BCS Level 3 Award in Networking

and Architecture Syllabus QAN

603/0686/5

Version 1.4
March 2017

This is a United Kingdom government regulated qualification which is administered and

approved by one or more of the following: Ofqual, Qualification in Wales, CCEA or SQA

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BCS Level 3 Award in Networking and Architecture Syllabus
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BCS Level 3 Award in Networking and Architecture
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4

Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 4

Course Format and Duration .............................................................................................. 4

Eligibility for the Examination .............................................................................................. 4

Format and Duration of the Examination ............................................................................ 4

Additional time for Apprentices requiring Reasonable Adjustments due to a disability ........ 5

Additional time for Apprentices whose language is not the language of the examination .... 5
Guidelines for Training Providers 5
Syllabus ............................................................................................................................. 6

Levels of Knowledge / SFIA Levels .................................................................................. 12

Question Weighting .......................................................................................................... 12

Format of Examination ..................................................................................................... 13

Trainer Criteria ................................................................................................................. 13

Classroom Size ................................................................................................................ 13

Recommended Reading List ............................................................................................ 13

Useful Websites ............................................................................................................... 14

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Change History
Any changes made to the syllabus shall be clearly documented with a change history log.
This shall include the latest version number, date of the amendment and changes made. The
purpose is to identify quickly what changes have been made.

Version Changes Made

Number
Version 1.0 Syllabus Created
July 2016
Version 1.1 Learning outcomes reformatted in some areas & content added.
October 2016
Version 1.2 Training criteria amended.
December
2016

Version 1.3 Compliance statement added.

December
2016
Version 1.4 Module title corrected.

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Introduction

This Award is the first module of the five knowledge modules required for the Level 3
Infrastructure Technician Apprenticeship. It covers the range of concepts, approaches and
techniques that are applicable to Networking and Architecture, for which Apprentices are
required to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.

Objectives
Apprentices should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Networking and
its under lying Architecture, its principles and techniques. Key areas are:

1. Understand the use of a range of cabling and connectivity, the various types of
antennas and wireless systems, and IT test equipment
2. Understand maintenance processes and how to employ them in working practices
3. Understand the fundamentals of computer configuration
4. Understand the architecture of computer and business systems
5. Understand the relevant numerical skills and the application of Binary, Octal and
Hexadecimal notation
6. Demonstrate the networking skills necessary to maintain a secure network

Evidence of lessons learnt in these key areas should be collected and reflected upon when
the Apprentice is compiling the Summative Portfolio as the Apprentice could identify how the
task might be done better/differently with knowledge subsequently gained.

Target Audience
The Award is relevant to anyone enrolled on the Level 3 Infrastructure Technician
Apprenticeship Programme.

Course Format and Duration

Candidates can study for this Award by attending a training course provided by a BCS
accredited Training Provider. The estimated total qualification time for this Award is 120 hours.

Eligibility for the Examination

There are no specific pre-requisites for entry to the examination; however, candidates should
possess the appropriate level of knowledge to fulfil the objective shown above.

Format and Duration of the Examination

The format for the examination is a one-hour multiple-choice examination consisting of 40
questions. The examination is closed book (no materials can be taken into the examination
room). The pass mark is 26/40 (65%).

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Additional time for Apprentices requiring Reasonable
Adjustments due to a disability
Apprentices may request additional time if they require reasonable adjustments. Please
refer to the reasonable adjustments policy for detailed information on how and when to
apply.

Additional time for Apprentices whose language is not

the language of the examination
If the examination is taken in a language that is not the Apprentices native/official language,
then they are entitled to 25% extra time.

If the examination is taken in a language that is not the Apprentices native/official language,
then they are entitled to use their own paper language dictionary (whose purpose is
translation between the examination language and another national language) during the
examination. Electronic versions of dictionaries will not be allowed into the examination
room.

Guidelines for Training Providers

Each major subject heading in this syllabus is assigned an allocated time. The purpose of
this is two-fold: first, to give both guidance on the relative proportion of time to be allocated to
each section of an accredited course and an approximate minimum time for the teaching of
each section; second, to guide the proportion of questions in the exam. Training Providers
may spend more time than is indicated and Apprentices may spend more time again in
reading and research. Courses do not have to follow the same order as the syllabus.
Courses may be run as a single module or broken down into two or three smaller modules.

