The unit applies to a home office or small business requiring the use of network and internetwork connectivity. It also applies to small networks with simple internet protocol (IP) addressing schemes that share a limited range of resources. Physical connections may be wired or wireless and simple firewall security employed.

Relevant job roles include installer of SOHO IP networks, network technician, SOHO network support and digital home integrator.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for the installation of a home or small office network

1.1. Prepare for given work confirming site specific occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements with appropriate personnel

1.2. Identify safety hazards and implement risk control measures in consultation with appropriate personnel

1.3. Determine nature and scope of the network and network resources from job briefs or appropriate personnel

1.4. Select and obtain personal computer system and network device requirements according to enterprise procedures

1.5. Obtain operating instructions, manuals, hardware and software testing methodologies

1.6. Consult appropriate personnel to ensure the task is coordinated effectively with others involved at the work site

2. Install and troubleshoot a home or small office network

2.1. Set up personal computer systems according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise procedures

2.2. Set up, configure and share network resources between network devices

2.3. Determine network addressing scheme for network connectivity and confirm using calculations

2.4. Troubleshoot network and internet connectivity according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise procedures

2.5. Identify security threats and initiate control measures according to enterprise procedures

3. Complete and document network installation

3.1. Restore worksite to safe condition according to established safety procedures

3.2. Record and store essential installation information according to enterprise procedures

3.3. Notify appropriate personnel about the completion of the task according to enterprise procedures

3.4. Notify customer and obtain sign off

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with customers and peers to achieve outcomes

literacy skills to read and interpret enterprise procedures, manuals and specifications

numeracy skills to interpret technical data and perform calculations to confirm network connectivity

planning and organisational skills to plan and prioritise own work

problem solving skills to:

deal with unexpected situations on the basis of safety and specified work outcomes

troubleshoot common network problems according to help desk procedures

safety awareness skills to:

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

follow enterprise OHS procedures

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

technical skills to:

configure the security features of a network to minimise risk of any security breach

correctly use tools and equipment

design a small computer network using appropriate protocols, tools and models to provide a specified range of services

develop a security policy for a small computer network

install, configure and maintain basic wired and wireless computer networks, systems and peripherals

plan, select, install and configure network operating systems

Required knowledge

correct usage of tools and equipment

enterprise OHS procedures

basic computer systems and network operating systems

computer networking principles (wired and wireless)

network addressing systems (basic)

network services and associated network models and protocols

network security management

troubleshooting procedures

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:

implement OHS workplace procedures and practices

plan the installation of an internet connected network

set up and configure wired and wireless networks with simple addressing schemes

troubleshoot network and internet connectivity

set up resource sharing

deploy simple firewall network security.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

a site where installation of a SOHO network may be conducted

use of tools, equipment and materials currently used in industry

relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Methods 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 the candidate installing and configuring a SOHO network

direct observation of the candidate deploying simple firewall network security

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of personal computer systems.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example with:

ICTTEN2208A Install and configure a small to medium business network.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

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.

OHS requirements may include:

awards provisions

hazardous substances and dangerous goods code

legislation

local safe operation procedures

material safety management systems

protective equipment.

Environmental requirements may include:

dust

excessive energy and water use

excessive noise

fume

gas

liquid waste

smoke emissions

solid waste

vapour.

Appropriate personnel may include:

customer/client

manager

network manager

site engineer

supervisor.

Network resources may include:

dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server

domain name system (DNS) server

files

software

web browser.

Personal computer system may include:

interface cards

media connections

operating system

PC hardware

peripheral devices.

Network device may include:

hub

network attached storage device

print server

router (wired or wireless)

switch.

Enterprise procedures may include:

instructions:

designs

drawings

job sheets

plans

manufacturer's specifications

operational procedures

reporting and communication

use of tools and equipment.

Network addressing scheme may include:

dynamic addressing

static addressing

sub-net addressing.

Calculations may include:

binary addition

binary conversion

binary division

binary multiplication

binary number system

binary subtraction.

Essential installation information may include:

installation software

IP addressing schemes

logical and physical diagrams

network administrator codes

passwords

security access codes.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.