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 Novell NetWare 5 or above or operating system that has multi-user ability: Linux 8.0, Mac OS X, Windows 2000 or above.

May include but is not limited to internal departments, external organisations, clubs, individual people and internal employees

May include but is not limited to workstations, personal computers, modems and other connectivity devices, printers, DSL modems, hard drives, monitors, switches, hubs, personal digital assistant (PDA) and other peripheral devices

May be in reference to the business, system, application, network or people in the organisation

May include file sharing, printer sharing, messaging, web services, network and remote access, database and data warehousing, directory services, management, line of business applications, terminal services.

May include but is not limited to work, activities, function or job.

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

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 Linux 8.0 or above, Windows 2000/Server 2003 or above, Apple OS X or above.

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

May include database programs, word processors, email programs, internet browsers, system browsers and spreadsheets.

May be in reference to the business, system, platform, application, database, network or people in the organisation

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

May include but is not limited to databases, applications, servers, operating systems, gateways, application service provider and ISP

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 confirm the ability to build, configure and test a server according to business needs and technical requirements.

Knowledge and skills
Single and multiple processors; memory (SD and RD RAM DDR, Registered RAM, memory leads, bandwidth); chassis (size, thermals, EMI specifications, security, drive bays, cable management, ease of maintenance, LED/LCD panels, aesthetics)
Disk drives and internal/external storage devices (RAID solutions and functionality, drive formats, back-up systems - DAT/DLT/AIT, storage area networks (SANs); load balancers
Power (supply requirements and management, protection - back-up/line conditioning/surge suppression, power budgeting); hot plug peripherals (PCI expansion cards, power supplies, hard drives, fans)
Ancillaries (racks, keyboard, monitor, cabinets, air flow)
Server design and network architecture
Ability to assemble computer components
Install and configure complex software packages
Basic logic process skills
Ability to deploy testing solutions at the system and component level
Liaising with vendors and service providers

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 components
Tools and equipment
Vendor specification and propriety software
Open source software

Role context
Servers form the backbone of the internet and are integral to contemporary business. Careful selection and use of appropriate servers should be considered a priority for all organisations.
A thorough knowledge of servers will assist in assuring competency and would cover a broad range of varied activities or application in a wider variety of contexts, most of which are complex and non-routine.
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

Additionally, an individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of server hardware and software incorporating future developments
Apply solutions to a defined range of server-related hardware and software problems
Identify and apply skill and knowledge to a wide variety of server-based solutions, with depth in some areas
Source and analyse information from a variety of sources
Take responsibility for outputs in relation to servers and configuration