This syllabus is structured into sections relating to major subject headings and numbered
with a single digit section number. Each section is allocated a minimum contact time for
presentation. Apprentices should be encouraged to consider their Summative Portfolio
throughout the modules.

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Syllabus
For each top-level area of the syllabus a percentage and K level is identified. The
percentage is the exam coverage of that area, and the K level identifies the maximum level
of knowledge that may be examined for that area.

1. Fundamentals of Cabling and Wireless connectivity (25%, K3)

In this learning outcome, the Apprentice will explore the fundamental uses of cabling and
connectivity, including various types of cables, wireless systems and test equipment.

1.1 Relate and apply the components, attributes and uses of cables and connectors:
Copper cable classes & categories including twisted pair Cat 1-4, Cat 5 7
UTP/STP and co-axial
Copper Connectors including, but not limited to:
o Registered Jack, for example RJ11, RJ12 and RJ45.
o Coaxial, for example BNC.
o Fibre Optic Cable Classes including OM3, OM4, SM1 and SM2.
Fibre Connectors including but not limited to SC, ST and LC.
Attributes of copper cables and fibre-optic cables including, but not limited to:
o Physical construction.
o Transmission Speed.
o Bandwidth and Distance.
o Electromagnetic Radiation and Security.

1.2 Define and demonstrate key considerations for using wireless systems:
Wireless standards and technology:
o IEEE standard networks including, but not limited to 802.11 and 802.15.
o Bluetooth, RFID and NFC.
o Cellular including the 3GPP family of standards.
Wireless security:
o Wi-fi authentication and encryption including SSID, WEP, WPA and WPA2.
o Authentication including IEEE 802.1x.

1.3 Show the function and purpose of different types of antenna and choose appropriate
antennae to optimise wireless network connectivity:
Radio transmission theory.
Antenna types including omni directional and directional.
The decibel and RF link budgets in radio systems.
Wireless network coverage and connectivity.

1.4 Demonstrate the purpose and best use of test equipment and tools including, but not
limited to:
Using command line tools including, but not limited to, ping, netstat, traceroute,
strace.
Testing of copper cables to applicable Standards including, but not limited to, pre-
test setting up, continuity testing, wire mapping and channel and permanent link
measurements.
Testing of fibre optics to applicable Standards including, but not limited to, pre-test
setting up, use of fibre scopes and Tier 1 and Tier 2 testing.

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 Testing of wireless networks to applicable Standards including, but not limited to,
pre-test setting up and radio surveys.

2. Maintenance processes (20%, K3)

In this learning outcome, the Apprentice will demonstrate an understanding of maintenance

processes and how to apply them in working practices.

2.1 Employ a range of common maintenance tools and explain how to,
Carry out diagnostic checks using, for example:
o Cable testers
o Protocol analysers
o Process explorer
o Process monitor/Top
o Scandisk
o Memtest
o Checkdisk
Interrogate systems using, for example:
o Top/HTop/IOTop
o VMstat
o TCPdump
o Netstat
o SNMP
o IOstat
o System centre
Monitor system performance using, for example:
o Task manager/monitor
o Perfmon
o Sysmon
o Activity Monitor
o Lostat
o Collectl

2.2 Prepare a range of maintenance record types and recording methods, and explain their
purpose:
Proactive / Predictive maintenance:
o Record types including, but not limited to, fault logging, asset log,
worksheets and acceptance tests.
o Recording methods, for example, database, spreadsheet and job cards.
o Maintenance tools to configure and maintain updates, manage local storage
and monitor system performance.
Reactive / Corrective maintenance:
o Managing maintenance work order records.
o Know how to respond to real time system down times for maintenance
order requests.
o Able to react when undertaking short notice tasking requests.
Works order and job cards.

