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.

IP network may include:
integrated network
internet
intranet
local area network (LAN)
router-based network
switch-based network
VPN
WAN
WLAN.
Network testing and monitoring tools may include:
applications, services or systems monitor
bandwidth tester
connection speed
fingerprinting monitor
flow monitor
latency calculator
mapping tools
network:
connectivity
monitor
security monitor
simulator
packet capture and analyser
packet tracer
path characterisation
protocol analyser
sniffer or analyser
simple network management protocol (SNMP) tools
voice over internet protocol (VoIP) monitors.
Strategies may include:
use of internetwork operating system (IOS) tools
use of vendor-recommended software and hardware:
Apple
Billion
Cisco
Juniper Networks.
Routing protocols may include:
external border gateway protocol (EBGP)
enhanced interior gateway routing protocol (EIGRP)
open shortest path first (OSPF)
routing information protocol (RIP).
Router configurations may include:
dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)
link control settings
network address translation (NAT)
usernames and passwords.
IOS services may include:
auto-upgrade manager (AUM)
embedded event management (EEM)
flexible netflow
file transfer protocol (FTP)
hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)
identity-based network services (IBNS)
IOS firewall
IP service level agreement (IPSLA)
network-based application recognition 2 (NBAR2)
network time protocol (NTP)
performance routing (PfR)
remote copy or rate control protocol (RCP)
service advertisement framework (SAF)
web services management agent (WSMA).
Advanced services may include:
internet protocol TV (IPTV)
video
voice over internet protocol (VoIP)
wireless.
Switch configuration may include:
spanning tree
switch virtual interface (SVI)
virtual LAN (VLAN).

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 monitor IP networks for performance and reliability
evaluate, design and implement a troubleshooting structured plan
use network testing and monitoring tools
produce a maintenance plan for monitoring routing protocols and configurations
implement tests of advanced network solutions.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
site where complex network installation may be conducted
hardware and software
organisational guidelines
computers
LAN and WAN systems, including voice and video hardware and software
appropriate learning and assessment support when required
modified equipment for people with special needs.
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 installing, configuring and testing a new or updated network
evaluation of documentation prepared by the candidate outlining testing procedures, test results, recommendation to network changes and completion records
verbal or written questioning of required knowledge.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.
In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.