Technical staff who work with wireless networking equipment or radio communications equipment apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to design a scalable wireless access network using mesh technology for growing communities.

This may include planning officers and field officers from private and public organisations.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Research wireless mesh networks and formulate the system architecture

1.1. Confirm with regulatory spectrum management authority the specific regulations regarding radio characteristics

1.2. Contact customer to determine wireless mesh network design specifications

1.3. Evaluate the use of frequency bands for the operation of the WMN

1.4. Evaluate and select the wireless technology, internet protocol (IP) version and mesh routing protocol to satisfy design criteria

1.5. Specify and source the hardware and software requirements

2. Prepare a detailed plan for the mesh network

2.1. Evaluate the maximum line of sight distances achievable between backbone nodes and between mesh nodes

2.2. Plan the sites where mesh nodes will be located and plot to scale on a map

2.3. Estimate the quantity and length of the links required between mesh nodes to ensure design is within specifications

2.4. Design backbone links in the mesh topology for scalability of future deployments

2.5. Select the location of the internet gateway for the network

2.6. Allocate operating frequencies at mesh nodes, backbone nodes and wireless access points for optimum network performance with minimal interference from adjacent network routers

3. Plan the IP addresses and subnet mask

3.1. Produce an addressing scheme and allocate IP addresses and subnet mask to mesh nodes, backbone nodes and access points

3.2. Produce a configuration scheme to secure the network

4. Document the mesh network

4.1. Document the plans and drawings for the mesh network

4.2. Produce an installation plan for the building of the mesh network

4.3. Following installation, configuration and testing of the mesh network, incorporate 'as built' amendments if appropriate

Required skills

analysis skills to evaluate information and make recommendations

communication skills to liaise with vendors and installation personnel on technical and operational matters

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation and write reports in required formats

numeracy skills to perform calculations, interpret results and evaluate different types of technical data

planning and organisational skills to plan, prioritise and monitor own work and that of others

problem solving and contingency management skills to adapt testing procedures to requirements of particular situations and modify activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

technical skills to:

configure and set up IP addresses and subnet masks

install software

select and specify appropriate performance tests and test equipment

Required knowledge

antenna gain, polarisation

cable loss

calculation of effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP)

calculation of line of site radio range

decibels and related units

IP addressing and subnet masks

network security and firewalls

network topologies

radio frequency (RF) frequency bands

routing protocols

transmission control protocol (TCP)-IP protocols

wireless networking hardware, access points, wireless routers and gateway

wireless protocols

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:

evaluate and select wireless technology and mesh routing protocol

plan a wireless mesh network from a project brief

produce an IP addressing scheme

prepare an installation plan.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites where planning a wireless mesh network may be conducted

design criteria and other site related documentation

equipment specifications and technical documentation.

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 the candidate planning a wireless mesh network

review of plan prepared by the candidate outlining recommendations for the customer

review of IP addressing scheme prepared by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment and technologies as used within the mesh network.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN4050A Install and configure a wireless mesh network

ICTRFN3055A Install a radio communications antenna and feedline.

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.

Specific regulations may include:

maximum allowable antenna gain

maximum allowable EIRP

maximum allowable power output for transmitter

use of the 2.4 GHz band

use of the 5.8 GHz band.

Wireless mesh network may include:

client wireless mesh network - client nodes perform routing

hybrid wireless mesh network - perform mesh and access functions

infrastructure wireless mesh network - mesh routers for the clients.

Frequency bands may include:

multiple frequencies for access and transmission

same frequency for access and transmission

separate frequencies for access and transmission.

Wireless technology may include:

802.11a

802.11b

802.11g

802.11n

802.11s draft IEEE 802.11 amendment

802.16.

Internet protocol (IP) may include:

IPv4

IPv6.

Mesh routing protocol may include:

ad-hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV)

better approach to mobile ad-hoc networking (BATMAN)

dynamic source routing (DSR)

hybrid wireless mesh protocol (HWMP)

infrastructure wireless mesh protocol (IWMP)

optimised link state routing protocol (OLSR).

Hardware and software requirements may include:

hardware:

access points

antenna polarisation

directional microwave antennas

omnidirectional microwave antennas

wireless routers

software:

open source software:

FreeBSD

Freifunk

proprietary.

Gateway may include:

asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL)

very small aperture terminal (VSAT).

Installation plan may include:

addressing scheme

configuration instructions and commands

frequency allocation plan

network element details:

MAC address

model, type and serial number

security implementation

siting of mesh routers and gateways

software version.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.