Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

ICTNPL406 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Evaluate core network architectures

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ICTNPL406 - Evaluate core network architectures
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess roles and evaluate benefits of competing core network architectures. Core networks use convergent internet protocol (IP) based technologies with conventional technologies.It applies to individuals with a range of telecommunications skills and extensive knowledge of core and access network capabilities of the service provider, and prepares them for entry level planning and design for network additions and implementations to accommodate network growth and new technologies within the industry. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

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 Telecommunications – Network Planning field of work and include access to:

network design documentation

site-related documentation

equipment specifications

live network or training facilities

organisational guidelines

networked computers

networked telecommunications components.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Evaluate basic IP network architecture
  • Produce a layout of the topology of an IP network showing network elements and application of the 7-layer open system interconnect (OSI) model
  • Determine purpose of routers and switches and use of routing protocols
  • Determine different types of generic resiliency and redundancy that can be applied in network architectures and when they should be applied
  • Evaluate benefits of IP networks compared to circuit-based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks
       
Element: Evaluate synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) transport architectures
  • Produce a layout of the topology of SDH transport networks showing structure and role of rings in the networks
  • Determine purpose of SDH switching and its function within the transport architecture
  • Assess key capacity and distance limitations in SDH networks
  • Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within SDH transport networks
  • Evaluate compatibility of SDH transport architectures with other transport architectures
       
Element: Evaluate broadband architectures
  • Produce a layout of the topology structure of the asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) edge network and the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) cable edge network in providing broadband access to customer
  • Determine purpose of point-to-point protocol (PPP) and function of the digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), broadband remote access server (BRAS) and layer2 network protocol network server (LNS) in the ADSL network
  • Assess arrangement of carrier channels connecting the HFC cable customer
  • Determine the function of the CMTS and the purpose of DOCSIS, and key capabilities of its different versions in the HFC network
  • Assess resiliency considerations for ADSL and HFC cable network architectures
  • Evaluate benefits of providing cable broadband access to wireless broadband from a network security aspect
       
Element: Evaluate data architectures
  • Produce a layout of the topology of key structures of a data network showing the IP network and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) structures
  • Determine the purpose of internal and external routing protocols in an IP network outlining reasons for the creation of a virtual private network (VPN)
  • Determine the purpose of label distribution protocol (LDP) in an MPLS network
  • Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within data networks
  • Evaluate compatibility of IP and MPLS networking
       
Element: Evaluate metropolitan ethernet architectures
  • Produce a layout of the topology structure of a metropolitan ethernet network showing optimum siting of the ethernet switch
  • Determine types and limitations of the varieties of ethernet transmission
  • Assess scaling limitations of ethernet networks
  • Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within metropolitan ethernet networks
  • Evaluate the need for creation of virtual local area networks (VLAN) in metropolitan ethernet architecture for improved performance
       
Element: Evaluate voice architectures
  • Produce a layout of the topology of a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) network and a wireless voice network showing the network elements
  • Determine the function of local exchange and transit exchange switches in the public switched telephone network (PSTN)
  • Determine the function of a secure broadband connection (SBC) and the purpose of session initiation protocol (SIP) in wireless networking
  • Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be applied in design of voice networks
  • Evaluate benefits of VoIP networks compared to circuit based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks
       
Element: Evaluate media and content architectures
  • Determine structure, elements and purpose of hosting networks in data centres and a content distribution network
  • Evaluate the impact of high speed broadband for wide deployment of media and content architectures
       
Element: Prepare evaluation report
  • Assess compatibility and interoperability of competing core network architectures
  • Prepare an evaluation report outlining core network solutions using emerging technologies
       


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 basic IP network architecture

1.1 Produce a layout of the topology of an IP network showing network elements and application of the 7-layer open system interconnect (OSI) model

1.2 Determine purpose of routers and switches and use of routing protocols

1.3 Determine different types of generic resiliency and redundancy that can be applied in network architectures and when they should be applied

1.4 Evaluate benefits of IP networks compared to circuit-based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks

2. Evaluate synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) transport architectures

2.1 Produce a layout of the topology of SDH transport networks showing structure and role of rings in the networks

2.2 Determine purpose of SDH switching and its function within the transport architecture

2.3 Assess key capacity and distance limitations in SDH networks

2.4 Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within SDH transport networks

2.5 Evaluate compatibility of SDH transport architectures with other transport architectures

3. Evaluate broadband architectures

3.1 Produce a layout of the topology structure of the asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) edge network and the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) cable edge network in providing broadband access to customer

