Technical staff who upgrade systems and equipment in customer networks and core and access networks apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

They are involved in maintenance, upgrades and cut overs of emerging technologies in IP based telecommunications networks.

Relevant jobs roles include a supervisor in charge of installation and maintenance teams responsible for the new installations and upgrades of telecommunications networks.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for the upgrade activity

1.1. Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards for compliance when conducting work

1.2. Notify customer for site access, security arrangements and location details of equipment for upgrade

1.3. Identify site hazards and notify appropriate personnel to make site safe

1.4. Prepare an upgrade plan against work order and seek approval from customer

1.5. Organise system back up from support personnel

1.6. Obtain tools and test equipment and check for accuracy and safety

1.7. Allocate specific tasks according to the skill mix of staff involved

1.8. Run test plan on current equipment and identify and rectify problems in consultation with planners

1.9. Complete functional testing of new systems and equipment prior to upgrade to minimise system downtime

1.10. Analyse test results to predict compatibility and interoperability issues of equipment and systems prior to the upgrade work

2. Undertake upgrade

2.1. Implement upgrade according to design specification following occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements

2.2. Follow procedures for upgrade of network in sequential order as defined in instruction manuals

2.3. Monitor progress of upgrade periodically to ensure that plans in relation to time and duration are being met

2.4. Notify planner of problems encountered with detail as to the impact of the problem on the upgrade plan

2.5. Abort upgrade and implement contingency plan should an upgrade plan not be realised without major disruption to network

2.6. Monitor system response during upgrade and take action according to instructions provided

3. Test upgrade for acceptance

3.1. Undertake tests according to the predetermined test plan

3.2. Analyse test results and verify against specified performance levels

3.3. Escalate problems encountered according to enterprise policy

3.4. Invoke reversion procedure to pre-upgrade state, if directed by planners, according to enterprise policy

3.5. Record upgrade test results and provide to network management group

3.6. Run post-upgrade routines according to documented procedures

4. Monitor post-upgrade performance

4.1. Conduct ongoing tests to ensure success of upgrade

4.2. Monitor relevant alarms to measure impact of upgrade

4.3. Review customer complaints to assess impact of upgrade on customer satisfaction

5. Finalise administrative work and clean up worksite

5.1. Complete relevant work documentation and administrative tasks according to enterprise policy

5.2. Amend site records to show upgraded equipment layout

5.3. Organise customer training in the new or modified system

5.4. Clean up and restore site to customer satisfaction

5.5. Collect and dispose of waste material and debris according to environmental requirements

5.6. Declare asset ready for use

5.7. Notify customer of upgrade job completion to obtain sign off of work order and present with a copy of documentation

Required skills

analytical skills to evaluate impact of upgrades on customer equipment and systems

communication skills to:

provide advice and guidance to others and to liaise with other technical staff on operational matters

respond to customer complaints

literacy skills to read and interpret:

contingency plans

enterprise procedures, manuals and specifications

technical data, technical and non-technical information from a range of sources

test results

numeracy skills to interpret technical data

PC skills to monitor installed software

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

prepare upgrade plan

troubleshoot common equipment and network problems

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards

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:

analyse the impact of applications on traffic flow in the network

determine customer requirements

determine the impact of upgrading hardware and software on network functionality

identify the technical requirements, constraints and manageability issues for a given customer network requirement

implement upgrade of equipment and software

use test equipment and monitoring tools

use tools and equipment to assemble and disassemble equipment

Required knowledge

alarms

backup systems

upgrades and post-upgrade routines

computer knowledge

escalation and outage procedures

network management systems

overview knowledge of telecommunications networks and equipment

telecommunications monitoring tools

telecommunications test equipment and test set-ups

telecommunications wiring practices

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

analyse the implications of hardware and software upgrade on the remainder of the network

plan and identify the components of the upgrade process

prepare an upgrade plan and organise system backup

run test plan and analyse test results

implement upgrade and monitor progress of upgrade periodically using both vendor and enterprise specific monitoring tools

implement contingency plan

escalate problems encountered according to enterprise policy

analyse alarms and alarm conditions

review customer complaints to assess impact of upgrade.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

site where upgrade may be conducted

use of equipment, software, test and monitoring equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory, equipment, enterprise and vendor documentation that impacts on work activities.

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 performing upgrade

direct observation of the candidate performing tests and monitoring alarms

review of documents prepared by the candidate providing upgrade plan and assessing impact of upgrade taking into consideration customer feedback

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of upgrade, testing and monitoring procedures.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN4073A Cut over customer premises equipment major upgrades

ICTTEN4086A Undertake routine maintenance of the telecommunications 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.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM)
Volume 1

AS/NZS 3000:2007

AS/NZS 3080:2003

AS/NZS 3084:2003

AS/NZS 3085.1:2004

AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006

AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007

cabling security codes and regulations

Environmental Protection Acts

OHS Acts

technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.

Customer may be:

asset manager

contractor

network planner

nominated customer representative

project manager

service provider.

Equipment may include:

Core and Access network:

cellular mobile network

dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network

gateway router

IP-Core Network

mesh network

multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) router

network server

optical network

satellite network

switching equipment

transmission equipment

worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) network

customer network:

alarms systems

IP private branch exchange (PBX)

IP PBX server

IP security systems

Internet protocol TV (IPTV)

LAN:

data switch

router

server

network management addition

PBX

session initiation protocol (SIP)-enabled UC system

video conferencing equipment

voice over internet protocol (VoIP) gateway

WiMAX CPE.

Upgrade may include:

network capacity upgrade

network major software upgrade

network services upgrade

network technology upgrade

system integration.

Hazards may include:

building debris

earth potential rise (EPR):

event at a site, such as an electrical distribution substation, may expose telecommunications personnel, users or plant to hazardous voltages

glass fibre

live power lines

manual handling

mud and water

natural gas and other gas build up

optical fibre cable may contain hazardous light

radio frequency (RF) equipment emitting radiation

remote power feeding services which operate at above telecommunications network voltage (TNV)

vermin.

Upgrade plan may include:

access and security arrangements

after hours access

contingencies

contingency plans

customers communication priorities

customers communications needs

downtime

installation of backup equipment

provision of temporary services

test plans

testing procedures

timing and disruption to services.

Support personnel may include:

help desk

IT support

network operations support

vendor backup.

Test equipment may include:

communication testers

frequency analysers

microwave link analysers

network analyser

protocol analyser

spectrum analysers

traffic analyser

transmission measuring sets.

Test may include:

ability to make and receive a call

configuration tests

diagnostic tests

programme checks

routing tests

software tests

switching tests

traffic measurement test

transmission tests.

Upgrade work may include:

commission of new system

installation of new additional equipment

installation of new software

integration of new equipment into existing system

provision of temporary service

removal of redundant equipment

test on new system.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement

identifying other services, including power and gas

personal protective clothing:

earmuffs

gloves

head protection

kneepads

masks

protective suits

safety boots

safety glasses

safe working practices, such as the safe use and handling of:

asbestos

chemicals

materials

tools and equipment

work platforms

special access requirements

suitable light and ventilation

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

stormwater protection

waste management.

Progress of upgrade may include:

rate of deliverables against project timeline

risk management

timing.

Contingency plan may:

be developed as part of the upgrade planning and design

be escalated and referred to more specialist team

invoke partial upgrade to be continued at later stage

invoke reversion procedure to pre-update condition.

Documentation may include:

configuration details

implementation and testing procedures

network impact statement

software test results

system updates

test results and recommendations

upgrade details

vendor, equipment and enterprise specific details.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.