ICANWK524A
Install and configure network access storage devices

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select, install and test a network access storage (NAS) device in a local area network (LAN).

Application

This unit addresses the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to install, configure and test a NAS device.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine specifications for NAS

1.1 Determine and document the topology of the LAN

1.2 Investigate and determine current and future storage requirements according to current and future business requirements

1.3 Determine the number and type of NAS devices required, and refer to current and future network requirements

1.4 Determine the requirements for network management, backup, security and redundancy, according to organisational policy

2. Select appropriate hardware and software

2.1 Select the hardware and operating system software version with the appropriate features according to required specifications

2.2 Choose storage applications to determine access and response times

3. Install hardware and software

3.1 Install required level of RAID hardware or software

3.2 Install hard disks as specified by manufacturer instructions

3.3 Install operating system software according to manufacturer instructions

3.4 Connect to network media using media that meets required standard

3.5 Connect power, power it up and check operation

4. Configure NAS

4.1 Configure a network address and hostname

4.2 Establish and test a valid network connection with other LAN devices

4.3 Configure hard disks according to RAID requirements and format with appropriate file system

4.4 Configure access and security according to application and organisational requirements

5. Test and troubleshoot NAS

5.1 Test NAS according to manufacturer requirements and organisational guidelines

5.2 Ensure access and response times are acceptable to required applications, users and organisational policy

5.3 Make adjustments to the configuration, depending on test and troubleshooting results

Required Skills

Required skills

literacy skills to:

conduct and document a wireless survey

develop a cut sheet or cabling map

document installed networks with appropriate labelling of cable terminations

technical skills to:

attach a network device to the LAN

configure a workstation or server within a network environment

implement and configure networks

install and configure operating system

install hard disk drives

open, edit and save word-processing documents

research skills to gather information to determine NAS requirements.

Required knowledge

overview knowledge of:

advantages and disadvantages of NAS versus direct attached storage (DAS) devices

Australian Computer Society Code of Ethics

common hard drive types and connectors

common network cable types and connectors

common network topologies

implementation and configuration of networks

RAID configurations.

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:

install NAS device without interruption to other LAN services

configure LAN services accessing the NAS to allow user-less intervention for normal operation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

NAS device or basic components to build a NAS, such as personal computer, operating system, hard disk, and network connection

network devices, such as switches and routers

workstations and servers

cabling access points and wireless access point

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 setup of NAS device

evaluation of NAS systems and vendor products

completion of a design of NAS setup for a network storage problem

analysis of NAS performance in different usage situations.

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.

Topology may include:

bus

hierarchical

hybrid

ring

star.

Storage requirements may include:

amount of data to be stored

minimum free space required

temporary storage space

type of data to be stored:

bit torrents

databases

streaming media

user data files

websites.

NAS may be:

built from basic components

produced by vendors:

Buffalo

Connex

D-Link

Hewlitt-Packard

LinkSys

NetGear

Network Appliance

Reldata

Seagate

Synology

Western Digital.

Operating system may include:

Citrix

HP-UX

IBM AIX

Linux variants:

ClarkConnect

Fedora

FreeNas

Naslite

OpenFiler

Red Hat

SME Server

Ubuntu

Mac

Microsoft Windows (client and server versions)

Novell SUSE Linux

Sun Solaris.

Applications may include:

deployment servers

domain controllers

file servers

gaming server

media server

print servers

structured query language (SQL) server

user workstations

web server.

Hard disks may include:

Firewire

parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA):

EIDE

IDE

serial advanced technology attachment (SATA)

eSATA

SAS

SCSI (multiple variations).

Media may include:

fibre optic

STP

UTP

wireless:

infra-red

radio

satellite.

Standard may include:

Cat5, 5e, 6 and 7

EIA/TIA 568A

EIA/TIA 568B

FDDI

IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g or n)

RJ45.

Network address may include:

IPX or SPX address

transmission control protocol or internet protocol (TCP/IP) address.

Hostname may include:

computer name

DNS name

NetBeui name.


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.