Assessor Resource

ICTNWK617
Configure and manage a storage area network

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit addresses the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to configure and manage a Storage Area Network (SAN) which are widely used in the enterprise datacenter space and when coupled with server virtualisation technology, form the basis for highly available datacentres.

It applies to specialist technicians and storage engineers who manage and maintain highly available data storage in a networked environment.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Determine specifications for a Storage Area Network

1.1 Analyse and document client requirements.

1.2 Analyse and document the required topology to support a storage area network.

1.3 Analyse and determine the required storage capacity according to current and future business requirements.

1.4 Determine the storage protocols to be used to meet organisational requirements.

1.5 Determine the requirements for network management, backup, security and redundancy, according to organisational policy.

1.6 Analyse and recommend a SAN model based on client design requirements.

2. Configure network settings on a Storage Area Network filer/node.

2.1 Configure the initial SAN Network settings to facilitate network communication using the recommended process.

2.2 Configure Management Interface address to allow configuration of remaining network interfaces.

2.3 Create logical interfaces to support network-attached storage (NAS) protocols

2.4 Create logical interfaces to support SAN protocols

2.5 Configure virtual local area networks (VLAN) to segment the network according to the design brief

3. Provision storage

3.1 Create aggregate/s using recommended redundant array of independent disks (RAID) levels in accordance with the documented design brief.

3.2 Create logical volume/s in accordance with the documented design brief.

3.3 Create logical unit number/s (LUN) in accordance with the documented design brief.

3.4 Provision a share using NAS protocols in accordance with the documented design brief.

3.5 Provision storage using SAN protocols in accordance with the documented design brief.

4. Connect client and/or server to provisioned storage.

4.1 Connect client and/or server to shared storage using NAS protocols and verify operations.

4.2 Connect client to shared storage using SAN protocols and verify operations.

5. Configure advanced Storage Area Network Features.

5.1 Provision and test SAN based volume snapshot operations.

5.2 Provision and test SAN based data deduplication operations.

6. Configure Backup and Disaster recovery features.

6.1 Provision and test SAN based data replication operations.

6.2 Provision and test SAN based backup and restore operations.

Evidence of the ability to:

determine and document the specifications for a Storage Area network (SAN) solution

select the appropriate SAN solution to meet the client requirements

document and design a SAN solution that includes backup, security and redundancy

install and configure a storage cluster, either physically or in a simulated/virtualised environment

configure network settings to facilitate management of a SAN

verify and troubleshoot network connectivity

configure network protocols to facilitate storage access via a client/server environment

provision shared storage using suitable protocols

configure and use advanced SAN features if available

monitor and report on capacity utilization

resize existing storage to increase the size of existing datastores

create new datastores utilising capacity on a storage system.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

describe the function and applications of the following network protocols:

common internet file system CIFS

sever message block (SMB)

network file system (NFS)

internet small computer system interface (iSCSI)

fibre channel (FC)

fibre channel over Ethernet (FCOE)

describe the advanced SAN features including:

snapshots

data deduplication

flexible volumes

replication

backup and restore

describe the advantages and disadvantages of storage area networks (SAN) versus direct attached storage (DAS) devices

identify and describe common hard drive types including:

serial attached SCSI (small computer system interface) -SAS

serial ATA (SATA)

solid state disk (SSD)

identify and describe common network cable types and connectors

outline the common network topologies

describe the implementation and configuration of SANs

recognise and describe redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configurations and state their application in data storage

describe which features of advanced storage systems can be applied in server and/or virtualized environments

describe the functional and interconnection relationship between storage systems and servers in server and/or virtualized environments

describe how storage systems can protect against data storage failures and the functional process for recovering data.

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the networking field of work and include access to:

site or prototype where a storage area network may be implemented

storage area network appliance or simulated appliance

network technical requirements

appropriate software.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Determine specifications for a Storage Area Network

1.1 Analyse and document client requirements.

1.2 Analyse and document the required topology to support a storage area network.

1.3 Analyse and determine the required storage capacity according to current and future business requirements.

1.4 Determine the storage protocols to be used to meet organisational requirements.

1.5 Determine the requirements for network management, backup, security and redundancy, according to organisational policy.

