ICASAS307A - Install, configure and secure a small office home office network
Assessor Resource
ICASAS307A Install, configure and secure a small office home office network
Assessment tool
Version 1.0 Issue Date: April 2024
This unit applies to individuals required to network a small or home office. The unit covers the development of a suitable network design, the identification of relevant network components to meet the design brief and the installation, configuration and securing of the network to meet client requirements.
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify available network components relevant to client requirements and to install, configure and secure those components as part of a small office or home office (SOHO) network.
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:
identify the most relevant network hardware and software equipment to meet client requirements
install, configure and test the network according to client requirements, and produce appropriate documentation
identify possible security threats and secure the network.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
current industry standard software, hardware, and networking technologies
server and workstation hardware and software
internet connection
live network
network components, hardware and software
networked computers
technical documentation and installation manuals
vendor hardware and software components
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 candidate’s knowledge of:
current industry-accepted network hardware and software products
hardware and software installation procedures
direct observation of candidate:
configuring LAN equipment in a variety of scenarios
troubleshooting security issues
review of candidate’s:
documented installation process
documented security settings.
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 evaluate hardware, software and network specifications against client requirements
communication skills to deal with clients and vendors
literacy skills to:
review technical documentation
write detailed technical notes
planning and organisational skills to:
set benchmarks and identify scope
develop plans, prioritise tasks and apply contingency strategy
problem-solving skills to predict the range of network problems
research skills to identify, analyse and evaluate technical information
technical skills to:
identify and install components of hardware, software, cabling and wireless equipment
use network system software.
Required knowledge
current industry-accepted hardware and software products
current industry-accepted network hardware and software products
data and voice transmission technologies and protocols
hardware and software installation procedures
local area network (LAN) capabilities and characteristics, including network type, such as ethernet, Appletalk IP addressing, switch or hub operation
network connections, both wired and wireless
networking technologies, incorporating substantial depth in areas relating to network operating systems and cabling standards
operating system, such as Mac, Linux, Novell, Windows, to enable basic installation
set-up and configuration procedures
small business and home office networking requirements
software packages supported by the organisation.
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.
Client requirements may relate to networking a:
small business
small club
small home office
small network.
Small office home office network may refer to:
a single or small number of rooms
linking a small number of personal computers (PCs) or laptops and associated peripherals
having or not having a server
sharing peripherals, files and other information
using single type or combination of wired or wireless connections:
Networking technologies, devices and protocols may include:
bandwidth and latency
basics class identification
basics of configuring IP addressing and transmission control protocol or internet protocol (TCP/IP) properties (DHCP, DNS)
basics of workgroups and domains
common ports:
file transfer protocol (FTP)
hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)
hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS)
post office protocol (POP)
simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP)
Telnet
full-duplex and half-duplex
hub, switch and router
identify virtual private networks (VPN)
internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) versus internet protocol version 4 (IPv4):
address conventions
address length differences
local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)
protocols, such as:
TCP/IP
network basic input/output system (NETBIOS)
status indicators.
Network cables and connectors may include:
cables:
plenum or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
shielded twisted-pair (STP)
fibre
coaxial cable
unshielded twisted-pair (UTP), such as CAT3, CAT5, 5e, and CAT6
connectors:
RJ11
RJ45.
Appropriate person may include:
authorised business representative
client
supervisor.
Industry standards may include:
Australian Standards (AS)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
organisational standards
project standards.
Computer may include:
iPAD (or similar)
laptop
notebook
personal digital assistant (PDA)
Mac or PC
server
thin client
workstation.
Installation and configuration tools may include:
basics of hardware and software firewall configuration:
port assignment or setting up rules (exceptions)
port forwarding or port triggering
connection types:
basic VoIP (consumer applications)
Bluetooth (1.0 versus 2.0)
broadband:
cable
DSL
ISDN
satellite
cellular
dial-up
LAN (10, 100, 1000BaseT, Speeds)
routers or access points:
change default username and password
change SSID from default
disable DHCP
disable SSID broadcast
firewall
MAC filtering
update firmware
use static IP
wireless:
all 802.11
DHCP settings
MAC filtering
service set identifier (SSID)
wired equivalent privacy (WEP)
wi-fi protected access (WPA)
physical installation:
cable length
wireless router placement.
Network settings may include:
characteristics of TCP/IP:
automatic IP addressing
loopback addresses
firewall settings:
open and closed ports
program filters
FTP settings:
exceptions
IP addresses
ports
programs
mail protocol settings:
internet message access protocol (IMAP)
POP
SMTP
proxy settings:
exceptions
IP addresses
ports
programs
TCP/IP settings:
DHCP (dynamic versus static)
DNS
gateway
NAT (private and public)
subnet mask.
Networking tools may include:
secure connection protocols:
HTTPS
secure shell (SSH)
tools to use and interpret results:
ipconfig
Net use
Netstat
Nslookup
Ping
Telnet
Tracert.
Security concepts and technologies may include:
authentication technologies:
biometrics
password
smart cards
user name
basics of data sensitivity and data security:
classifications
compliance
social engineering
data wiping or hard drive destruction or hard drive recycling
encryption technologies
software firewall:
exceptions
port security.
Security features may include:
biometrics:
fingerprint scanner
bios security:
drive lock
intrusion detection
passwords
TPM
locking workstation:
hardware
operating system
malicious software protection:
adware
grayware
spam
spyware
trojans
viruses
worms
password management or password complexity
wireless encryption:
client configuration, such as service set identifier (SSID)
WEPx and WPAx.
Common security intrusion symptoms and issues may relate to:
operating systems:
encryption (Bitlocker, EFS)
local users and groups: administrator, power users, guest, users
new technology file system (NTFS) versus share permissions:
allow versus deny
difference between moving and copying folders and files
file attributes
shared files and folders:
administrative shares versus local shares
inheritance
permission propagation
system files and folders
user authentication
Vista or Windows 7 User Account Control (UAC)
system:
network basic input/output system (BIOS) security:
drive lock
passwords
intrusion detection
TPM
virus and malware tools:
educate end user
identify malware symptoms
quarantine infected systems
remediate infected systems
repair boot blocks
research malware types, symptoms and solutions (virus encyclopaedia)
scan and removal techniques:
boot environment
safe mode
schedule scans
update antivirus software:
automatic versus manual
signature and engine updates
use antivirus software.
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 and clarify the client requirement for the small office home office network
Identify the most suitable network design to meet the client requirement
Develop and document the network design
Identify the most suitable network technologies, devices and protocols and network cables and connectors to meet the network design
Review the available network technologies, devices and protocols and determine the most appropriate to meet the client requirements
Source vendors and service suppliers to obtain specifications, availability and cost of identified components
Ensure client sign-off for proposed network design and associated components
Develop installation 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
Confirm and review supplier documentation that network cables and connectors have been installed according to industry standards, client requirements and building requirements
Install and configure computer and other hardware according to the network design and industry standards using knowledge of relevant installation and configuration tools
Install and configure network software according to network design and industry standards
Install and configure other software according to network design and industry standards
Troubleshoot client-side connectivity using appropriate networking settings to review relevant network tools
Test the installed software and hardware, using available networking tools to ensure that components are functioning as expected
Test the network settings to ensure the network is functioning according to specification
Resolve problems identified through the testing process
Identify possible security concepts and technologies relevant to securing the network
Apply specific protection using identified security features to protect against possible network attacks
Troubleshoot different types of security intrusion symptoms and issues
Document final network design and associated hardware, software and security features
Document installation, bootup and configuration procedures as per client requirements
Complete handover and secure sign-off from client
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
ICASAS307A - Install, configure and secure a small office home office 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:
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Date:
Assessment Record Sheet
ICASAS307A - Install, configure and secure a small office home office network
Student name:
Student ID:
Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
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Feedback to student:
Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent