This unit applies to frontline technical support personnel who are required to maintain network continuity through changing requirements.
Not applicable.
1. Assess network features | 1.1 Determine organisational policies and administration arrangements used to administer the network 1.2 Determine the type of network operating system (NOS) and interfaces used by the existing network and potential compatibility issues caused by integration of other networks 1.3 Identify the risks associated with administration of a network to minimise the loss of data or service during operations 1.4 Determine network administration tools that can be used with the NOS to manage network performance and enforce organisational policies |
2. Administer and support the system using administration interfaces | 2.1 Use interfaces to format hard drives, set up security restrictions and establish user log-in information to administer a basic network 2.2 Use administration tools to develop a map of system interaction to determine the data required by particular users and how often the data is accessed 2.3 Examine existing applications and software and plan required upgrades or reconfigurations to new system or applications 2.4 Test reconfiguration for successful interface with existing system to ensure compatibility |
3. Set up and manage the network file system | 3.1 Create a required file and folder structure using appropriate administration and system tools 3.2 Set the security, access and sharing of file system to meet user requirements 3.3 Identify and implement the virus protection requirements for the network in line with organisational procedures 3.4 Test and document the file system to ensure that appropriate access is available to the user groups according to organisational standards |
4. Administer user services and user accounts | 4.1 Determine the user services required, and implement using the appropriate administration and system tools 4.2 Create users and groups as required to facilitate user security and network access according to user authorisation 4.3 Verify successful access by users to authorised network data and resources, and record outcomes 4.4 Set or modify user settings to ensure compliance with security and access policies 4.5 Review procedures and take action to ensure that users who are no longer part of the organisation have their accounts disabled, deleted or modified |
5. Provide and support backup security | 5.1 Scan and clean the network of viruses before performing backup of the network 5.2 Determine security risks to which data is exposed and provide appropriate prevention methods and recovery processes 5.3 Report identified security risks to appropriate person 5.4 Implement systems to provide backup and service restoration capability in the event of a disaster according to organisational policies 5.5 Document and disseminate the disaster-recovery procedures |
Required skills
analytical skills to:
determine NOS types and compatibility issues
determine risks associated with administration of a network
communication skills to:
inform clients of technical procedures
liaise with clients and team members across different levels and in different contexts
undertake active listening with clients and team members
use open-ended questioning techniques
literacy skills to:
document created file system
document disaster-recovery procedures
interpret organisational policies
planning skills to plan upgrades and reconfigurations to new systems or applications
technical skills to:
administer and configure NOS
identify security gaps and secure with appropriate hardware and software
implement systems to provide backup and service restoration capability
monitor user accounts according to organisational policy
perform compatibility testing after upgrade or reconfiguration
scan and clean the network of viruses before backup
test successful access by users to authorised network data and resources
test the file system access.
Required knowledge
antivirus software, its operation, installation and update procedures
current industry standard NOS
facilities available in the operating environment
features and capabilities of networking technologies
implementation of network security in a local area network (LAN):
file and folder permissions
users and group settings
monitoring aspects of network performance or traffic:
system administration tools
third-party tools.
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: use network administrative tools to carry out system administration tasks manage the network file system create the network configuration required by the client provide user services and user accounts provide backup and service restoration capability. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: user network requirements antivirus software network administration tools a live network with a representative range of networked environments and operating systems a server technical records, organisational policies, access policy and documentation appropriate learning and assessment support when required modified equipment 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: direct observation of candidate: managing a network using network administration and system tools performing virus scans, virus removal and virus updates review of organisational backup schedules created verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of the facilities available in the operating environment. |
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 non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
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.
Organisational policies may include: | diagnostic how and what the organisation will operate maintenance OHS security user enrolment. |
Network may include: | data embedded systems LAN personal digital assistant (PDA) radio frequency identification (RFID) network smartphones internet virtual private network (VPN) voice network wide area network (WAN) wireless network. |
Network operating system may include: | embedded OS: digital media players PDAs robots routers smartphones: Android BlackBerry Symbion Windows CE Fabric or XPATH OS by Brocade JunOS by Juniper Networks Linux Mac Open Enterprise Server or Netware by Novell SAN-OS by Cisco Windows Server OS. |
System may include: | application servers billing system computers file servers financial system information system management system network printer server software storage system user management system. |
Users may include: | departments within an organisation persons within a department third parties. |
Applications may include: | database programs email programs internet browsers multimedia applications spreadsheets voice applications word-processing. |
Software may include: | commercial customised in-house programming: assembler compiler development tools system: computer security device drivers operating system. |
File system may include: | folder structures multiple or single logical disks and complex directory multiple or single servers. |
User settings may include: | log-in passwords security usernames. |
Backup may include: | more comprehensive and complex backup facilities across the network simple single tape-unit backup. |
Security risks may include: | file and folder sharing open or free networks operating system vulnerability: service packs security updates social engineering theft trojan horses unauthorised access: adware hackers identity fraud malware phishing spyware viruses web browser risks worms. |
Prevention methods may include: | anti-spam software anti-spyware antivirus software ensuring proper security certificate are used: secure socket layer (SSL) file encryption firewalls password best practice: change frequency complexity of password construction password confidentiality re-use use user awareness and education wireless encryption: wi-fi protected access (WPA and WPA2) wired equivalent privacy (WEP). |
Appropriate person may include: | network administrator network manager supervisor system administrator. |
Networking
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.