Assessor Resource

ICTWEB424
Evaluate and select a web hosting service

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine a client’s current and future internet service providers (ISPs) needs.

It applies to individuals working in information and communications technology (ICT) who take responsibility for comparing and evaluating internet service provider (ISP) services, and are technically adept and proficient communicators, with a broad knowledge of internet technologies.

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. Select the ISP

1.1 Review comparable characteristics of a range of hosting services

1.2 Review the client usage, and ensure that email and mailing list services are flexible enough, to meet current and future business needs

1.3 Review the support service standards, to ensure that they meet the business needs

1.4 Ensure that the ISP hosting service has sufficient data capacity to cover partial outages

1.5 Determine the availability of security technologies

1.6 Determine the availability of scripting languages

1.7 Evaluate optional server applications for advanced web business functions

1.8 Confirm the client selection criteria, and select the ISP hosting service that best matches the criteria

2. Ensure guarantee of a permanent online presence

2.1 Establish that the web-hosting service has systems in place to monitor server performance and availability

2.2 Negotiate the escalation procedures and performance standards with the ISP

2.3 Establish that the security and backup procedures are articulated, and that they meet business needs

3. Ensure that the web host meets the technical requirements

3.1 Take action to ensure that the operating system supports the preferred business development software, applications, extensions and databases

3.2 Establish that the web-host servers support dynamic websites, using the preferred business technologies

3.3 Establish that the web host provides current, and future, disk space requirements

3.4 Establish that site-analysis reports are available, and are flexible enough to meet business needs

3.5 Establish that security systems and payment technologies, meet business and customer expectations, and requirements

4. Benchmark performance and test it against specified criteria

4.1 Test the performance of the ISP during on and off peak times, and record the outcomes

4.2 Establish that email and mailing services have backup procedures in place, and are protected from damage, erasure or unwanted damage

4.3 Take action to ensure that the support services perform according to business needs

Evidence of the ability to:

assess client needs for the current and future needs of the business

select an internet service provider (ISP)

evaluate the web hosting service by ensuring that:

the price meets the client’s budgetary requirements

the security and technical requirements of the business are met

comply with the client benchmarks, and test

monitor the performance of the ISP during on and off peak times.

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:

outline different web hosting service provision options, and their scalability

discuss internet security issues

explain the operating systems used by ISPs

summarise performance expectations from customers and end users

outline server technologies

summarise web hosting services, and performance benchmarks.

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 website technologies field of work, and include access to:

hosting plans, prices and service agreements

the current technology underpinning the ISP, and the services offered

a business plan, outlining the future directions for the business.

Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.


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. Select the ISP

1.1 Review comparable characteristics of a range of hosting services

1.2 Review the client usage, and ensure that email and mailing list services are flexible enough, to meet current and future business needs

1.3 Review the support service standards, to ensure that they meet the business needs

1.4 Ensure that the ISP hosting service has sufficient data capacity to cover partial outages

1.5 Determine the availability of security technologies

1.6 Determine the availability of scripting languages

1.7 Evaluate optional server applications for advanced web business functions

1.8 Confirm the client selection criteria, and select the ISP hosting service that best matches the criteria

2. Ensure guarantee of a permanent online presence

2.1 Establish that the web-hosting service has systems in place to monitor server performance and availability

2.2 Negotiate the escalation procedures and performance standards with the ISP

2.3 Establish that the security and backup procedures are articulated, and that they meet business needs

3. Ensure that the web host meets the technical requirements

3.1 Take action to ensure that the operating system supports the preferred business development software, applications, extensions and databases

3.2 Establish that the web-host servers support dynamic websites, using the preferred business technologies

3.3 Establish that the web host provides current, and future, disk space requirements

3.4 Establish that site-analysis reports are available, and are flexible enough to meet business needs

3.5 Establish that security systems and payment technologies, meet business and customer expectations, and requirements

4. Benchmark performance and test it against specified criteria

4.1 Test the performance of the ISP during on and off peak times, and record the outcomes

4.2 Establish that email and mailing services have backup procedures in place, and are protected from damage, erasure or unwanted damage

4.3 Take action to ensure that the support services perform according to business needs

Evidence of the ability to:

assess client needs for the current and future needs of the business

select an internet service provider (ISP)

evaluate the web hosting service by ensuring that:

the price meets the client’s budgetary requirements

the security and technical requirements of the business are met

comply with the client benchmarks, and test

monitor the performance of the ISP during on and off peak times.

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:

outline different web hosting service provision options, and their scalability

discuss internet security issues

explain the operating systems used by ISPs

summarise performance expectations from customers and end users

outline server technologies

summarise web hosting services, and performance benchmarks.

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 website technologies field of work, and include access to:

hosting plans, prices and service agreements

the current technology underpinning the ISP, and the services offered

a business plan, outlining the future directions for the business.

Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.

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
Review comparable characteristics of a range of hosting services 
Review the client usage, and ensure that email and mailing list services are flexible enough, to meet current and future business needs 
Review the support service standards, to ensure that they meet the business needs 
Ensure that the ISP hosting service has sufficient data capacity to cover partial outages 
Determine the availability of security technologies 
Determine the availability of scripting languages 
Evaluate optional server applications for advanced web business functions 
Confirm the client selection criteria, and select the ISP hosting service that best matches the criteria 
Establish that the web-hosting service has systems in place to monitor server performance and availability 
Negotiate the escalation procedures and performance standards with the ISP 
Establish that the security and backup procedures are articulated, and that they meet business needs 
Take action to ensure that the operating system supports the preferred business development software, applications, extensions and databases 
Establish that the web-host servers support dynamic websites, using the preferred business technologies 
Establish that the web host provides current, and future, disk space requirements 
Establish that site-analysis reports are available, and are flexible enough to meet business needs 
Establish that security systems and payment technologies, meet business and customer expectations, and requirements 
Test the performance of the ISP during on and off peak times, and record the outcomes 
Establish that email and mailing services have backup procedures in place, and are protected from damage, erasure or unwanted damage 
Take action to ensure that the support services perform according to business needs 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTWEB424 - Evaluate and select a web hosting service
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

ICTWEB424 - Evaluate and select a web hosting service

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: