This unit applies to technical staff dimensioning an IP-MPLS Core Network for a carrier or an internet service provider (ISP). MPLS and VPNs are used to provide secure, reliable and fast IP services in technology convergence of data, voice and video.

Relevant job roles include designer and installer of Next Generation Networks (NGN). These IP networks provide fast internet, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and internet protocol TV (IPTV) services.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and design a IP-MPLS network to meet business requirements

1.1. Determine the IP-MPLS network design requirements in consultation with enterprise customer

1.2. Optimise factors affecting design

1.3. Use label stacking to route MPLS packets in the network to build of MPLS services

1.4. Dimension layer-3 generation of core backbone to allow MPLS IP-VPN to provide MPLS convergence services

1.5. Use MPLS control plane to set up wavelengths

1.6. Produce the design topology of a MPLS network to include the location and types of edge label switch routers (LSR) and core LSRs in agreement with enterprise customer

2. Configure a MPLS network and verify traffic engineering (TE) considerations

2.1. Configure edge and core LSRs to provide secure methods of transporting IP packets in the MPLS network using layer 2 protocols

2.2. Configure the LSRs to provide toll bypass for convergence of voice and data over the IP network

2.3. Classify traffic in MPLS terms and configure the Edge LSR to sort traffic into forward equivalent classes (FECs)

2.4. Install and remove the two standardised signalling protocols for managing traffic engineering (TE) of MPLS paths

2.5. Configure the MPLS-TE to provide routing on diverse paths to avoid congestion and guarantee bandwidth services

3. Configure a VPN and provide a virtual private LAN service (VPLS)

3.1. Configure a MPLS VPN tunnel for a customer network to provide multipoint-to-multipoint VPN connectivity

3.2. Build a content hosting server into a MPLS based VPN to produce a media network

3.3. Use virtual private LAN services (VPLS) as a VPN method for wide area network (WAN) multipoint-to-multipoint Ethernet connectivity spanning across multiple metropolitan areas

3.4. Produce a VPLS topology using an internet protocol IP-MPLS cloud with provider edge (PE) routers connecting VPLS domains associated with enterprise customer

4. Complete documentation

4.1. Produce a final design plan including network elements, configuration details and recommendations for design changes

4.2. Notify customer and obtain sign off

Required skills

analytical skills to use complex technical data to develop network designs

communication skills to consult with customers

literacy skills to read and write reports

numeracy skills to use binary systems

project planning skills to set benchmarks and identify scope

problem solving skills to solve a range of predictable network problems

research skills to identify, analyse and evaluate broad features of a particular business domain and best practice in networking technologies including hardware and software to be installed

technical skills to:

deploy multipoint-to-multipoint VPLS domains via IP-MPLS cloud

implement and verify routing information protocol (RIP), enhanced interior gateway routing protocol (EIGRP), open shortest path first (OSPF) and border gateway protocol (BGP) operations

implement MPLS architecture across a WAN environment

implement secure VPN tunnels across the MPLS network

Required knowledge

current industry-accepted hardware and software products

network operating systems and cabling standards

networking technologies

the customer business, domain, function and organisation effect on customer requirements and network equipment

transmission technologies and 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:

plan and design a MPLS network that meets business requirements

configure and test the MPLS network according to specified guidelines

produce appropriate documentation

implement secure VPN tunnelling.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

a live network and networked computers

network design documentation, equipment specifications and organisational guidelines

network components, routers, switches and multi-layer switches.

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, designing and configuring a MPLS

review of documentation completed by the candidate

oral or written questioning of the candidate to assess required knowledge and skills.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN6216A Design and manage internet protocol TV in a service provider 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.

Network design requirements may include:

bandwidth

firewalls

gateway to wireless local area networks (WLAN)

multi-layer switches

number and type of core and edge routers

number of channels

protocols:

BGP

label distribution protocol (LDP)

OSPF

resource reservation protocol (RSVP)

quality of service (QoS)

security

servers

switches

throughput.

Enterprise customer may include:

banks

clubs

external organisations

hospitals

internal departments

teaching institutions.

Factors may include:

protocol incompatibility

QoS issues:

loss rate

latency

jitter

throughput

router availability.

MPLS services may include:

any transport over MPLS (AToM):

802.1Q - Ethernet VLAN

asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)

Ethernet

frame relay (FR)

high-level data link control (HDLC)

point-to-point protocol (PPP)

BGP MPLS VPN

Ethernet virtual circuit Ethernet over MPLS( EoMPLS) reroute link or node failure

link or node protection failure:

link resilience

node resilience

MVPN (multicast VPN)

QoS

traffic engineering:

bandwidth utilisation

capacity planning

congestion

virtual lines - toll bypass

VPLS.

MPLS convergence may include:

ADSL cable

enterprise VoIP

FR-ATM transport

internet access

IPTV

VPN.

Network may include:

data and voice

edge and core LSR

hosting servers for media content

internet

large and small LANs

national WANs

private lines

use of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for dial-up modems only

VPNs

wireless.

Layer 2 protocols may include:

ATM

Ethernet

FR

generic routing encapsulation (GRE)

packet over SONET (POS)

PPP.

Standardised signalling protocols may include:

CR-LDP

RSVP-TE.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.