This unit applies to frontline technical support personnel responsible for connecting, maintaining and administering peripheral devices attached to networks.
Not applicable.
1. Install peripherals to a network | Plan the location of peripherals to provide appropriate services to users and to take into consideration OHS standards Connect peripherals to network, using vendor-approved method and technology Connect peripherals to computers in the network using parallel, serial or other direct connection methods Add peripheral accessories or upgrades to printer, such as memory or high-volume paper trays Test peripherals for correct operation |
2. Configure peripheral services to manage peripherals | Install software required to manage local and network-connected peripherals Use meaningful names for peripherals and control queues Configure security and access to allow appropriate users to make use of peripherals Configure workstation for peripherals to allow applications to work with peripherals |
3. Administer and support peripheral services | Assign priority to control queues Use peripheral management software supplied as part of the network operating system (NOS) or by third parties Create templates for use on the network Configure settings on the network to create maintenance schedules, usage logs, and cost-centre usage statistics Demonstrate to the user the methods for using peripheral services from their application or workstation |
4. Maintain peripherals and fix common problems | Establish and follow a regular maintenance schedule as recommended by peripheral manufacturer Replace consumables and components when required Fix peripheral mishaps and malfunctions Monitor peripheral usage and traffic and recommend additional peripherals if needed Determine failures of peripheral services or devices and rectify as required |
Required skills
analytical skills to determine failures of peripheral services or devices
communication skills to:
demonstrate use of peripheral services to users
discuss network issues with clients and team members
educate users about the causes of network problems and how to minimise their recurrence
liaise with clients and team members across different levels and in different contexts
literacy skills to:
follow a regular maintenance schedule as recommended by peripheral manufacturer
use meaningful names when configuring the peripheral device's name or new profile
planning skills to plan the installation of peripherals
problem-solving skills to:
fix peripheral mishaps and malfunctions
rectify failures of peripheral services or devices
technical skills to:
administer peripheral services
configure network settings
configure security and access for users
install software
replace components
test peripherals for correct operation
use peripheral management software
use the peripheral device's logging or monitoring features to monitor the health of the peripheral.
Required knowledge
configuration of peripherals for network use
current industry standard network peripherals
general construction and operation of peripheral devices to facilitate troubleshooting.
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: plan and install peripherals, and connect to network and test operation manage the use of peripheral services with workstations maintain networked peripherals according to a maintenance schedule rectify faulty peripheral services or devices. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: range of peripherals network administration tools live network with a representative range of networked client server environments and operating systems technical records, organisational policies 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 the use of peripheral services with workstations rectifying faulty peripherals maintaining networked peripherals verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of networked peripherals review of network peripheral entries prepared by candidate. |
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.
Peripherals may include: | Bluetooth device Firewire (IEEE 1394) device keyboard laptop mobile phone modem mouse multimedia kit pen personal digital assistant (PDA), such as palmtop printer scanner speaker tape cartridge touch pad universal serial bus (USB) device wireless fidelity (wi-fi) router. |
Users may include: | departments within an organisation persons within a department third parties. |
OHS standards may include: | electrical safety ergonomics in the workplace: correct posture style and adjustments of chair type of desk type of monitor working position length of time in front of computer lighting level placement of light fittings repetitive strain injury (RSI) prevention safe lifting methods ventilation. |
Network may include: | data local area network (LAN) private lines the internet use of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for dial-up modems only voice virtual private network (VPN) wide area network (WAN). |
Printer may include: | ink jet laser network. |
Software may include: | commercial customised in-house programming: assembler compiler development tools system: computer security device drivers operating system. |
Applications may include: | database programs email programs internet browsers spreadsheets system browsers word-processing. |
Network operating system may include: | Linux Mac multi-user capability operating system Novell NetWare 5 or above Windows 2000 or above. |
Consumables may include: | disks: CD DVD ink cartridges toner cartridges. |
Components may include: | CD and DVD drives central processing unit (CPU) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) battery fax or modem cards interface cards motherboards motherboards power supply random access memory (RAM). |
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.