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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to use complex technical data to develop network designs

communication skills to consult with customers

literacy skills to

interpret technical documentation

numeracy skills to

take test measurements

interpret results

evaluate performance and interoperability of network services

problemsolving skills to solve a range of predictable network problems

research skills to identify analyse and evaluate broad features of a particular business domain and best practice in networking technologies including hardware and software to be installed

technical skills to

implement dynamic name system DNS IP addressing and secure virtual private network VPN tunnels

install and configure application software to provide specific services

install configure and secure server operating systems

install configure and secure switches and routers

integrate multiple network services without conflict

set up and use network monitoring and management tools

test network functionality

Required knowledge

firewall configuration

IP addressing and network configuration

loadbalancing for applications

server operating systems

service configuration including

dynamic host configuration protocol DHCP

file transfer protocol FTP

network time protocol NTP

server messages block SMB

service management

troubleshooting tools and techniques including network diagnostic utilities

user authentication and directory services

Evidence Required

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

design and implement a complex network that involves integrating multiple network services to meet business requirements

design and implement an appropriate security strategy for a complex network

monitor and test the performance of aspects of the solution

provide ongoing management and support of the network

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

network design and business requirements documents

a complex network or hardware and software required to build a network involving multiple servers multiple physical locations or simulation of and a combination of network services

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

Where applicable physical resources should include equipment modified 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

review of report that outlines design process undertaken including challenges faced and how these were addressed

direct observation of the candidate installing and configuring components of a complex network

technical documentation detailing configuration of the complete network

verbal or written questioning of candidate to assess required skills and knowledge

evaluation of report that outlines testing procedures test results and changes made as a result of testing

evaluation of system designed and implemented in terms of performance and suitability for business needs

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 nonEnglish speaking background may need additional support

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge

Range Statement

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 components may include:	cables digital subscriber line (DSL) modems local area network (LAN) modems routers servers switches WAN wireless access point.
Network services may include:	database service DHCP DNS FTP firewall hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP, HTTPS) internet message access protocol (IMAP) network file system (NFS) NTP post office protocol (POP) print services proxy SMB simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) simple network management protocol (SNMP) transmission control protocol or internet protocol (TCP/IP).
Network resources may include:	backup and data security business applications collaboration tools conferencing data storage databases email internet services printers, faxes and scanners streaming video VoIP.
Security strategy may include:	automated updates: Red Hat Network (RHN) Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) encryption Firewall - demilitarised zone (DMZ) proxy public key infrastructure (PKI) and secure socket layer (SSL) certificates secure remote access server hardening smart cards tokens user authentication virus checking VPN.
Tools may include:	cable testing carrier connection tests data and voice integration measurements equipment testing frequency analysers network performance software packet tracers policing and shaping tools.
Data management services may include:	backup and recovery disk quotas distributed file systems indexing online and offline storage storage area networks (SANs).
Integrate multiple network services may include:	Kerberos lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) Samba seamless access to Linux and Windows hosted data and services single login to gain access to multiple services (federated authentication) VoIP over VPN.