ICANWK526A
Install an enterprise virtual computing environment

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

Application

This unit applies to senior networking staff responsible for increasing the sustainability of an organisation by using virtualisation technologies.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Analyse client needs

1.1 Assess client requirements

1.2 Assess existing client or server systems that may be suitable to be virtualised

2. Analyse virtualisation host software

2.1 Assess and compare suitable virtualisation host software according to organisational requirements

2.2 Document recommendations and provide to appropriate person

3. Evaluate system requirements

3.1 Obtain and document technical specifications and system requirements from virtualisation-software vendors

3.2 Compare the system requirements needed to implement virtualisation according to organisational requirements

3.3 Document recommendations and provide to appropriate person

4. Install virtualisation host software

4.1 Install virtualisation host platform according to organisational requirements

4.2 Validate functionality of the virtualisation host platform according to organisational requirements

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

liaise with clients

convey and clarify information

initiative and enterprise skills to proactively minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

literacy skills to:

record researched information

develop and document virtualisation configurations and processes

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 solutions to problems involving virtualised machine environment

technical skills to apply current best practice to implementing 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

structure, function and business organisation of client

available tools and software applications required to manage virtual machines

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:

analyse, evaluate, recommend and install an enterprise virtual computing environment.

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

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:

current recommendations on sustainability options in ICT design

benefits of virtualisation

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.

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.

Client may include:

external organisation

individual

internal department

internal employee.

Systems may include:

servers

thin client terminals

workstations.

Host software may include:

Citrix XenServer

KVM

Microsoft Hyper-V Server

Microsoft Virtual PC

Microsoft Virtual Server

Oracle VM VirtualBox

parallels desktop for Mac

parallels server for Mac

VMware ESX Server

VMware ESXi Server

VMware Player

VMware Server

VMware VSphere

VMware Workstation

Windows Virtual PC.

Appropriate person may include:

authorised business representative

client

supervisor.

System requirements may include:

hard disk capacity and speed

minimum random access memory (RAM)

motherboard architecture

number of cores in central processing unit (CPU)

number of network interface cards

number of physical CPUs

speed of CPU

storage and hard disk interface requirements:

internet small computer systems interface (ISCSI)

redundant array of inexpensive or independent disks (RAID)

statistical analysis system (SAS)

small computer system interface (SCSI)

serial advanced technology attachment (SATA)

virtualisation technology at the central processing unit level (VT(x)) support.

Virtualisation software vendors may include:

Citrix

KVM

Microsoft

Oracle

Parallels

VMware.

Organisational requirements may include:

how and what the organisation wants regarding the work environment

preventative maintenance and diagnostic policy

problem-solving processes

roles and technical responsibilities in network management

vendor and product service level support agreements.

Functionality may include:

availability of services

virtualised services performing the same as a service running on physical hardware.


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.