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.

Organisational policies may include:
diagnostic
how and what the organisation will operate
maintenance
OHS
security
user enrolment.
Network may include:
data
embedded systems
LAN
personal digital assistant (PDA)
radio frequency identification (RFID) network
smartphones
internet
virtual private network (VPN)
voice network
wide area network (WAN)
wireless network.
Network operating system may include:
embedded OS:
digital media players
PDAs
robots
routers
smartphones:
Android
BlackBerry
Symbion
Windows CE
Fabric or XPATH OS by Brocade
JunOS by Juniper Networks
Linux
Mac
Open Enterprise Server or Netware by Novell
SAN-OS by Cisco
Windows Server OS.
System may include:
application servers
billing system
computers
file servers
financial system
information system
management system
network
printer server
software
storage system
user management system.
Users may include:
departments within an organisation
persons within a department
third parties.
Applications may include:
database programs
email programs
internet browsers
multimedia applications
spreadsheets
voice applications
word-processing.
Software may include:
application
commercial
customised
in-house
programming:
assembler
compiler
development tools
system:
computer security
device drivers
operating system.
File system may include:
folder structures
multiple or single logical disks and complex directory
multiple or single servers.
User settings may include:
log-in
passwords
security
usernames.
Backup may include:
more comprehensive and complex backup facilities across the network
simple single tape-unit backup.
Security risks may include:
file and folder sharing
open or free networks
operating system vulnerability:
service packs
security updates
social engineering
theft
trojan horses
unauthorised access:
adware
hackers
identity fraud
malware
phishing
spyware
viruses
web browser risks
worms.
Prevention methods may include:
anti-spam software
anti-spyware
antivirus software
ensuring proper security certificate are used:
secure socket layer (SSL)
file encryption
firewalls
password best practice:
change frequency
complexity of password construction
password confidentiality
re-use
use
user awareness and education
wireless encryption:
wi-fi protected access (WPA and WPA2)
wired equivalent privacy (WEP).
Appropriate person may include:
network administrator
network manager
supervisor
system administrator.

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:
use network administrative tools to carry out system administration tasks
manage the network file system
create the network configuration required by the client
provide user services and user accounts
provide backup and service restoration capability.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
user network requirements
antivirus software
network administration tools
a live network with a representative range of networked environments and operating systems
a server
technical records, organisational policies, access policy and documentation
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 candidate:
managing a network using network administration and system tools
performing virus scans, virus removal and virus updates
review of organisational backup schedules created
verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of the facilities available in the operating environment.
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.