Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units. D3C0 04 Stand Alone Computer System Support (Microsoft)

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1 Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units D3C0 04 Stand Alone Computer System Support (Microsoft) 1st edition September 2000 Price: Publication code: ISBN: Published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority Hanover House, 24 Douglas Street, Glasgow G2 7NQ, and Ironmills Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 1LE The information in this publication may be reproduced in order to support SQA awards. If it is reproduced, SQA should be clearly acknowledged as the source. If it is to be used for any other purpose then written permission must be obtained from the Support Materials Development Officer at SQA. It must not be reproduced for trade or commercial purposes. Scottish Qualifications Authority 2000 SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units 1

2 Contents 1 Introduction 2 Summary of unit 3 Exemplar assessments 2 SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units

3 D3C0 04 Stand Alone Computer System Support (Microsoft) 1 Introduction This pack supplements the original unit specification. It aims to provide examples of assessments that are valid, reliable and practicable. The examples provided are intended for guidance only. They may be used in a variety of ways including, for example: to exemplify the standard expected of candidates achieving the unit ie as a benchmark to help you develop your own assessments for the unit to help you develop valid and practicable assessments for other units in the same curricular area to give you new ideas as a staff development tool. It is very important that you note that using assessments based on these examples does not automatically guarantee successful external moderation. It is still your responsibility to make sure that all the appropriate internal quality assurance procedures are satisfactorily completed. For example, a valid, effective and approved internal moderation system must be in use at your centre. Before using this material, you might find it useful to look at some other publications, in particular: Guide to Assessment and Quality Assurance for Colleges of Further Education (A0841) Guidance on Special Assessment and Certification Arrangements for Candidates with Special Needs and Candidates whose First Language is not English (A0645). Details of these and other SQA publications are available in the SQA Information catalogue, updated and printed quarterly (tel to obtain a copy). The SQA Information catalogue also lists all published HN Exemplar assessments. You could also visit our website at A free copy of this pack is available to all SQA centres. Additional copies can be obtained, price from the Sales Section, Scottish Qualifications Authority, 24 Douglas Street, Glasgow G2 7NQ (tel: or fax ). SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units 3

4 2 Summary of unit Target audience and entry requirements This unit is designed as part of the Advanced Certificate in Networking (Microsoft) and should be read in conjunction with the notes for that group award. Note that the exemplars provided cover only those parts of the unit not assessed by observation of the Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) course material. Contextualisation The unit is delivered in conjunction with D3BY 04 Network Technology (Microsoft), D3BX 04 Multi User Network Systems Administration (Microsoft) and D3C1 04 Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks in the Enterprise (Microsoft). As this unit is assessed partially using the MOC material and since this does not map directly to individual units a list of the topics covered in the Microsoft courses is provided in the Group Award Requirements (SQA, 2000) to allow cross referencing. Content General: The terms used in this unit should not be interpreted as being specific to any particular type of computer or operating environment. Whilst every effort has been made to genericise the language used inevitably some terms have specific meanings in some systems. As an example the term directory is used but this should be interpreted as a folder on an Apple system. Obviously in the vendor specific version the terminology used will be that of the vendor s operating system. 4 SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units

5 D3C0 04 Stand Alone Computer System Support (Microsoft) O1: A mainly practical outcome covering the basic use of operating environments. There is no specific assessments for PCs (a) and (b) as this is assumed through the use of the operating system throughout the labs (practical exercises) built into the MOC course. PCs (c) and (d) have specific items mapped against them in the unit checklist. O2: A cognitive outcome dealing with systems software. References will be found in the checklist to the appropriate sections of the MOC material however the main evidence for this outcome is a written assessment. The intended definition of systems software includes such things as the user interface/command interpreter, file and memory management systems, basic input/output system and kernel. It does not include compilers or application software. O3, PC(d): System files should be interpreted as any mechanism by which the operation of the environment can be controlled or modified. For example, the range item 'Startup' could be covered by the contents of the 'Startup' group under Windows. O4: The term 'commercial' is used in the sense of commercially available rather than a description of content. System resources should be regarded as including not just the direct computer system but also wider aspects such as external sources of data (which may require import filters) or non-standard paper types or sizes for which the software may need to be set up. Organisational standards may include such things as virus checking prior to installation; naming and location of directories and timed backups. Diverse (as specified in evidence requirements) can refer to the functions of the application packages or their operating environment. O5: This outcome deals with basic housekeeping activities related to disk storage, data security and fault finding. The emphasis is on managing the system not just reacting to events as they occur. Range category 'Directory Structure' should be read as 'File Storage Structure'. The PCs in this outcome are assessed entirely by the MOC material. O6: Provides an opportunity for independent research into currently available computer systems. 'Application' was intended to mean a particular piece of software and the PCs relate to matching a computer system (including operating environment) to the requirements of that software. An alternative interpretation could be matching both hardware and software to a functional requirement (such as word processing, CAD or accounting). SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units 5

6 3 Exemplar assessments Stand Alone Computer System Support. Written Submission Describe the hierarchy of systems software in MS-DOS in either text or diagrammatical format. 2. Install and configure 2 commercial applications and 2 shareware applications and demonstrate their use. The software used will depend on what is available to the individual centre however standard shareware utilities ie Winzip would be suitable. 3. Briefly describe the functions provided by a user interface such as WINDOWS. 4. Name TWO items of Utility Software used during the course and describe their purpose. 6 SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units

7 D3C0 04 Stand Alone Computer System Support (Microsoft) Stand Alone Computer Systems Support. Written Submission 2 Jobsworth is an employment agency specialising in providing staff with Information Technology skills to the Bo'ness and Blackness area. The partners in the firm have come to the conclusion that they need to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century and feel that some kind of improved computer system would be beneficial in the running of their business. At the moment most of their information is held on paper files and card indexes. Secretarial functions are carried out by a typist using Word for Windows on a Personal Computer (PC) that has an processor and with a typical hardware configuration. The preparation of wages for company staff and placed staff is dealt with using the Kalamazoo manual system and accounts are processed using Sage Accountant +. The existing manual systems keep data in the following categories:- 1. Records relating to staff who have been placed in the past. 2. Staff with potentially employable skills. 3. Organisations who have used the agency to help to identify potential temporary and full-time staff on their behalf. 4. Job categories into which potential staff might be placed (according to their skills base). The partners would prefer that two systems were made available. Firstly, a new system to administer the very large amounts of manual data described above and secondly, they would like to upgrade the existing hardware to improve response time and functionality. New software for the existing accounts, and possibly additional software to automate the wages function, would also be given consideration if a suitable system were to be advocated; but the existing hardware and software must still be supported in the short term. SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units 7

8 The partners are also intrigued by the idea of allowing the placed staff to record their working-hours electronically so that the commission due to the company can be more rapidly calculated and the employing companies billed more accurately. Your task is to select suitable systems to match the needs of this company. You are required to submit a detailed system and hardware specification with costings for the two required systems. Your report must cover the areas detailed below and give detailed descriptions of all of the following: 1. Type and speed of processors 2. Memory sizes 3. Disk capacity, access speed, and physical security of data held on magnetic media. 4. All necessary peripherals 5. Costs 6. Functionality and future expansibility 7. Implementation timescale 8. Compatibility with existing systems 9. Health and Safety requirements. 10. Data Protection legislation. Note: You may use any manuals, books, magazines, internet sites or other sources of information and up to date material relevant to the presentation of a complete report. 8 SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units

9 D3C0 04 Stand Alone Computer System Support (Microsoft) Example Responses Written Submission 1 Item 1: A written or diagrammatic representation of the different levels of systems software may be in the form of concentric circles, table or description. ie Kernel BIOS Device Drivers User interface Item 3: Typical functions would include running applications, file management, printing, housekeeping etc. Written Submission 2 No specific specification is given here as this will change dramatically as hardware advances, the main points to check are that the hardware is capable of running the software specified and that there is scope to upgrade at a later date. Checks should also be made that all the required peripherals and cables have been specified. Fault Log Appendix B contains a sample fault recording sheet which candidates can use to record faults. SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units 9

10 Appendix A Checklists Cross-reference checklist: Stand Alone Computer Systems Support Note the column entitled Evidence Reference points to either an assessment in the exemplar pack or a reference to one or more of the topics covered by the MOC course material (in the form 12.4). As the MOC material does not map to a particular unit the full topic list in included as appendices to the Group Award Requirements. OUTCOME 1 USE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT FEATURES TO MANIPULATE A COMPUTER SYSTEM PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Evidence Reference Pass Operating system and GUI commands and functions are used correctly. Throughout Appropriate operating system and GUI Throughout commands and functions are selected to perform specified tasks. On-line help system is used effectively File attributes are determined and amended. 6.2 OUTCOME 2 DESCRIBE THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF SYSTEMS SOFTWARE IN A MICROPROCESSOR BASED SYSTEM PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Evidence Reference Pass The hierarchy of systems software is correctly established The role of an operating system in managing resources is correctly described. Common types of operating system are correctly identified. The functions of a user interface are accurately identified. The role and function of utility software are correctly identified and described Written Submission SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units

11 D3C0 04 Stand Alone Computer System Support (Microsoft) OUTCOME 3 INSTALL AND CONFIGURE OPERATING ENVIRONMENTS PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Evidence Reference Pass Common operating environments are 14.2 installed correctly. Operating environments are configured to 14.5 match system resources. Operating environments are configured to optimise system performance System files are created and edited to match user requirements OUTCOME 4 INSTALL AND CONFIGURE APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Evidence Reference Pass Types of available application software are correctly described Application software is installed correctly Application software is configured to match system resources. Installation of software conforms with legal requirements and organisational standards Throughout SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units 11

12 OUTCOME 5 MANAGE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO FACILITATE INFORMATION PROCESSING PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Evidence Reference Pass An efficient hierarchical file storage structure 5.3 is designed and set up to meet user and application requirements. Common file types are identified, appropriately named and used correctly A file naming convention is established which conforms to user, application and institutional requirements. Correct procedures are followed for the protection of files and backing storage media. Systematic fault finding routines are implemented and non-routine conditions are reported clearly and accurately , 6.5, 6.6, , 29.4, OUTCOME 6 SELECT SYSTEMS TO MATCH PARTICULAR APPLICATIONS. PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Evidence Reference Pass Operating environment matches application Written Submission 2 requirements. Processor(s) of system match application Written Submission 2 requirements. Memory and disk storage are appropriate to Written Submission 2 the application. All essential peripherals are specified and Written Submission 2 are appropriate to the application. User and institutional requirements are met. Written Submission 2 12 SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units

13 Fault Recording Sheet Machine ID Location User Name Processor Hard disk Screen Peripherals * Software * * if appropriate to fault type. Machine Identification. Description of fault Simple Repaired Fault Type (tick one) Complex Status of Fault Reported * If repaired indicate how, if reported indicate to whom. Name Form Completed by Class Candidate No Signed Date SQA Assessment exemplars for Higher National Units 13