The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC)

was set up as a statutory body on 11 June 2001

by the Minister for Education and Science.
Under the Qualifications (Education & Training) Act, 1999,
FETAC now has responsibility for making awards
previously made by NCVA.

Module Descriptor

Networking Essentials
Level 5 C20256

www.fetac.ie
1 Module Title Networking Essentials

2 Module Code C20256

3 Level 5

4 Credit Value 1 credit

5 Purpose This module is a statement of the standards to be achieved to gain a

FETAC credit in Networking Essentials at Level 5.

The module is designed to enable the learner to acquire the

concepts and skills necessary to understand, develop and maintain a
peer-to-peer local area network.
6 Preferred
Entry Level Level 4 Certificate, Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualifications
and/or relevant life and work experiences.
7 Special
Requirements None.

8 General Aims
Learners who successfully complete this module will:

8.1 understand the role played by networks in the modern world of

industry, education, communications and business
8.2 be familiar with the range of devices and media used to set up local
area networks
8.3 recognise the prominent local area network protocols
8.4 possess the range of skills necessary to build and maintain a peer-
to-peer local area network
8.5 be familiar with best practice procedures for troubleshooting a
peer-to-peer local area network
9 Units The specific learning outcomes are grouped into 6 units.

Unit 1 Fundamentals and Topologies

Unit 2 Devices and Media
Unit 3 Connectivity and Protocols
Unit 4 Peer to Peer Networking
Unit 5 Resource Management
Unit 6 Troubleshooting

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10 Specific Learning
Outcomes

Unit 1 Fundamentals and Topologies

Learners should be able to:

10.1.1 Define the concept of a computer network

10.1.2 Outline the advantages and disadvantages of networks.
10.1.3 List the types of networks:
• Local Area Networks
• Metropolitan Area Networks
• Wide Area Networks

10.1.4 Recognise and outline the advantages and disadvantages of the

following network physical topologies:
• Bus
• Ring
• Star
• Extended Star
• Hierarchical
• Mesh

10.1.5 Define digital bandwidth and recognise its importance

Unit 2 Devices and Media

Learners should be able to:

10.2.1 Distinguish between the uses of a modem and an ISDN adapter

10.2.2 Identify the features and functions of a Network Interface Card
(NIC)
10.2.3 Install a Network Interface Card in a PC
10.2.4 State the features and functions of the following devices:
• Server
• Gateway
• Hub
• Switch
• Router

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10.2.5 Recognise and be aware of the uses of Coaxial, Unshielded
Twisted Pair (UTP) and Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) network
cables
10.2.6 Identify the main connector types: BNC, RJ-11, RJ-45 and AUI
10.2.7 Outline the purpose of a transceiver
10.2.8 Distinguish between the characteristics and uses of crossover,
rollover and straight-through UTP network cables
10.2.9 Be aware of other transmission media and systems e.g.
• Fibre Optic Cable
• Infrared Systems
• Wireless
• Microwave
• Satellite

10.2.10 List the factors to consider when choosing a particular transmission

medium e.g.:
• Cost
• Installation
• Expansion
• Bandwidth
• Signal Degradation
• Interference

Unit 3 Connectivity and Protocols

Learners should be able to:

10.3.1 Distinguish between IP and MAC addresses

10.3.2 Define the role of a protocol
10.3.3 Recognise the use of the NETBUI protocol
10.3.4 List the four layers of the TCP/IP model and their functions.
10.3.5 List the prominent TCP/IP protocols and identify their uses e.g.:
HTTP, FTP, DNS, SMTP, POP3, TCP and IP.
10.3.6 Define the components and structure of an IP addresses
10.3.7 Distinguish between IPv4 and IPv6
10.3.8 Distinguish between the classful IP ranges (A, B and C) and their
subnet masks
10.3.9 Briefly explain the purpose of subnetting
10.3.10 Identify the differences between private (non-routable) and public
(routable) addressing schemes
10.3.11 Configure a static private (non-routable) address
10.3.12 Establish connectivity between two PCs using a crossover cable

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 Unit 4 Peer to Peer Networking

Learners should be able to:

10.4.1 Explain the purpose of a peer to peer network

10.4.2 List the hardware needed to connect two or more computers in a
peer-to-peer configuration
10.4.4 State the significance of machine names
10.4.6 Appreciate the need for a naming convention in a peer to peer
network
10.4.7 State the role of the Master Browser in a peer to peer network

10.4.5 Establish a workgroup in a peer to peer network

10.4.8 Demonstrate the ability to change machine names and IP addresses
10.4.9 Demonstrate the ability to set up and change local user accounts
and passwords in a peer to peer network
10.4.10 Create a user group
10.4.11 Change the group membership of a user account
Unit 5 Resource Management
Learners should be able to:
10.5.1 Explain the need to share resources in a peer to peer network
10.5.2 Demonstrate the ability to share files, folders, printers and other
devices e.g. CD-ROM
10.5.3 Demonstrate the ability to set file and folder permissions
10.5.5 Demonstrate the ability to apply share permissions to users and
groups
10.5.6 Demonstrate the ability to set up and share an Internet connection.

