ICANWK402A
Install and configure virtual machines for sustainable ICT

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop and implement virtualisation technologies with the goal of providing a more sustainable information and communications technology (ICT) environment.

Application

This unit applies to those who work in the network area of organisations and are responsible for the use of virtual machines to increase sustainability.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Identify virtualisation benefits and features

1.1 Research and determine government and industry guidelines and policies for use of desktop and server virtualisation

1.2 Identify benefits of virtualisation of desktop and server environments

1.3 Identify available features of current virtualisation software

1.4 Select virtualisation solution based on current and future needs of the client

2. Install and configure virtualisation software

2.1 Identify, clarify and organise requirements of the client relating to virtualisation technologies, following organisational requirements

2.2 Identify the hardware and software, infrastructure components, required to be installed and configured to meet technical requirements

2.3 Install and configure software to provide support for virtualisation of desktop and server operating systems

2.4 Configure virtualisation software application features to accommodate required functionality, relating to client and business needs

3. Install and configure virtual machines

3.1 Install virtual machine consistent with client, commercial and business requirements

3.2 Configure virtual machine consistent with client, commercial and business requirements

3.3 Test functionality of installed virtual machine

4. Configure virtual networks of virtual machines

4.1 Configure IP addressing to match chosen network configuration

4.2 Configure virtual network as host only configuration

4.3 Configure virtual network as bridged configuration

4.4 Configure virtual network as network address translation (NAT) configuration

4.5 Configure services to operate under current network configuration

4.6 Test functionality of virtual network configuration

5. Back up and restore virtual machines

5.1 Back up virtual machine state on shutdown

5.2 Restore state on start-up of virtual machine

5.3 Back up virtual hard drive and software configuration files

5.4 Restore virtual hard drive and software configuration files

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

convey and clarify information

liaise with clients

literacy skills to:

develop and document virtualisation configurations and processes

record researched information

planning skills to plan methods for integrating and maintaining a virtualised machine environment

problem-solving skills to:

apply solutions in networks, including virtualised machine environments

deploy rapid deployment of solutions to problems involving virtualised machine environment

safety awareness skills to apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

technical skills to apply current best practice to implement sustainability options through virtualisation methodologies and technologies.

Required knowledge

overview knowledge of:

current government and industry policies and guidelines related to developing sustainable ICT environments

current technologies and processes designed to produce a sustainable ICT environment

detailed knowledge of:

available tools and software applications required to manage virtual machines

structure, function and business organisation of client

configuration of software applications required to manage virtual machines

configuration required to integrate virtual machines into existing network design.

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:

display knowledge of current sustainability practice related to ICT network design

develop, implement and maintain virtual machine environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

site or prototype where virtual machine environments may be implemented

network technical requirements

software tools to support implementation of virtual machines

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:

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of emerging policies related to:

current recommendations on sustainability options in ICT design

benefits of virtualisation

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of:

installation and configuration of virtualisation software

installation and configuration of virtual machines

configuration of virtual machines into network design

direct observation of candidate demonstrating:

installation and configuration of virtualisation software

installation and configuration of virtual machines

configuration of virtual machines into network design

review of documentation prepared by candidate to:

record research of current recommendations on sustainability options in ICT design and the benefits of virtualisation

record the process of installing and configuring virtual machines.

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.


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.

Government and industry may include:

Australian Computer Society

Australian government

Climate Savers Computing Initiative

state government

The Green Grid:

AMD

APC

Dell

HP

IBM

Intel

Microsoft

Sun Microsystems

VMware.

Virtualisation software may include:

KVM

Microsoft Virtual PC

Microsoft Virtual Server

Parallels Desktop for Mac

Sun Virtual Box

VMware

Xen.

Client may include:

external organisations

individuals

internal departments

internal employees.

Organisational requirements may include:

how and what the organisation wants in regard to work environment

preventative maintenance and diagnostic policy

problem-solving processes

roles and technical responsibilities in network management

vendor and product service level support agreements.

Hardware may include:

personal computers

servers

workstations.

Commercial and business requirements may include:

availability

backup and recovery of data

confidentiality

firewalls

hacking prevention

integrity

password logons

remote access to internal network.


Sectors

Networking


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

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.