3.2 Determine purpose of point-to-point protocol (PPP) and function of the digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), broadband remote access server (BRAS) and layer2 network protocol network server (LNS) in the ADSL network

3.3 Assess arrangement of carrier channels connecting the HFC cable customer

3.4 Determine the function of the CMTS and the purpose of DOCSIS, and key capabilities of its different versions in the HFC network

3.5 Assess resiliency considerations for ADSL and HFC cable network architectures

3.6 Evaluate benefits of providing cable broadband access to wireless broadband from a network security aspect

4. Evaluate data architectures

4.1 Produce a layout of the topology of key structures of a data network showing the IP network and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) structures

4.2 Determine the purpose of internal and external routing protocols in an IP network outlining reasons for the creation of a virtual private network (VPN)

4.3 Determine the purpose of label distribution protocol (LDP) in an MPLS network

4.4 Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within data networks

4.5 Evaluate compatibility of IP and MPLS networking

5. Evaluate metropolitan ethernet architectures

5.1 Produce a layout of the topology structure of a metropolitan ethernet network showing optimum siting of the ethernet switch

5.2 Determine types and limitations of the varieties of ethernet transmission

5.3 Assess scaling limitations of ethernet networks

5.4 Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within metropolitan ethernet networks

5.5 Evaluate the need for creation of virtual local area networks (VLAN) in metropolitan ethernet architecture for improved performance

6. Evaluate voice architectures

6.1 Produce a layout of the topology of a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) network and a wireless voice network showing the network elements

6.2 Determine the function of local exchange and transit exchange switches in the public switched telephone network (PSTN)

6.3 Determine the function of a secure broadband connection (SBC) and the purpose of session initiation protocol (SIP) in wireless networking

6.4 Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be applied in design of voice networks

6.5 Evaluate benefits of VoIP networks compared to circuit based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks

7. Evaluate media and content architectures

7.1 Determine structure, elements and purpose of hosting networks in data centres and a content distribution network

7.2 Evaluate the impact of high speed broadband for wide deployment of media and content architectures

8. Prepare evaluation report

8.1 Assess compatibility and interoperability of competing core network architectures

8.2 Prepare an evaluation report outlining core network solutions using emerging technologies

Evidence of ability to:

determine first three layers of the open system interconnect (OSI) model

determine the role of switches and routers in the core network and different types of routing protocols

evaluate synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) switching and transmission and its ability to create resiliency in the network through various redundant configurations

evaluate benefits, purpose and structure of ADSL networks and other broadband products

determine and compare data networks with specific reference to internet protocol (IP) and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS)

evaluate the most important routing protocols of internal and external MPLS and the resilience built into them

evaluate limitations of an ethernet network and how VLAN can be incorporated in them

compare various voice protocols

determine the purpose of various hosting in data centres and media and distribution platforms.

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 the following features of core network architectures:

client business domain, business function and organisation

networking technologies

theoretical concepts of three or more current industry network development and design methodologies

transmission technologies and protocols

outline MPLS and IP architectures across a core network environment

outline current industry-accepted hardware and software products

identify and describe relevant protocols, such as routing information protocol (RIP), enhanced interior gateway routing protocol (EIGRP), open shortest path first (OSPF), and border gateway protocol (BGP) operations

identify VLANs and VPN tunnels and describe how they may be implemented in an ethernet/MPLS environment.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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 basic IP network architecture

1.1 Produce a layout of the topology of an IP network showing network elements and application of the 7-layer open system interconnect (OSI) model

1.2 Determine purpose of routers and switches and use of routing protocols

1.3 Determine different types of generic resiliency and redundancy that can be applied in network architectures and when they should be applied

1.4 Evaluate benefits of IP networks compared to circuit-based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks

2. Evaluate synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) transport architectures

2.1 Produce a layout of the topology of SDH transport networks showing structure and role of rings in the networks

2.2 Determine purpose of SDH switching and its function within the transport architecture

2.3 Assess key capacity and distance limitations in SDH networks

2.4 Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within SDH transport networks

2.5 Evaluate compatibility of SDH transport architectures with other transport architectures

3. Evaluate broadband architectures

3.1 Produce a layout of the topology structure of the asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) edge network and the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) cable edge network in providing broadband access to customer

3.2 Determine purpose of point-to-point protocol (PPP) and function of the digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), broadband remote access server (BRAS) and layer2 network protocol network server (LNS) in the ADSL network

3.3 Assess arrangement of carrier channels connecting the HFC cable customer

3.4 Determine the function of the CMTS and the purpose of DOCSIS, and key capabilities of its different versions in the HFC network

