Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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 capacity
LAN topology support (e.g. Ethernet, AppleTalk, Token Ring, FDDI)
port bandwidth capabilities (e.g. 100 megabits per second)
hardware reliability
expandability (e.g. number of available uplink ports)
redundant power supply (AC/DC)
Topology may include:
ring
star
bus
hierarchical
hybrid
Switch produced by the following vendors:
Accton
Cisco
DLink
Intel
3Com
NetGear
System 3000 Ethernet
Bay
Computer may include:
laptops
workstations
servers
other devices
Peripherals may include but are not limited to:
Printers, scanners, tape cartridges
Speakers, multimedia kits
Personal computer fax, modems
Input equipment may include mouse, touch pad, keyboard, pens
Mobile phones, palmtops and personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops and desktop computers
Bluetooth devices, universal serial bus (USB), Firewire (IEEE 1394)
User may include:
a person within a department
a department within the organisation
a third party
Cable may include but is not limited to:
UTP
STP
fibre
Standard may include:
EIA/TIA 568A
EIA/TIA 568B

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 following is essential:
Assessment must confirm the ability to install switches without the network losing connectivity or failing.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require access to:
Switches
Network devices
Workstations and servers
Cabling
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Setting up switches is an important task for most organisations and with a diverse range of switches, care should be taken to ensure security is managed effectively.

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.

Assessment must ensure:
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.
Method of assessment
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.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICAA5144B Determine best-fit topology for a local network
ICAI5174B Install high-end switches in multi-switched local area networks
ICAI5176B Install and configure router

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

Additionally, an individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge in a well-developed range of switch configurations
Apply solutions to a variety of switch-related problems
Interpret and apply available technical and network information