2.3 Apply the processes for making and fulfilling maintenance requests, including
appreciation of organisation processes and relevant SLAs:
Physical maintenance checks:

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 o Hardware and peripherals
o Cabling and connectivity
Pro-active maintenance:
o Controlled release of packages
o Configure and manage updates
Reactive maintenance:
o Mean time to Failure (MTTF)
o Mean time between failures (MTBF)
o Mean time to restore service (MTTR)

3. Computer Architecture (20%, K3)

In this learning outcome, the Apprentice will explore the fundamentals of hardware devices
including their architecture, comparability, compatibility and features, and explain their use in
business IT architecture.

3.1 Describe the function, features, performance and benefits of the hardware components
used in digital networks:
Computers including desktop, laptop, tablet and server.
Network equipment including switches, routers, repeaters, hubs, modems and
WAPs.
Connectivity components including patch panels and patch leads.
Peripherals including printers, phones and multi-functional devices.
The impact on device performance of memory, CPU, storage and network cards.

3.2 Relate hardware readiness and compatibility for business use.

Identify system requirements to ensure correct choice of:
o Specifications (minimum/recommended)
o Security
Test compatibility:
o Upgrading hardware and software
o Sandbox environments
Select network devices to ensure:
o Connectivity
o Features and performance

3.3 Describe configuration and support of devices and their drivers:

Build OS image.
Install and configure drivers and applications.
Connect peripherals including, but not limited to:
o Display units
o Printers
o Scanners
o Keyboard/mouse
o Projectors
o External/internal storage devices
o Graphics cards
o Network cards

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3.4 Describe considerations for implementing access control to local hardware and
applications:
Policy:
o Formulation
o Enforcement
Physical security.
Biometrics.

3.5 Describe resources and mechanisms that contribute to IT business systems:

Resources:
o Servers
o Operating Systems
o Applications
o Databases
o Middleware
o Cloud services
Mechanisms.
o Networking
Security and services.

4. Up to date Operating systems (10%, K3)

In this learning outcome, the Apprentice will understand the similarities, differences and
benefits of up-to-date Operating Systems and will successfully be able to choose Operating
Systems for business use.

4.1 Choose a relevant Operating System that meets given criteria:

Costs including, but not limited to:
o Initial purchase
o Licences
o Maintenance and Support
Compatibility considerations, for example:
o Independent software vendor
o Original equipment manufacturers
o Valueadded resellers
o Open Systems
Intended use requirements, for example:
o Portable devices
o Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
o Business dependant software
o Job description of the user

4.2 Select different operating and hardware systems for appropriate business
requirements:
Server functions including, but not limited, to email, file storage, database, web
services, DNS, Directory Services.

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 Desktop functions including, but not limited, to graphics and data processing.

4.3 Test Operating Systems and hardware readiness and prove compatibility for business
use:
Sandbox testing
Compatibility with legacy systems and software
Preparation of systems for distribution

5. Relevant numerical skills (10%, K3)

In this learning outcome, the Apprentice will understand and explore practical applications of
numerical skills within ICT.

5.1 Interpret common units used in computing including, but not limited to, bit (b), byte (B),
kilobyte (kB), megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB) and terabyte (TB).

5.2 Recognise different number bases including binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal
and apply them to MAC and IP addressing in computer networks.

5.3 Identify and apply numerical skills to develop IPv4 and IPv6 address plans.

6. Secure Networking (15%, K3)

In this learning outcome, the Apprentice will gain the necessary skills required to maintain a
secure network supporting the most common business infrastructures.

6.1 Interpret the relationship between ISO 7-layer model and the TCP/IP model, explain the
purpose of the layered approach and configure network components and devices used to
deliver secure data networks:
Physical layer including electrical, optical, wireless, hubs and repeaters.
Data link layer including network interface cards, bridges and switches.
Network layer including routers and layer 3 switches.
Computers, servers and storage including user and group permissions.

