Modification History
Not Applicable
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to monitor, analyse and improve network performance for the purpose of effectively managing traffic flow in telecommunications networks. 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. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
Field officers, technicians or technical supervisors from carriers, contractors or other service providers apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to manage network traffic and make recommendations for capacity planning. This unit applies to switching and transmission networks from a carrier or service provider. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
||
Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Evaluate network capacity and traffic problems |
1.1. Interrogate network alarms to identify any areas of route and circuit unavailability 1.2. Assess planned and unplanned outages to determine network unavailability and verify restoration times 1.3. Interrogate system to identify traffic status using network management system 1.4. Analyse system alert to identify real and potential traffic problems 1.5. Analyse customer complaints and traffic measurement data to identify network problems 1.6. Activate and deactivate semi permanent controls active in the network on a regular basis to simulate irregular traffic |
2. Develop strategies to overcome network traffic problems |
2.1. Conduct traffic measurements across all identified routes 2.2. Analyse results including historical data to make assessment of traffic volume requirements 2.3. Determine specific thresholds, loading and grading levels to alter traffic flows 2.4. Liaise with personnel to determine amendments to plan based on funding parameters and budgeted levels 2.5. Develop strategies based on traffic analyses and patterns to control traffic and prevent congestion or other traffic problems 2.6. Develop strategies for recovery where traffic congestion occurs 2.7. Develop contingency plans to allow for problems during network changes |
3. Apply short and long term solutions |
3.1. Implement software changes according to planned strategy 3.2. Develop short term ad hoc solutions where temporary solution only is required 3.3. Implement action plan to ensure that reversal action can be initiated in the case of temporary solution 3.4. Implement contingency plan where required 3.5. Undertake monitoring of changes and take measurements to assess the outcome of variations 3.6. Prepare a report based on analysis of measurements for appropriate personnel with recommendations for further changes or actions 3.7. Review and monitor strategies regularly and initiate corrective action where required |
4. Detect and take action on potential traffic congestion |
4.1. Measure and analyse traffic loads to assess potential congestion problems and determine possible impact 4.2. Control traffic flow to prevent processor overloads 4.3. Evaluate potential traffic increases for impact on the network and develop contingencies to control traffic flow if required |
5. Provide traffic indicators for capacity planning |
5.1. Predict future potential traffic trends and requirements using data on current and historical traffic patterns 5.2. Identify potential network traffic problems and make recommendations to network planners 5.3. Complete reports with recommendations and forward to enterprise planners and account managers |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
|
Required knowledge |
|
Evidence Guide
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. |
|
Overview of assessment |
|
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Evidence of the ability to:
|
Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment must ensure:
|
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:
|
Guidance information for assessment |
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs. |
Range Statement
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. |
|
Network may include: |
|
Data may include: |
|
Traffic measurements may use: |
|
Personnel may include: |
|
Monitoring may include: |
|
Traffic loads may refer to: |
|
Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Telecommunications |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
||
Competency field
Competency field |
Telecommunications networks engineering |