1.6 Analyse and recommend a SAN model based on client design requirements.

2. Configure network settings on a Storage Area Network filer/node.

2.1 Configure the initial SAN Network settings to facilitate network communication using the recommended process.

2.2 Configure Management Interface address to allow configuration of remaining network interfaces.

2.3 Create logical interfaces to support network-attached storage (NAS) protocols

2.4 Create logical interfaces to support SAN protocols

2.5 Configure virtual local area networks (VLAN) to segment the network according to the design brief

3. Provision storage

3.1 Create aggregate/s using recommended redundant array of independent disks (RAID) levels in accordance with the documented design brief.

3.2 Create logical volume/s in accordance with the documented design brief.

3.3 Create logical unit number/s (LUN) in accordance with the documented design brief.

3.4 Provision a share using NAS protocols in accordance with the documented design brief.

3.5 Provision storage using SAN protocols in accordance with the documented design brief.

4. Connect client and/or server to provisioned storage.

4.1 Connect client and/or server to shared storage using NAS protocols and verify operations.

4.2 Connect client to shared storage using SAN protocols and verify operations.

5. Configure advanced Storage Area Network Features.

5.1 Provision and test SAN based volume snapshot operations.

5.2 Provision and test SAN based data deduplication operations.

6. Configure Backup and Disaster recovery features.

6.1 Provision and test SAN based data replication operations.

6.2 Provision and test SAN based backup and restore operations.

Evidence of the ability to:

determine and document the specifications for a Storage Area network (SAN) solution

select the appropriate SAN solution to meet the client requirements

document and design a SAN solution that includes backup, security and redundancy

install and configure a storage cluster, either physically or in a simulated/virtualised environment

configure network settings to facilitate management of a SAN

verify and troubleshoot network connectivity

configure network protocols to facilitate storage access via a client/server environment

provision shared storage using suitable protocols

configure and use advanced SAN features if available

monitor and report on capacity utilization

resize existing storage to increase the size of existing datastores

create new datastores utilising capacity on a storage system.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

describe the function and applications of the following network protocols:

common internet file system CIFS

sever message block (SMB)

network file system (NFS)

internet small computer system interface (iSCSI)

fibre channel (FC)

fibre channel over Ethernet (FCOE)

describe the advanced SAN features including:

snapshots

data deduplication

flexible volumes

replication

backup and restore

describe the advantages and disadvantages of storage area networks (SAN) versus direct attached storage (DAS) devices

identify and describe common hard drive types including:

serial attached SCSI (small computer system interface) -SAS

serial ATA (SATA)

solid state disk (SSD)

identify and describe common network cable types and connectors

outline the common network topologies

describe the implementation and configuration of SANs

recognise and describe redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configurations and state their application in data storage

describe which features of advanced storage systems can be applied in server and/or virtualized environments

describe the functional and interconnection relationship between storage systems and servers in server and/or virtualized environments

describe how storage systems can protect against data storage failures and the functional process for recovering data.

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the networking field of work and include access to:

site or prototype where a storage area network may be implemented

storage area network appliance or simulated appliance

network technical requirements

appropriate software.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

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
Analyse and document client requirements. 
Analyse and document the required topology to support a storage area network. 
Analyse and determine the required storage capacity according to current and future business requirements. 
Determine the storage protocols to be used to meet organisational requirements. 
Determine the requirements for network management, backup, security and redundancy, according to organisational policy. 
Analyse and recommend a SAN model based on client design requirements. 
Configure the initial SAN Network settings to facilitate network communication using the recommended process. 
Configure Management Interface address to allow configuration of remaining network interfaces. 
Create logical interfaces to support network-attached storage (NAS) protocols 
Create logical interfaces to support SAN protocols 
Configure virtual local area networks (VLAN) to segment the network according to the design brief 
Create aggregate/s using recommended redundant array of independent disks (RAID) levels in accordance with the documented design brief. 
Create logical volume/s in accordance with the documented design brief. 
Create logical unit number/s (LUN) in accordance with the documented design brief. 
Provision a share using NAS protocols in accordance with the documented design brief. 
Provision storage using SAN protocols in accordance with the documented design brief. 
Connect client and/or server to shared storage using NAS protocols and verify operations. 
Connect client to shared storage using SAN protocols and verify operations. 
Provision and test SAN based volume snapshot operations. 
Provision and test SAN based data deduplication operations. 
Provision and test SAN based data replication operations. 
Provision and test SAN based backup and restore operations. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTNWK617 - Configure and manage a storage area network
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ICTNWK617 - Configure and manage a storage area network

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