6.2 Identify common network topologies and explain the function of the protocols used
within the layered models to deliver secure data networks:
Identify topologies including Star, Bus, Ring and Mesh.
Describe Standards bodies including, but not limited to, IEEE, IIETF and W3C.
Explain the purpose and features of Ethernet including but not limited to MAC
address, Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU), header format, fragmentation and
error checking.
Explain the purpose and features of IPv4 including but not limited to IP address
format, subnet masking, default gateways, IP header format, public and private
ranges, Network Address Translation.
Explain the benefits and features of IPv6 including but not limited to extended
address space, IP address format, extended features and IPSec authentication.

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 Explain the advantages of dynamic routing and describe the function of common
types of routing protocols including Distance Vector, Link State and Balanced
Hybrid.
Explain the purpose and features of Transport Layer protocols such as TCP and
UDP including, but not limited to, header format, ports, flow control, sequencing
and error checking.
Explain the operation of protocols and services used to facilitate the operation of
the layers including, but not limited to ARP, DHCP, DNS and IPSec
Explain the common Application Layer protocols including, but not limited to, HTTP,
SMTP and FTP.
Identify commonly used port numbers.

6.3 Describe the importance of access control when maintaining network security
Physical control methods.
Logical control methods including, but not limited to, authorisation, authentication,
user and user groups, permissions and object data.

6.4 Relate the nature and application of virtual networks including:

VLAN VLAN tagging, static and dynamic configuration.
VPN configuration and encryption.

6.5 Configuration of remote management systems to enable remote access to a network

using a range of methods including RDP, VNC, SSH and PowerShell.

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Levels of Knowledge / SFIA Levels
This syllabus will provide Apprentices with the levels of difficulty / knowledge skill highlighted
within the following table, enabling them to develop the skills to operate at the levels of
responsibility indicated. The levels of knowledge and SFIA levels are explained on the
website www.bcs.org/levels. The levels of knowledge above will enable Apprentices to
develop the following levels of skill to be able to operate at the following levels of
responsibility (as defined within the SFIA framework) within their workplace:

Level Levels of Knowledge Levels of Skill and Responsibility (SFIA)

K7 Set strategy, inspire and mobilise
K6 Evaluate Initiate and influence
K5 Synthesise Ensure and advise
K4 Analyse Enable
K3 Apply Apply
K2 Understand Assist
K1 Remember Follow

Question Weighting
Syllabus Area Target number of questions
1. Fundamental use of Cabling and 10
wireless
2. Maintenance processes 8
3. Computer Architecture 8
4. Up to date Operating systems 4
5. Relevant numerical skills 4
6. Secure Networking 6
Total 40 Questions

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Format of Examination
Type 40 Question Multiple Choice
Duration 1 Hour. An additional 15 minutes will be allowed for Apprentices sitting
the examination in a language that is not their native /mother tongue.
Pre-requisites Training from a BCS accredited Training Provider is strongly
recommended but is not a pre-requisite
Supervised Yes
Open Book No

Pass Mark 26/40 (65%)

Calculators Calculators cannot be used during this examination
Total Qualification 120 Hours
Time (TQT)
Delivery Online

Trainer Criteria
Criteria Have 10 days training experience or have a train the trainer
qualification
Have a minimum of 3 years practical experience in the subject
area

Classroom Size
Trainer to Apprentice ratio 1:16

Recommended Reading List

Title Network Design Cookbook: Architecting Cisco Networks
Author Michael Thomatis, CCIE #6778
Publisher lulu.com
Publication Date 19 October 2015
ISBN 978-1257750245

Title TCP/IP Network Administration, 3rd Edition

Author Craig Hunt
Publisher O'Reilly Media
Publication Date April 2002
ISBN 978-0596002978

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Title CompTIA Network+ Study Guide, 3rd Edition
Author Todd Lammle
Publisher Wiley
Publication Date May 2015
ISBN 978-1-119-02124-7

Title CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, 5th Edition

(Exam N10-005)
Author Michael Meyers
Publisher McGraw-Hill Education
Publication Date 1 March 2012
ISBN 978-0071789226

Useful Websites
http://certification.comptia.org/getCertified/certifications/network.aspx
http://www.w3schools.com/website/web_tcpip.asp
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/routing-information-protocol-rip/13788-3.html
https://www.ietf.org/rfc.html

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