Modification History
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Release |
Comments |
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Release 1 |
This Unit first released with ICA11 Information and Communications Technology Training Package version 1.0 |
Unit Descriptor
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to evaluate and select an appropriate hosting service for current and future business needs.
Application of the Unit
This unit applies to information technology (IT) personnel who take responsibility for comparing and evaluating internet service provider (ISP) services.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.
Pre-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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Element |
Performance Criteria |
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Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
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1. Select ISP |
1.1 Review comparable characteristics of a range of hosting services 1.2 Review client usage and ensure that email and mailing list services are flexible enough to meet current and future business needs 1.3 Review support service standards to ensure they meet business needs 1.4 Ensure ISP hosting service has sufficient data capacity to cover partial outages 1.5 Determine availability of security technologies 1.6 Determine availability of scripting languages 1.7 Evaluate optional server applications for advanced web business functions 1.8 Confirm client selection criteria and select ISP hosting service that best matches the criteria |
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2. Ensure guarantee of permanent online presence |
2.1 Establish that web-hosting service has systems in place to monitor server performance and availability 2.2 Negotiate escalation procedures and performance standards with ISP 2.3 Establish that security and backup procedures are articulated and meet business needs |
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3. Ensure that web host meets technical requirements |
3.1 Take action to ensure that operating system supports the preferred business development software, applications, extensions and databases 3.2 Establish that web-host servers support dynamic websites using the preferred business technologies 3.3 Establish that web host provides current and future disk space requirements 3.4 Establish that site-analysis reports are available and flexible enough to meet business needs 3.5 Establish that security systems and payment technologies meet business and customer expectations and requirements |
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4. Benchmark performance and test against specified criteria |
4.1 Test performance of the ISP during on and off peak times and record outcomes 4.2 Establish that email and mailing services have backup procedures in place and are protected from damage, erasure or unwanted damage 4.3 Take action to ensure support services perform according to business needs |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.
Required skills
- analytical skills to:
- determine appropriate pricing and services plan for the business
- evaluate and compare web-hosting services
- communications skills to:
- establish client requirements
- negotiate escalation procedures and performance standards with ISP
- numeracy skills to assess pricing plans
- planning skills to identify future business needs
- technical skills to assess security systems and technical requirements.
Required knowledge
- different web hosting service provision options and their scalability
- internet security issues
- operating systems used by ISPs
- performance expectations from customers and end users
- server technologies
- web hosting services and performance benchmarks.
Evidence Guide
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.
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Evidence of the ability to:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment must ensure access to:
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs. |
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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:
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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. |
Range Statement
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.
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Characteristics may include: |
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Security technologies may include: |
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Scripting languages may include: |
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Server applications may include: |
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Server may include: |
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Operating system may include: |
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Databases may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Web
