SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Explain the principles of computer networks 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14913  Explain the principles of computer networks 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Information Systems and Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Reregistered  2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 is intended:
  • to provide fundamental knowledge of the areas covered
  • for those working in, or entering the workplace in the area of Data Communication & Networking
  • as additional knowledge for those wanting to understand the areas covered

    People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Describe data communication.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of main features of LAN`s
  • Demonstrate knowledge of main features of WAN`s.
    The performance of all elements is to a standard that allows for further learning in this area. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Open.
    The credit value of this unit is based on a person having prior knowledge and skills to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental mathematics (at least NQF level 3).
  • Demonstrate PC competency skills (End-User Computing unit Standards, at least up to NQF level 3.)
  • Demonstrate competence to resolve technical computer problems (SGB-ID=DC301/ 302).
  • Demonstrate an understanding of local and wide area networks, and their installation. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe data communication. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The description explains the roles of key elements in data communication. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Computer, Sender, Receiver, Transmission media.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description differentiates between LAN's and WAN's. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Speed, Control, Access, Media, Cost, Distance.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of main features of LANs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The demonstration identifies the uses of LAN's with respect to current practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Local sharing of data, programs, peripherals and communications.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The demonstration identifies the main types of LAN media. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Twisted pair, Coaxial, Optic fiber, Wireless.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The demonstration describes the main LAN configurations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Star, Bus, Ring.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The demonstration describes LAN bandwidth. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Baseband, Broadband.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The demonstration describes LAN protocols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ethernet, Token ring, TCP/IP.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge of main features of WANs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The demonstration explains the uses of WAN's with respect to current practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Remote sharing of data, programs, peripherals and communications.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The demonstration explains the uses, hardware requirements and advantages of WAN's. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Voice, Data, Packet switched, ISDN.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The relevant Education and Training Quality Authority (ETQA) must accredit providers before they can offer programs of education and training assessed against unit standards.
    Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    1. Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with organisation standards and procedures, unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: quality assurance, documentation, security, communication, health and safety, and personal behavior. An example of the standards expected is the standards found in ISO 9000 Certified Organisations.
    2. Performance of all elements complies with the laws of South Africa, especially with regard to copyright, privacy, health and safety, and consumer rights.
    3. All activities must comply with any policies, procedures and requirements of the organisations involved, the ethical codes of relevant professional bodies and any relevant legislative and/ or regulatory requirements.
    4. Performance of all elements should be performed with a solid understanding of the use of development tools needed in the areas applicable to the unit standard. Examples of such tools are, but is not limited to CASE tools, programming language editors with syntax checking, program source version control systems systems. 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of an organisation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage him/her self and his/her activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exists in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to his/her full personal development and the social and economic development of the society at large by being aware of the importance of: reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively, exploring education and career opportunities and developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary information:
    1. "LAN" refers to a single network of personal computers within the same area,such as an office or building.
    2. "Industry Recommended Procedure" refers to a procedure used and recommendedby an organisation involved in the computer industry.

    Sub-Sub-Field (Domain):
    Data Communications and Networking 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  67609   National Certificate: Mechatronics  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Core  78965   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Core  24294   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2010-01-23  Was MICTS until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  78964   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Technical Support  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Core  24293   National Certificate: Information Technology: Technical Support  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2010-01-23  Was MICTS until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  20184   National Certificate: Banking  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Reregistered  2023-06-30  BANKSETA 
    Elective  61591   National Certificate: Information Technology: End User Computing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Reregistered  2021-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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. Abetech 
    2. Academy of Training and Development 
    3. AccTech Systems (PTY)LTD 
    4. Acol Computer Training PTY LTD 
    5. Act of Grace 97 
    6. Added Advantage Academy (Durban) 
    7. Afedile M Learning Centre (Pty) Ltd 
    8. Affirmations Training 
    9. AFRICALEADS ACADEMY 
    10. All Connections cc 
    11. Amitek Business College 
    12. Anderson College (Pty) Ltd 
    13. Ankalite (Pty) Limited 
    14. Arise Business Centre 
    15. Artshub Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    16. Aspirations Communication Training CC 
    17. ATTI IT SOLUTIONS BLOEMFONTEIN 
    18. ATTI Nelspruit Pty Ltd 
    19. AUM IT Solutions 
    20. Bantsho Marketing & Management Strategies 
    21. Best Information Solutions 
    22. Beth Horner & Associates 
    23. Birnam Business College (Pty) Limited 
    24. BMW SA (Pty) Ltd (ROSSLYN) (TP) 
    25. Bokamoso Competence (Pty) Ltd 
    26. Bonalesedi Computer Training 
    27. Bophelo Tota ICT Driving Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    28. Broadband College of Technology 
    29. BTC Campus (Pty) Ltd 
    30. Bytes People Solutions A Division of Altron TMT (Pty) Ltd 
    31. Calandra Trading 523(PTY) 
    32. Cape Innovation Technology Initiative 
    33. Cape Town Society for the Blind 
    34. Careers IT (Pty) Ltd 
    35. Certified Workforce Trainers cc. 
    36. Claas Illustration 
    37. College Africa Group (Pty) Ltd 
    38. Columbus Consulting Pty Ltd 
    39. CompEd IT Training 
    40. Competence computer and business management 
    41. Compuscan Academy 
    42. Computer Technology Dev Institute 
    43. CTU Training Solutions 
    44. Cyber College of Business and Technology 
    45. CYBER MINDS (PTY) LIMITED 
    46. Daily Training Cc 
    47. DC Dynamic College of Commerce & Further Training (Pty) Ltd 
    48. Delight Computer Training 
    49. Denwin's Computer & Business School 
    50. DIGMAC PTY LTD 
    51. Ditlotlo Trading Enterprise Cc 
    52. DVG Property (Pty)Ltd 
    53. Eagle Computer Training 
    54. Eastcape Midlands Public FET College - Uitenhage (High Street)Campus 
    55. Eastern Cape Academy of Technology 
    56. Egsibit Training and Development 
    57. Ekasi IT Solutions CC 
    58. Ekukhanyeni Community Development Centre 
    59. Ekurhuleni Computer College 
    60. Elangeni Training Institute 
    61. Elchees Software Solutions 
    62. Fakazani Management Services 
    63. Falcon Business Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    64. Far North Education & Training Trust (FNETT) 
    65. Far North Youth Development Initiative 
    66. Far-Ahead Computer Training Centre Cc 
    67. Firstrand Bank - Benmore 
    68. Forek Institute of Technology (Pty) Ltd 
    69. Fort Hare Solutions (PTY) LTD 
    70. Foster-Melliar 
    71. Futurekids SA (Fochville) 
    72. Gabasega Consulting and Training Centre 
    73. Gauteng College of Engineering and Technology (PTY) LTD 
    74. GDE Science Education Centre 
    75. Gegana Computer Academy and Business Solutions cc 
    76. Gijima Holdings (Pty) Ltd 
    77. Golden Step Campus (Pty) Ltd. 
    78. Goldfields TVET College 
    79. Goodwill Institute Of Technology 
    80. Gurandbuilt Management Development 
    81. Hazyview Computer College 
    82. Hectic Productions cc 
    83. Hlanganani ICT (Pty) Ltd 
    84. IALE School of Advanced Learning and Education (Pty) Ltd 
    85. iLearn Corporate Services PTY LTD 
    86. Indonsa Consulting and Training cc 
    87. Information Technology Resource Centre 
    88. Institute of Training and Education for Capacity Building 
    89. ISAMON VOCATIONAL COLLEGE OF EXCELLENCE 
    90. iSolve Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    91. IT Certification Academy 
    92. IT SA Computer Services Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    93. ITSI Digital Teaching Technologies (Pty) Ltd 
    94. Jeppe College of Commerce and Computer Studies 
    95. Johannesburg Institute of Engineering & Technology 
    96. John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust 
    97. Jonda Learning Academy 
    98. Kaelo Computer Training cc 
    99. Keybase Training Solutions Cc 
    100. Kezla Investments 
    101. Khuphulanani Training Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    102. KIB College (Pty) Ltd 
    103. King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College 
    104. Konani Training and Development Institute 
    105. Kondi Computer Training 
    106. Kumani Computer College 
    107. Kylix Information Systems 
    108. LA Gomme Training Centre 
    109. Leading Edge Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    110. Lephalale Core Skills Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    111. Lesedi Consulting 
