Assessor Resource

ICANWK516A
Determine best-fit topology for a local network

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to individuals in senior roles in the networking area who are required to plan the most appropriate topology for a proposed network.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to determine the most appropriate way of networking computers to meet user needs and business requirements.

Network topologies include large and small local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), virtual private networks (VPNs), virtual local area networks (VLANs) and wireless local area networks (WLANs).

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:

analyse business or organisational needs

identify the most appropriate LAN, VPN or WLAN topology

document the recommendation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

business requirements

equipment specifications

organisational and industry costing

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

modified equipment 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:

verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of:

network segments

network traffic

different topologies

review of candidate’s network functional matrix

evaluation of candidate’s documented topology recommendation.

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

analytical skills to determine features of the physical environment for the effect on network design

literacy skills to produce network recommendations

numeracy skills to conduct a costing process

technical skills to:

conduct basic traffic analysis

connect networks and keep cables tidy

use LAN functional matrices

use network protocols

use traffic simulation tools.

Required knowledge

detailed knowledge of:

adaptor cards

bridges

constraints, including costs and queuing

ethernet

gateways

growth projections and capacity planning

high and low-speed links

hubs

protocols

redundancy paths

response time and reliability requirements

routers

scope of operation

security

transmission control protocol or internet protocol (TCP/IP)

traffic flow patterns

traffic load

users applications requirements

overview knowledge of:

cabling, particularly unshielded twisted pair (UTP), shielded twisted pair (STP) or optic fibre

characteristics and relative strengths and weaknesses of LAN network topologies

features and capabilities of current industry-accepted hardware and software products

features of line sharing protocols.

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

large and small LANs

private lines

public switched telephone network (PSTN) for dial-up modems only

VLANs

VPNs

voice

WANs

WLANs.

Requirements may be in reference to:

business

network

people in the organisation

system.

Traffic may include:

data

video

voice.

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
Identify the different segments of the proposed network based on business requirements 
Determine segment needs, using network functional analysis 
Estimate traffic content and volumes based on business requirements 
Develop a prioritised organisational network functional matrix 
Determine the resource requirements for each network segment on the basis of functional analysis 
Analyse features of the physical environment for the effect on network design 
Conduct a costing process for possible topology options 
Consider topology options with reference to available resources and network functional matrix 
Select and document appropriate network topology based on business requirements and functional analysis 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICANWK516A - Determine best-fit topology for a local network
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

ICANWK516A - Determine best-fit topology for a local network

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

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: