Assessor name:
Signature:
Date:
Assessment Record Sheet
ICANWK508A - Install, operate and troubleshoot medium enterprise switches
Student name:
Student ID:
Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
(add lines for each task)
Feedback to student:
Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent