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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Administer local area computer networks 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115053  Administer local area computer networks 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Audio-visual Media Production 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Communication Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  9 
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 will be useful to people who work in the broadcasting environment and need to use basic methods in broadcasting engineering to install, set-up, operate, fault find, maintain and repair broadcasting equipment. Specific broadcast equipment makes use of computer networks and it is increasing becoming an aspect where specialized skills in computing are required.

People credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Set-up user access to local area computer networks.
  • Resolve problems with local area computer networks.
  • Support clients of local area computer networks.
  • Maintain security systems for local area computer networks.
  • Create backups for local area computer networks.
  • Maintain good relations with clients and colleagues. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit value is based on the assumption that people starting to learn towards this unit standard are already competent in:
  • Computer hardware and software applications. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Set-up user access to local area computer networks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    User accounts are managed according to manufacturer's recommendations and specified user requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Access documentation is completed according to specified organization requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The explanation identifies management of local area computer networks. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Resource management, level of access for different categories of people, methods of controlling access and the purpose of an access audit trail.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Resolve problems with local area computer networks. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Network user problems, fileserver problems, performance problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Problems are resolved in accordance with the organisation's recommended procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Problem-related documentation is completed according to the organisation's recommended procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The explanation outlines performance issues in local area computer networks. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors effecting response times, the need to analyse data and identify problems, methods for improving the performance.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Support clients of local area computer networks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Advice on the use of the local area computer network is provided according to organizational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explanation distinguishes the roles and functions of different sources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Suppliers, third party professionals, local expertise.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The explanation outlines user expectations of a range of support options. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Suppliers, third party professionals, local expertise, product guarantees, software tools.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Maintain security systems for local area computer networks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Configuration changes are made to the security systems according to organisation requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Changes to the security systems are authorised and implemented according to organisation standards and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Changes to security systems maintain the integrity and security of system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Explanations outlines the symptoms and transmission of viruses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The explanation allows the selection of a method for the prevention, detection, and eradication of viruses for a situation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Create backups for local area computer networks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Backup plans and procedures are explained in terms of the organisation's requirement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Backup systems are implemented according to plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Backup procedures are followed according to specified organisation's requirement. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Maintain good relations with clients and colleagues. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Any uncertainties about the requirements are clarified with the client. Communication is clear and courteous. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Access times to systems are planned and negotiated successfully with all the role players ensuring least disruption in the workflow. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Interruptions to any existing services are only to the extent negotiated and agreed with the customers/clients. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant ETQA
    Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    Moderation Option:

    The moderation requirements of the relevant SETA's ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded Knowledge:
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Safety precautions and safe working practices.
  • Own responsibilities and accountabilities in the workplace.
  • Standards and procedures of the organisation.
  • Communication techniques when dealing with clients and colleagues.
  • Quality assurance of product and service delivery.
  • Documentation requirements and procedures.
  • Local area computer network management, performance and support issues.
  • Knowledge of Computer viruses. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking to take remedial action. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others (clients and colleagues) as a member of a team, group, organisation to achieve the required end-result. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves in the work areas and their activities responsibly and effectively to complete tasks within deadlines. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect and analyse computer network information and critically evaluate the effect of it on work performance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively (with clients and colleagues), using visual and / or language skills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology (computer network equipment and systems) effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment (work areas and venues) and health of others (clients and colleagues). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding that the world or work is a set of related systems and that problem-solving does not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriate, fair, manageable, integrated into work or learning, valid, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  48792   Certificate: Broadcast Engineering  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  60549   National Diploma: Aeronautical Information Management Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 


    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. Facilitation Development (PTY) LTD 
    2. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    3. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    4. SUPREME ICT CONSULTANTS 
    5. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 


    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.