3.5 Assess resiliency considerations for ADSL and HFC cable network architectures

3.6 Evaluate benefits of providing cable broadband access to wireless broadband from a network security aspect

4. Evaluate data architectures

4.1 Produce a layout of the topology of key structures of a data network showing the IP network and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) structures

4.2 Determine the purpose of internal and external routing protocols in an IP network outlining reasons for the creation of a virtual private network (VPN)

4.3 Determine the purpose of label distribution protocol (LDP) in an MPLS network

4.4 Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within data networks

4.5 Evaluate compatibility of IP and MPLS networking

5. Evaluate metropolitan ethernet architectures

5.1 Produce a layout of the topology structure of a metropolitan ethernet network showing optimum siting of the ethernet switch

5.2 Determine types and limitations of the varieties of ethernet transmission

5.3 Assess scaling limitations of ethernet networks

5.4 Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within metropolitan ethernet networks

5.5 Evaluate the need for creation of virtual local area networks (VLAN) in metropolitan ethernet architecture for improved performance

6. Evaluate voice architectures

6.1 Produce a layout of the topology of a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) network and a wireless voice network showing the network elements

6.2 Determine the function of local exchange and transit exchange switches in the public switched telephone network (PSTN)

6.3 Determine the function of a secure broadband connection (SBC) and the purpose of session initiation protocol (SIP) in wireless networking

6.4 Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be applied in design of voice networks

6.5 Evaluate benefits of VoIP networks compared to circuit based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks

7. Evaluate media and content architectures

7.1 Determine structure, elements and purpose of hosting networks in data centres and a content distribution network

7.2 Evaluate the impact of high speed broadband for wide deployment of media and content architectures

8. Prepare evaluation report

8.1 Assess compatibility and interoperability of competing core network architectures

8.2 Prepare an evaluation report outlining core network solutions using emerging technologies

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
Produce a layout of the topology of an IP network showing network elements and application of the 7-layer open system interconnect (OSI) model 
Determine purpose of routers and switches and use of routing protocols 
Determine different types of generic resiliency and redundancy that can be applied in network architectures and when they should be applied 
Evaluate benefits of IP networks compared to circuit-based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks 
Produce a layout of the topology of SDH transport networks showing structure and role of rings in the networks 
Determine purpose of SDH switching and its function within the transport architecture 
Assess key capacity and distance limitations in SDH networks 
Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within SDH transport networks 
Evaluate compatibility of SDH transport architectures with other transport architectures 
Produce a layout of the topology structure of the asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) edge network and the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) cable edge network in providing broadband access to customer 
Determine purpose of point-to-point protocol (PPP) and function of the digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), broadband remote access server (BRAS) and layer2 network protocol network server (LNS) in the ADSL network 
Assess arrangement of carrier channels connecting the HFC cable customer 
Determine the function of the CMTS and the purpose of DOCSIS, and key capabilities of its different versions in the HFC network 
Assess resiliency considerations for ADSL and HFC cable network architectures 
Evaluate benefits of providing cable broadband access to wireless broadband from a network security aspect 
Produce a layout of the topology of key structures of a data network showing the IP network and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) structures 
Determine the purpose of internal and external routing protocols in an IP network outlining reasons for the creation of a virtual private network (VPN) 
Determine the purpose of label distribution protocol (LDP) in an MPLS network 
Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within data networks 
Evaluate compatibility of IP and MPLS networking 
Produce a layout of the topology structure of a metropolitan ethernet network showing optimum siting of the ethernet switch 
Determine types and limitations of the varieties of ethernet transmission 
Assess scaling limitations of ethernet networks 
Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be used within metropolitan ethernet networks 
Evaluate the need for creation of virtual local area networks (VLAN) in metropolitan ethernet architecture for improved performance 
Produce a layout of the topology of a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) network and a wireless voice network showing the network elements 
Determine the function of local exchange and transit exchange switches in the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 
Determine the function of a secure broadband connection (SBC) and the purpose of session initiation protocol (SIP) in wireless networking 
Assess resiliency and redundancy techniques that can be applied in design of voice networks 
Evaluate benefits of VoIP networks compared to circuit based networks and the impact on modern telecommunications networks 
Determine structure, elements and purpose of hosting networks in data centres and a content distribution network 
Evaluate the impact of high speed broadband for wide deployment of media and content architectures 
Assess compatibility and interoperability of competing core network architectures 
Prepare an evaluation report outlining core network solutions using emerging technologies 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTNPL406 - Evaluate core network architectures
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