SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Support a local area computer network

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114043	Support a local area computer network
ORIGINATOR
SGB Information Systems and Technology
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences			Information Technology and Computer Sciences
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2018-07-01	2023-06-30	SAQA 06120/18
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30		2029-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

This unit standard is intended for people responsible for the provision of day-to-day network administration and support, including resolution of network user problems, data backup and restore, production of network performance statistics, provision of network diagnostic information, and site surveys in a local area network (LAN) environment:

As fundamental knowledge of the areas covered,

For those working in the Information Technology industry in the area of Network Administration,

As additional knowledge for those wanting to understand the areas covered.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:

Maintain the performance of a local area computer network (LAN);

Execute procedures on a LAN;

Administer security, maintain the supply of consumables, and plan capacity for a LAN;

Maintain the availability of a LAN, and

Manage changes to a LAN.
The performance of all outcomes is to a standard that allows for further learning in this environment.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Open. The credit value of this unit standard is calculated assuming a person has the prior knowledge and skills to apply the principles of administering local and wide area networks.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

A "local area computer network" (LAN) is a single network of personal computers within the same area, e.g. an office or building.
"Procedures" are programmes of computer operating commands.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Maintain the performance of a local area network.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Monitoring and tuning of the network ensures operation and performance meets the manufacturer`s and organisation specifications.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Network performance problems are resolved according to organisation specifications.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Accurate and up-to-date documentation is maintained of network resource utilisation.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Execute procedures on a local area computer network.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The execution ensures that computer output is produced according to organisation specifications.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Procedure messages are identified during execution, and actions are taken according to organisation specifications.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Problems with procedures are identified, and action is taken according to organisation specifications.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Potential improvements to procedures are identified, and action is taken according to organisation specifications.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Startup and shutdown of the network are in accordance with the manufacturer`s and organisation specifications.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Administer security systems for a local area network.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Security exposures and violations are identified, and action is taken according to organisation policies, procedures and requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Back-ups are made according the organisations policies, procedures and specifications.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Access to the network is provided according to organisation policies, procedures and specifications.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Maintain the supply of consumables for a local area network.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. A forecast of the consumption of computer system consumables is justified using measurement of historical consumption and anticipated events.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Supply agreements are established and maintained so that the consumable supplies are available to meet demand.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Stocks of consumable supplies meet forecasted demand.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Overstocks of consumable supplies are avoided.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5

Plan capacity for a local area network.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The plan includes a forecast based on documentation of current network resource utilisation, historical growth and future plans.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The plan includes recommendations for network changes that allow the network to meet the future capacity requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The plan identifies and explains the feasibility of the recommendations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The plan includes a comparison of actual resource usage with forecast usage according to organisation requirements.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6

Maintain the availability of a local area network.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The network is available and accessible according to organisation requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Network availability problems are resolved according to organisation specifications.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7

Manage changes to a local area network.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The management ensures that a plan of a proposed change predicts the impact and risks to the organisation associated with the change.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The management ensures that a plan of a proposed change establishes when the change should occur to minimise the impacts and risks.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The management includes a contingency plan that allows the network to be restored to a status acceptable to the user in the event of problems with the change.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Testing establishes the success of the installation and of the changes according to user and organisation requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. The plan ensures that people affected by the change are notified to minimise disruption to their activity.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

The relevant Education and Training Quality Authority (ETQA) must accredit providers before they can offer programmes of education and training assessed against unit standards.

An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner`s competency.

Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.

All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.

Assessment procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.

Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.

Examination of an assessment portfolio.

Reporting skills are demonstrated by effective communication, using verbal (language) and/or writing skills.

Direct observation in simulated or actual work conditions.

Moderation Process:

Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures

Moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

Familiar with Networking and Communications. The planning and management of the interaction between two or more networking systems, computers or other "intelligent" devices. E.g.: ISDN, ATM, Ethernet, TCP/IP.

Familiar with Operating Infrastructure. Knowledge of the ICT infrastructure (hardware, databases, operating systems, local area networks etc) used within own organisation.

Aware of Telecommunications Protocols. Rules for the inter-operation of networking components. E.g.: TCP/IP, Q931, DASS, QSIG, xDSL.

Aware of Network Traffic Analysis. Methods and techniques for the capture of traffic information and the analysis of this information into its constituent elements.

Familiar with Desktop Software. The use of everyday desktop software. E.g.: word processing, spreadsheets, graphics.

Aware of Report Writing Techniques. Methods and techniques for writing effective reports.

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Identify and solve problems in which responses display decisions using critical and creative thinking by acquiring understanding of a problem or situation by breaking it down systematically into its component parts and identifying the relationships between these parts.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and/or community by working co-operatively (rather than competitively) with others to achieve a common goal.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information by identifying gaps in the available information required to understand a problem or situation and devising means of remedying such gaps.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of organ and/or written presentation by establishing relationships and maintaining contacts with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by applying quality standards to all tasks undertaken and ensuring that nothing is overlooked.

UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

1. Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with organisation standards and procedures, unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: quality assurance, documentation, security, communication, health and safety, and personal behaviour. An example of the standards expected is the standards found in ISO 9000 Certified Organisations.

2. Performance of all elements is to be completed within the normal range of time that would be expected in a professional environment, e.g. in a commercial or government organisation.

3. Performance of all elements is to be within the normal range of cost, or cost estimate, that would be expected in a commercial environment.

4. Performance of all elements complies with the laws of South Africa, especially with regard to copyright, privacy, health and safety, and consumer rights.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Elective	48573	National Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Support	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	MICTS

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	Affirmations Training
2.	Africa Learn (Pty) Ltd
3.	Afrika Tikkun NCC
4.	Amilak Training Center
5.	ATTI Nelspruit Pty Ltd
6.	Atvance Institute (Pty) Ltd
7.	Balefile Trading and Services
8.	BEE Clinic Pty Ltd
9.	Bells Technical College
10.	Brainwave Projects 1430 cc
11.	Careers IT
12.	Columbus Consulting Pty Ltd
13.	CTU Training Solutions
14.	Delight Computer Training
15.	EAST LONDON MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
16.	Ekasi IT Solutions Centre
17.	Elchees Software Solutions
18.	Epitome Villa (Pty)Ltd
19.	EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD
20.	Facilitation Development (PTY) LTD
21.	Finweb Business Consultancy
22.	Foster-Melliar (Pty) Ltd
23.	Fourways Private College
24.	Global Institute for Capacity
25.	HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY
26.	Hlanganani ICT (Pty) Ltd
27.	Ikusasalethu Youth Development Project NPC
28.	Information Technology Resource Centre
29.	IT Academy
30.	Jeppe College of Commerce and
31.	K Boneng Consulting Services P
32.	KT Mobile Services
33.	LETAGO DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING
34.	MBOWA COLLEGE PTY LTD
35.	Metanoia Ratings PTY LTD
36.	MMELA VILLAGE TECHNOLOGIES (PT
37.	Mogapi Education Group (Pty) Ltd
38.	Moving Ahead Development Agenc
39.	Mufuka Business and Technical
40.	Natfin Holdings Pty Ltd
41.	NCC - Vereeniging
42.	Nolwazi Stem Education for The
43.	Ntandokazi Holdings Pty Ltd
44.	Nyathela Business College
45.	On the Ball College Pty ltd
46.	OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT
47.	Paramixed Pty Ltd
48.	Polokwane Technology Institute (Pty) Ltd
49.	Pretoria Technical College
50.	Progressive School of Business
51.	Prophesy Training College (Pty) Ltd
52.	QUALITATIVE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
53.	QUARPHIX (PTY) LTD
54.	Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd
55.	Rostec Technical FET College (Pty) Ltd
56.	Silulo Ulutho Technologies
57.	SIYAFUNDA COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY CENTRE NPC
58.	Spears Business and Life Couch Consulting (Pty) Ltd
59.	Spina Consultancy
60.	SUCCESS BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL CC
61.	SUPREME ICT CONSULTANTS
62.	Techtisa (pty) Ltd
63.	Terry Computer Services cc
64.	Think Tank T2 (Pty) Ltd
65.	Titan Trade Technologies
66.	Tlou Foundation College
67.	TORQUE TECHNICAL COMPUTER TRAINING PTY LTD
68.	TSP COLLEGE
69.	Ukwazi Academy and Corporate S
70.	Umbusi Consulting Services
71.	Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd
72.	Visionary Skill Academy
73.	VSS College (Pty) LTD
74.	Vukani Solutions
75.	VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING
76.	Wellinkwise Pty Ltd
77.	Whitestone College
78.	Woosh Consultants (Pty) Ltd
79.	Working Solution International
80.	Xylo Trading 12 (Pty) Ltd
81.	YITRO INNOVATIONS
82.	ZA WIT (PTY) LTD