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.
Hardware may include but is not limited to:
workstations
personal computers
modems and other connectivity devices
networks
DSL modems
remote sites
servers
Network may include but is 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
voice
Services may include:
newsgroups
email
file transfer protocol facilities
multimedia
conferencing
general access to internal website HTML files
Servers 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
Software may include but is not limited to:
commercial software applications
organisation-specific software
packaged software
in-house or customised software
Databases may include:
Oracle
Sybase
Microsoft SQL Server
Ingres
DB2
Informix
mSQL
MySQL
SQL server
Threats may include:
eavesdropping
manipulation
impersonation
penetration
denial of service and by-pass
hackers
viruses

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

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)
Context of and specific resources for assessment
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.

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.

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