Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to install and set up orchestration services to manage the lifecycle of containers in large dynamic environments, using platforms for running multiple containers in production.
The unit applies to those working as senior computer systems architects, senior system administrators and those who work in DevOps roles, and responsible for installing, running and coordinating containerised applications, to provide flexible, scalable, predictable, available and sustainable services.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Establish and set up container orchestration services (COS) | 1.1 Assess business specifications, application and business needs for container orchestration services (COS) with required personnel 1.2 Obtain and review infrastructure requirements and technical specifications for using container technologies according to business needs 1.3 Research and select suitable vendor (COS) software according to business needs 1.4 Install COS on host computer or virtual machine 1.5 Add host computers/virtual machines/nodes using COS 1.6 Select and promote node to manage and host all nodes 1.7 Set up and confirm group of nodes run as required |
2. Configure containers | 2.1 Add different types of images/containers to the service 2.2 Name and move containers as required 2.3 Create pod/swarm and run container in pod 2.4 Configure scaling policy according to business need 2.5 Use instrumentation to configure scaling in and out according to business needs 2.6 Test and confirm container set up, function of containers and required resources 2.7 Finalise and create user documentation according to business needs |
3. Test and maintain container service | 3.1 Configure load tester to port 3.2 Register containers to central point 3.3 Use load balancer to retrieve container requests 3.4 Test requests and ensure load testing works as required |
4. Manage containers according to business need | 4.1 Experiment with different volumes of traffic to sites 4.2 Monitor and record metrics 4.3 Add and delete containers as required according to CPU, RAM, network traffic readings and business need 4.4 Set up container trigger alarms according to metrics and business needs 4.5 Create user documentation according to business need 4.6 Report metrics and business impact with required personnel |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:
configure container orchestration services on at least two host computers or virtual machines
create and manage at least two containers using at least three different metrics to measure requests and traffic data.
In the course of the above, the candidate must:
confirm clusters scale out and in required by demand changes and business needs
document work.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:
features and functions of operating systems
continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment methodology, processes and principles
network protocols including:
network communications protocol
TCP/IP (transmission control)
internet protocol
tools and features of registries, command line interface and text editor
software development life cycle (SDLC)
basic principles of container orchestration services:
pods/swarms
nodes
services
virtual machines and containers
container dependencies
basic principles of:
computer hardware, networking, operating system, database management systems, cloud solutions and components
applications
database-management systems
open-source development tools
HTTP
organisational business needs relating to the use and deployment of containers, including cost constraints
data flow charts applicable to installing and configuring container orchestration services
data and metrics of user traffic to sites and applications, including:
RAM (random access memory)
CPU
Network traffic
different methods of monitoring services, including:
manually
different organisational levels of responsibility relating to application functions.
Assessment Conditions
Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.
This includes access to:
the internet, including connectivity
required hardware, software and applications
vendor products relating to containerisation technology
container orchestration service
load testing application
text editor
user command interface (command prompt).
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
Reading | Critically analyses documentation, instructions and data from a variety of sources and records, and consolidates information, in order to determine requirements and steps forwards Identifies and interprets technical material to determine and confirm job, business and systems requirements |
Writing | Demonstrates sophisticated writing skills using specialised language, technical language and scripts and required conventions to create workplace documents |
Planning and organising | Researches, plans and sequences complex tasks, efficiently and effectively |
Problem solving | Applies systematic and analytical decision- making processes for complex and non-routine situations and bug code Uses nuanced understanding of context to recognise anomalies and subtle deviations to normal expectations, focusing attention and remedying problems as they arise in containers as well as in projects and wider systems |
Self-management | Monitors progress of plans and schedules, and reviews and changes them, to meet new demands and priorities Investigates new and innovative ideas, as a means by which to continuously improve, work practices and processes through consultation, formal and analytical thinking |
Technology | Uses complex scripts and tools required within complex systems, applications, operation systems, the internet and required software and hardware components Uses cyber security procedures and techniques to maintain data security, and systems and application integrity |
Sectors
Systems administration