Unit 6 Troubleshooting
Learners should be able to:
10.6.1 State the more common operational and usability problems in a
peer to peer network
10.6.2 Distinguish between an ill-defined and a well-defined problem
10.6.3 Develop a plan to identify and resolve these problems
10.6.4 Use appropriate Help files to find solutions
10.6.5 Document all information regarding the nature of the problem and
preferred solution if obtainable.
10.6.6 Use basic command prompt network tools e.g. Ping, Tracert,
Ipconfig, Net Use etc.

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11 Portfolio of
Assessment Please refer to the glossary of assessment techniques and the note
on assessment principles at the end of this module descriptor.

All assessment is carried out in accordance with FETAC

regulations.

Assessment is devised by the internal assessor, with external

moderation by FETAC.

Summary Skills Demonstration 70%

Examination 30%

11.1 Skills Demonstration

In one or more skills demonstrations candidates will be required to:

• configure a private (non-routable) address on a PC

• configure a computer name
• connect two or more computers to establish a workgroup
• use command prompt network tools e.g.ping, tracert, ipconfig,
Net Use etc.
• set up local user accounts and passwords
• create a user group and add users to it
• share a file, folder, printer and another device (e.g.CD)
• apply share permissions to users and groups
• troubleshoot a common operational or usability peer-to-peer
network problem
• document fully each of these tasks

11.2 Examination
The internal assessor will devise a theory based examination that
assess candidates ability to recall and apply and understanding of
theory and practical processes, requiring responses to a range of
question types, short answer and structure. These questions may be
answered in different media such as in writing or orally.

The examination will be based on a range of specific learning

outcomes across all 6 units.

The examination will be 1½ hours in duration.

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 The format of the examination will be as follows:

Section A.
12 short answer questions.
Candidates will be required to answer 10 (1 mark each).

Section B.
3 structured questions.
Candidates will be required to answer 2 (10 marks each).

12 Grading
Pass 50 - 64%
Merit 65 - 79%
Distinction 80 - 100%

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 Individual Candidate Networking Essentials
Marking Sheet 1 C20256
Skills Demonstration (70%)

Candidate Name: _______________________________ PPSN: ________________________

Centre: __________________________________________________ Centre No.: _________

Assessment Criteria Maximum Candidate

Mark Mark
Configure private (non-routable) address 5

Configure computer name 5

Establish a workgroup 10

Use command prompt network tools 6

Set up local user accounts and passwords 6

Create a user group and add users to it 6

Share a file, folder, printer and another device 6

Apply share permissions to users and groups 6

Troubleshoot a common network problem 10

Document fully each task 10

TOTAL MARKS 70
This mark should be transferred to the Module Results
Summary sheet

Internal Assessor’s Signature: __________________________________ Date: ____________

External Authenticator’s Signature: _____________________________ Date: ____________

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 Individual Candidate Networking Essentials
Marking Sheet 2 C20256
Examination 30%

Candidate Name: _______________________________ PPSN: ________________________

Centre: __________________________________________________ Centre No.: _________

Maximum Candidate
Assessment Criteria
Mark Mark
Section A: short answer questions

12 short answer questions, answer any 10 (2 marks each)

(Indicate questions answered)

Question No.:* _____ 1

_____ 1
_____ 1
_____ 1
_____ 1
_____ 1
_____ 1
_____ 1
_____ 1
_____ 1

Subtotal 10
Section B: structured questions

3 structured questions, answer any 2 (20 marks each)

(Indicate questions answered)

Question No.:* _____ 10

_____ 10

Subtotal 20
TOTAL MARKS
This mark should be transferred to the Module Results Summary Sheet 30
* The internal assessor is required to enter here the question numbers answered by the candidate.

Internal Assessor’s Signature: __________________________________ Date: ____________

External Authenticator’s Signature: _____________________________ Date: ____________

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 FETAC Module Results Summary Sheet
Module Title: Networking Essentials
Module Code: C20256 Mark Sheet Mark Sheet
Assessment Marking Sheets Total
1 2 Grade*
100%
Maximum Marks per Marking Sheet 70 30
Candidate Surname Candidate Forename

Signed: Grade*
D: 80 - 100%
Internal Assessor: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________________ M: 65 - 79%
This sheet is for internal assessors to record the overall marks of individual candidates. It should be retained in P: 50 - 64%
the centre. The marks awarded should be transferred to the official FETAC Module Results Sheet issued to U: 0 - 49%
centres before the visit of the external Authenticator. W: candidates entered who did not present for assessment

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