Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

May include but is not limited to workstations, personal computers, modems and other connectivity devices, networks, DSL modems, remote sites, servers

May include but not limited to large and small LANs, national WANs, the internet, VPNs, the use of the PSTN for dial-up modems only, private lines, data and voice.

May include newsgroups, email, file transfer protocol facilities, multimedia, conferencing and general access to internal website HTML files

May include:
Application/web servers
BEA Weblogic servers
IBM VisualAge and WebSphere
Novell NDS servers
Email servers
File and print servers
FTP servers
Firewall servers
Proxy/cache servers

May include but is not limited to commercial software applications; organisation-specific software, packaged software, in-house or customised software.

May include Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, Ingres, DB2, Informix, mSQL, MySQL, SQL server

May include eavesdropping, manipulation, impersonation, penetration, denial of service and by-pass, hackers, viruses

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 of evidence
Assessment must verify knowledge of internet technologies and that internet technology (both hardware and software) is installed and configured correctly.

Knowledge and skills
Current and developing industry hardware and software (e.g. routers, servers, switches and modems), with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities (e.g. LAN or WAN application, network traffic management)
General knowledge of the organisation's business needs and functions
General understanding of LAN-based communications technologies
Knowledge of internet (WAN-based) technologies, with general understanding of features and capabilities, incorporating depth in some areas, for example, being able to consider the various WAN technologies when managing and supporting the internet (e.g. ADSL, ISDN, PRI (primary rate interface) and BRI (basic rate interface), ATM, frame relay, leased line)
General knowledge of OH&S requirements in relation to working in a safe manner; environmental aspects of work that is undertaken and basic and ergonomic considerations relating in particular to the workstation environment
Security knowledge, with broad understanding of general features and capabilities, with limited depth in some areas (e.g. when monitoring security and internet access
Broad knowledge of vendor product and vendor directions (e.g. when installing and configuring internet infrastructure to meet business requirements (e.g. current trends are self-configuring ADSL or cable modem-router-switches, however, these apply to the simpler LANs, such as SOHO (Small Office, Home Office), where LAN configurations are relatively simple)
Broad knowledge of open source options and software (e.g. Linux-based systems) as well as proprietary software (e.g. Microsoft based systems)
Communication skills in relation to dealing with clients and team members (e.g. when internet specifications are produced to meet client user requirements and budget constraints)
Basic report writing skills for business, including analysis and evaluation
Ability to create and use logs for examining and reporting, required to manage and support the internet service on the organisation's LAN
Problem solving skills involving participation of other users and management.
Basic research skills for identifying, analysing and evaluating broad features of a particular business and sound skills in internet security patching and monitoring
Questioning and active listening skills in relation to clients and team members
Ability to participate in project planning activities, in relation to scope, time, cost, quality, communications and risk management.

Assessment guidance
The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.
Competency in this unit should be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.
Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Resources

To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require access to:

Server hardware and software
Security policy guidelines
Networking hardware (e.g. switches, cables)

Role context
The choice of LAN/WAN technologies has increased notably in recent years. Two important aspects accompany these many alternatives: the affordable cost and the emerging trend to automated set-up predominantly for the home or small business market. This unit is geared for medium to large LAN/WAN designs rather than the automatic set-up approach and accordingly requires a more rigorous level of configuration. The breadth, depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills or knowledge applications across a broad range of technical and/or management requirements, evaluation and coordination would be characteristic.
The demonstration of competency may also require self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.
Applications involve participation in development of strategic initiatives as well as personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations or organising others. It may include participation in teams including teams concerned with planning and evaluation functions. Group or team coordination may also be involved.

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating theoretical concepts, with substantial depth in some areas
Analyse and plan approaches to technical problems or management requirements
Transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical or creative skills to a range of situations
Evaluate information, using it to forecast for planning or research purposes
Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad quantity and quality parameters
Take some responsibility for the achievement of group outcomes
Maintain knowledge of industry products and services