Course Title: Undertake network performance analysis

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2009

Course Code: EEET6726C

Course Title: Undertake network performance analysis

School: 130T Vocational Engineering

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6080 - Advanced Diploma of Telecommunications Engineering

Course Contact: Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468

Course Contact Email: engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 150

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are no prerequisites

Course Description

This unit deals specifically with the monitoring of network performance. This unit may apply to switching, transmission and radio (both fixed and mobile) network and the various transmission paths i.e. cable, optic fibre, radio, microwave and satellite. This unit applies to computer systems including Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs).


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTTC046C Undertake network performance analysis

Element:

1. Determine service levels

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Quality of service standards levels are established in conjunction with equipment suppliers, taking into account customer opinion and equipment capability
1.2 Trend analysis data is collected and analysed
1.3 Statistical data related to customer evidence of network degradation is gathered
1.4 Comparative data from across the whole network is analysed
1.5 Mean time between failures is established using historical data, equipment capability records and allowing for process improvement
1.6 Restoration times in the event of service breakdown are established
1.7 Resources necessary to monitor service levels is determined, organised and allocated

Element:

2. Check the integrity of the network

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Alarm panels are monitored on an ongoing basis
2.2 Real time analysis of data/information from all sources, as to network health is undertaken
2.3 Message retrieval system is checked on a regular basis

Element:

3. Monitor the delivery of quality service

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Service levels are continually monitored to ensure that established standards are achieved and/or improved
3.2 Appropriate tests are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure performance levels are within prescribed specifications
3.3 Network alarms relating to the overall network and the network elements are continually monitored
3.4 All network repair and configuration activity on the network is continually monitored and managed
3.5 Trouble reports are received and analysed on a regular basis
3.6 Active fault queues are checked and progress reports obtained as to fault status
3.7 Customer perception surveys are undertaken on a regular basis and information used to manage network health
3.8 Performance data including customer feedback is used as a regular indicator of network performance
3.9 Equipment performance is regularly checked against equipment vendor specifications
3.10 Drive test data is analysed where appropriate as an input to performance and optimisation of the network
3.11 Regular feedback from marketing personnel is organised as a further barometer to performance

Element:

4. Organise quality repair

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Performance results are analysed on a regular basis and investigations initiated as to problem in the event that performance levels are not within specified standards
4.2 Causes of problems are analysed by testing specific network components
4.3 Problems are isolated where possible and repair organised or escalated in accordance with enterprise policy
4.4 Further testing is undertaken after repair to ensure that the problem is corrected
4.5 Problems/faults are simulated in a captured environment where necessary

Element:

5. Co-ordinate upgrade of software/ hardware

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Features or standards lacking as a result of studies and customer feedback are determined and strategies developed to affect change
5.2 Costs of change proposed are assessed and a cost/benefit study undertaken and submitted for approval
5.3 Shortcomings in hardware are confirmed and negotiations undertaken with planners/designers for change or improvement
5.4 Studies are undertaken to ensure that new or modified equipment is compatible with existing equipment
5.5 Software and hardware changes are initiated with minimum downtime and minimum customer impact
5.6 Tests are undertaken following upgrade to ensure the level of performance planned as a result of the upgrade is being achieved


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

See Student drive


Teaching Schedule

See Student drive


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

ASssessment may include:

Assignment based research reports

Laboratory Exercises

Project or Written Test


Assessment Tasks

Assignment based research reports 30%
Laboratory Exercises 30%
Project or Written Test 40%


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview