Assessor Resource

ICTTEN603
Undertake network traffic management

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor, analyse and improve network performance for the purpose of effectively managing traffic flow in telecommunications networks.

It applies to individuals working as field officers, technicians or technical supervisors for carriers, contractors or other service providers, who manage network traffic and make recommendations for capacity planning switching and transmission networks.

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. Evaluate network capacity and traffic problems

1.1 Interrogate network alarms to identify areas of route and circuit unavailability

1.2 Assess planned and unplanned outages to determine network unavailability and verify restoration times

1.3 Interrogate system to identify traffic status using network management system

1.4 Analyse system alert to identify real and potential traffic problems

1.5 Analyse customer complaints and traffic measurement data to identify network problems

1.6 Activate and deactivate semi-permanent controls active in the network on a regular basis to simulate irregular traffic

2. Develop strategies to overcome network traffic problems

2.1 Conduct traffic measurements across all identified routes

2.2 Analyse results including historical data to make assessment of traffic volume requirements

2.3 Determine specific thresholds, loading and grading levels to alter traffic flows

2.4 Liaise with personnel to determine amendments to plan, based on funding parameters and budgeted levels

2.5 Develop strategies, based on traffic analysis and patterns, to control traffic and prevent congestion or other traffic problems

2.6 Develop strategies for recovery where traffic congestion occurs

2.7 Develop contingency plans to allow for problems during network changes

3. Apply short and long term solutions

3.1 Implement software changes according to planned strategy

3.2 Develop short-term ad hoc solutions where only a temporary solution is required

3.3 Ensure reversal action can be initiated in cases of temporary solutions

3.4 Implement contingency plan where required

3.5 Undertake monitoring of changes and take measurements to assess outcomes of variations

3.6 Prepare a report based on analysis of measurements for appropriate personnel with recommendations for further changes or actions

3.7 Review and monitor strategies regularly and initiate corrective action where required

4. Detect and take action on potential traffic congestion

4.1 Measure and analyse traffic loads to assess potential congestion problems and determine possible impact

4.2 Control traffic flow to prevent processor overloads

4.3 Evaluate potential traffic increases for impact on the network and develop contingencies to control traffic flow if required

5. Provide traffic indicators for capacity planning

5.1 Predict future potential traffic trends and requirements using data on current and historical traffic patterns

5.2 Identify potential network traffic problems and make recommendations to network planners

5.3 Complete reports with recommendations and forward to enterprise planners and account managers

Evidence of ability to:

implement a contingency plan

conduct traffic measurements

develop contingencies to control traffic flow

identify potential network traffic problems and make recommendations

provide information for capacity planning.

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:

explain customer policies and service level agreements

outline network management planning principles

summarise traffic blocking, congestion and dimensioning principles

explain traffic engineering

summarise traffic patterns

outline transmission type and signals that may be encountered

clarify typical network topologies, switching, routing and transmission techniques

summarise various network management systems suitable for conducting traffic evaluations.

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

a network and equipment for traffic monitoring and management

equipment and systems manuals, specifications and enterprise policy.

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. Evaluate network capacity and traffic problems

1.1 Interrogate network alarms to identify areas of route and circuit unavailability

1.2 Assess planned and unplanned outages to determine network unavailability and verify restoration times

1.3 Interrogate system to identify traffic status using network management system

1.4 Analyse system alert to identify real and potential traffic problems

1.5 Analyse customer complaints and traffic measurement data to identify network problems

1.6 Activate and deactivate semi-permanent controls active in the network on a regular basis to simulate irregular traffic

2. Develop strategies to overcome network traffic problems

2.1 Conduct traffic measurements across all identified routes

2.2 Analyse results including historical data to make assessment of traffic volume requirements

2.3 Determine specific thresholds, loading and grading levels to alter traffic flows

2.4 Liaise with personnel to determine amendments to plan, based on funding parameters and budgeted levels

2.5 Develop strategies, based on traffic analysis and patterns, to control traffic and prevent congestion or other traffic problems

2.6 Develop strategies for recovery where traffic congestion occurs

2.7 Develop contingency plans to allow for problems during network changes

3. Apply short and long term solutions

3.1 Implement software changes according to planned strategy

3.2 Develop short-term ad hoc solutions where only a temporary solution is required

3.3 Ensure reversal action can be initiated in cases of temporary solutions

3.4 Implement contingency plan where required

3.5 Undertake monitoring of changes and take measurements to assess outcomes of variations

3.6 Prepare a report based on analysis of measurements for appropriate personnel with recommendations for further changes or actions

3.7 Review and monitor strategies regularly and initiate corrective action where required

4. Detect and take action on potential traffic congestion

4.1 Measure and analyse traffic loads to assess potential congestion problems and determine possible impact

4.2 Control traffic flow to prevent processor overloads

4.3 Evaluate potential traffic increases for impact on the network and develop contingencies to control traffic flow if required

5. Provide traffic indicators for capacity planning

5.1 Predict future potential traffic trends and requirements using data on current and historical traffic patterns

5.2 Identify potential network traffic problems and make recommendations to network planners

5.3 Complete reports with recommendations and forward to enterprise planners and account managers

Evidence of ability to:

implement a contingency plan

conduct traffic measurements

develop contingencies to control traffic flow

identify potential network traffic problems and make recommendations

provide information for capacity planning.

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:

explain customer policies and service level agreements

outline network management planning principles

summarise traffic blocking, congestion and dimensioning principles

explain traffic engineering

summarise traffic patterns

outline transmission type and signals that may be encountered

clarify typical network topologies, switching, routing and transmission techniques

summarise various network management systems suitable for conducting traffic evaluations.

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

a network and equipment for traffic monitoring and management

equipment and systems manuals, specifications and enterprise policy.

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
Interrogate network alarms to identify areas of route and circuit unavailability 
Assess planned and unplanned outages to determine network unavailability and verify restoration times 
Interrogate system to identify traffic status using network management system 
Analyse system alert to identify real and potential traffic problems 
Analyse customer complaints and traffic measurement data to identify network problems 
Activate and deactivate semi-permanent controls active in the network on a regular basis to simulate irregular traffic 
Conduct traffic measurements across all identified routes 
Analyse results including historical data to make assessment of traffic volume requirements 
Determine specific thresholds, loading and grading levels to alter traffic flows 
Liaise with personnel to determine amendments to plan, based on funding parameters and budgeted levels 
Develop strategies, based on traffic analysis and patterns, to control traffic and prevent congestion or other traffic problems 
Develop strategies for recovery where traffic congestion occurs 
Develop contingency plans to allow for problems during network changes 
Implement software changes according to planned strategy 
Develop short-term ad hoc solutions where only a temporary solution is required 
Ensure reversal action can be initiated in cases of temporary solutions 
Implement contingency plan where required 
Undertake monitoring of changes and take measurements to assess outcomes of variations 
Prepare a report based on analysis of measurements for appropriate personnel with recommendations for further changes or actions 
Review and monitor strategies regularly and initiate corrective action where required 
Measure and analyse traffic loads to assess potential congestion problems and determine possible impact 
Control traffic flow to prevent processor overloads 
Evaluate potential traffic increases for impact on the network and develop contingencies to control traffic flow if required 
Predict future potential traffic trends and requirements using data on current and historical traffic patterns 
Identify potential network traffic problems and make recommendations to network planners 
Complete reports with recommendations and forward to enterprise planners and account managers 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTTEN603 - Undertake network traffic management
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

ICTTEN603 - Undertake network traffic management

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: