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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

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
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2018-07-01	2023-06-30	SAQA 06120/18
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30		2029-06-30

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	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	MERSETA
Core	78965	Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Development	Level 4	NQF Level 04	Passed the End Date - Status was "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	Passed the End Date - Status was "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	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	BANKSETA
Elective	61591	National Certificate: Information Technology: End User Computing	Level 3	NQF Level 03	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	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.	Academy at Vaal Triangle (AVT
2.	Action for Blind and Disabled
3.	Aspirations Communication Training CC
4.	Atvance Institute (Pty) Ltd
5.	Balefile Trading and Services
6.	Bokamoso Skills and Economic Development Centre
7.	College Africa Group (Pty) Ltd
8.	Eagle Computer Training
9.	Ekasi IT Solutions Centre
10.	Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre Pty Ltd
11.	Elangeni Training Institute
12.	Elchees Software Solutions
13.	Eshybrand Pty Ltd
14.	EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD
15.	Fachs Business Consulting and Training
16.	Finweb Business Consultancy
17.	Foster-Melliar (Pty) Ltd
18.	Fourways Private College
19.	Global Institute for Capacity
20.	HAVOHEJ CONSULTANCY
21.	Hazyview Computer College
22.	HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY
23.	Hlanganani ICT (Pty) Ltd
24.	Ikusasalethu Youth Development Project NPC
25.	Inqubeko Institute (Pty) Ltd
26.	IT Academy
27.	Jeppe College of Commerce and
28.	K Boneng Consulting Services P
29.	K Centre Business Enterprise (PTY) LTD
30.	Loomee Group
31.	Masakhane Training and Consult
32.	Mogapi Education Group (Pty) Ltd
33.	Moving Ahead Development Agenc
34.	Musengavhadzimu Media
35.	Natfin Holdings Pty Ltd
36.	Ndulita Solutions
37.	Nedbank Ltd
38.	Octomate Education Pty Ltd
39.	Polokwane Technology Institute (Pty) Ltd
40.	PRX SCHOOL TEST
41.	QUALITATIVE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
42.	QUARPHIX (PTY) LTD
43.	Redefine Human Capital (PTY) L
44.	Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd
45.	Rostec Technical FET College (Pty) Ltd
46.	Sabile Human Resources Consult
47.	SANDM IT TRAINING (PTY) LTD
48.	Silulo Ulutho Technologies
49.	Spina Consultancy
50.	Synergistic Covenant Network NPO
51.	Techtisa (pty) Ltd
52.	The Finishing College (Pty) Lt
53.	Titan Trade Technologies
54.	TORQUE TECHNICAL COMPUTER TRAINING PTY LTD
55.	Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd
56.	VSS College (Pty) LTD
57.	Wellinkwise Pty Ltd
58.	Whitestone College
59.	ZA WIT (PTY) LTD
60.	Zealot Business College