    112. Leseding Computer Systems (Pty) Ltd 
    113. LGIT Smart Solutions 
    114. Limco Consulting and management (Pty) Ltd 
    115. Loja Trading cc 
    116. M-cot Corporate Training 
    117. Mackeys Computing (Pty) Ltd 
    118. Madzahisi College 
    119. Makhophila Business Enterprise 
    120. Malope IT Solutions 
    121. Masana Brainstorm Conferencing cc 
    122. Mash Computer Training 
    123. Mass Computer Training And Printers 
    124. MasterGrade IT 
    125. Mercedes Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd (EAST LONDON) (TP) 
    126. Mkoneni Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    127. Mokk Consultants Cc 
    128. Mosadikago Trading Cc 
    129. Motheo TVET College 
    130. Mourema Computer Training Centre 
    131. Mpisholo Training Solutions 
    132. Mpondo Zengwenya Trading Cc 
    133. Mthonyama Technologies cc 
    134. Mveelaphanda Development and Projects cc 
    135. National Computer College Carletonville 
    136. National Computer College Cc 
    137. NCM Computer and Business Academy 
    138. Ndabezitha Life Skills Training Institute 
    139. Nedbank Ltd 
    140. NET2G Technologies (Pty) Ltd t/a IT SCHOOL 
    141. NetCampus (Pty) Ltd. 
    142. New Era Computer Training Centre (Hidobyte CC) 
    143. Nextgen Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    144. Ngubeni Corporation 
    145. Nicoflora Computers & PC Engineering (Pty) Ltd 
    146. Ntamunde Investment 
    147. Nyankwavi Inverstment 
    148. Ocule IT cc 
    149. On the Ball College Pty ltd 
    150. Overcomers Training College (Pty) Ltd 
    151. Parkton College of Catering & Tourism Studies 
    152. Pillays Computer and Careers 
    153. Prophesy Training College (Pty) Ltd 
    154. PROSERV SA (PTY) LTD 
    155. Protech Business and Computer College Pty Ltd. 
    156. Qhakaza Management Services 
    157. Rand Training College 
    158. Reaithuta Computer Academy 
    159. Regent-Comp 
    160. Rivoni Training N Communications 
    161. Ron and Becky Trading 
    162. Rorisang Computer (Pty) Ltd 
    163. Sankin Computer Training Pty Ltd 
    164. Sas Institute Pty Ltd 
    165. Sebata Municipal Solutions (Pty) Limited 
    166. Sed General Trading Enterprise 
    167. SEDIBENG 
    168. Setlagole Telecentre 
    169. Simation (Pty) Ltd 
    170. Sivile Housing Association RSA 
    171. Siyabonga Multi - Purpose Centre 
    172. Siyafunda Community Technology Centre 
    173. Smart Byte Training Cc 
    174. South Africa Advanced Skills Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    175. Southern Africa Youth Project NPC 
    176. Sovereign Skills Development Institute (Pty) 
    177. Springfield Training (Pty) Ltd 
    178. Star Light Consulting 
    179. Success Christian Training Centre 
    180. Taal-Net Training Institute 
    181. Technology Corporate Management (Pty) Ltd 
    182. Tekmation (Pty) Ltd T/A Tekmation Training Institute (DURBAN) (TP) 
    183. Terry Computer Services cc 
    184. The Graduate Institute of South Africa 
    185. THE SAJ COMPETENCY TRAINING INSTITUTE CC 
    186. The Ulwazi Computer Training Center 
    187. Tira Telecoms 
    188. Titan Trade Technologies (Pty) Ltd 
    189. Torque Technical Computer Training (Pty) Ltd 
    190. Toyota Academy Toyota SA Motors (Pty) Ltd (ISIPINGO) (TP) 
    191. Tshedza Training Technologies (Pty) Ltd 
    192. Tshwane College of Commerce and Computer 
    193. Tumelo Education and Training 
    194. Turnstone Trading 183 (Pty) Ltd 
    195. Umbrella Training and Development 
    196. Umbuso Training Services (Pty) Ltd. 
    197. Umzinyathi Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd 
    198. Volkswagen of South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Technical Learning Academy (UIT 
    199. Vukani Solutions 
    200. Vuthlari Marketing Consulting (PTY)LTD 
    201. Waterberg TVET College 
    202. Whitestone College 
    203. Xtensive ICT Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    204. Xylo Trading 12 (Pty) Ltd 
    205. Y2K COLLEGE 
    206. Zealot Business College cc 
    207. Zinjiva Trading 
    208. ZJ Africa Learn (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.