NETWORK DESIGN
Network Design provides members with the opportunity to gain knowledge around networking in technology. This competitive event consists of an objective test and a role play scenario.
Event Overview
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Role Play Event
Event Elements: Objective Test and Role Play
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Role Play Time: 20-minute preparation time, 7-minute presentation time
NACE Connections: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork
Equipment Provided by Competitors: Pencil for objective test and scenario
Equipment Provided by FBLA: Two notecards for each competitor, flip chart paper and markers, and secret problem/scenario for role play
Objective Test & Role Play Competencies
· Network Installation – Planning and Configuration
· Problem Solving/Troubleshooting
· Network Administrator Function
· Configuration of Internet Resources
· Backup and Disaster Recovery
· Configuration Network Resources & Services
District
Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 of the current program year.
· Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
· Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
· Members must stay in an official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.
· Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
· Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (American Enterprise Project, Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report, Partnership with Business Project).
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
· Competitors cannot be replaced or substituted in between the objective test and role play time.
· If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.
Recognition
· The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.
Event Administration
· This event is two rounds: objective test and role play
· Objective Test
o Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
o Objective Test Questions: 100 questions
o This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
o No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
o Competitors on a team must test individually, starting within minutes of each other. Individual test scores will be averaged for a team score.
· Interactive Role Play Presentation
o Preparation Time: 20 minutes
o Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o Question & Answer: None
o The top 5 scoring teams will advance to the role play final round.
o The finalists will be sequestered before the first performance to receive instructions and time assignments. Twenty (20) minutes before their performance time, individuals will receive the case study. A team entering sequestering after the first performance has begun will be disqualified.
o The role play will be a problem or scenario that includes an analysis of a computing environment situation and recommendation for a network solution. The role play will be given to the competitors at the beginning of their assigned preparation time.
o Two notecards will be provided to each competitor and may be used during event preparation and role play presentation. Information may be written on both sides of the notecards. Notecards will be collected following the role play.
o No additional reference materials or props or visuals are allowed.
o If participating as a team, all team members are expected to actively participate in the role play.
o Role plays are interactive presentations; the judges may ask questions throughout the presentation.
o Role play presentations are not open to conference attendees.
o Competition ethics demand that competitors and audience members do not discuss or reveal the role play until the event has ended.
Scoring
· The team-averaged objective test score determines the top 5 teams advancing to role play round.
· The role play round scores only will be used to determine winners.
· Objective test scores will be used to break a tie.
· Decisions of the judges are final.
Recording of Presentations
· No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
· Participants in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
· FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.
Penalty Points
· Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.
Electronic Devices
· All electronic devices such as cell phones and watches of any type must not be brought to the event.
National
Be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/
Study Guide: Test Competencies and Tasks
A. Network Installation—Planning and Configuration
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key functions and subsystems of the network.
2. Define the types of network architecture: work group (e.g., peer to peer) and server based (e.g., domain controlled) and explain how to determine what to use.
3. Identify services delivered by a server, such as application server, communication server, domain/directory server, fax server, file and print server, mail server, and Web server.
4. Gather data to identify customer requirements.
5. Identify and analyze system and network requirements.
6. Identify time, technology, and resource constraints.
7. Identify physical requirements for system implementation.
8. Research product and vendor architecture and equipment specifications/limitations.
9. Prepare cost/benefit/risk analysis.
10. Develop testing strategy.
11. Prepare overall plan for integrating new processes, protocols, and equipment.
12. Analyze facilities’ bandwidth requirements and capacity planning (e.g., power cable/wire conduit).
13. Revise processes/structure based on testing and certification.
14. Identify hardware/software selection criteria.
15. Select and install a LAN/WAN technology that meets defined set of requirements.
16. Assess user needs to determine which network operating systems (OS) to use.
17. Set up/configure workstation-network connections and test network connectivity using a network analyzer.
18. Set up/configure network components (e.g., interface cards, routers, switches).
19. Plan, configure, and optimize a TCP/IP physical and logical network.
20. Install network cabling with proper termination according to appropriate standards.
21. Set up a network-wide printing strategy to meet the needs of users.
22. Identify major considerations faced when installing a network operating system (OS).
23. Install a server operating system.
24. Identify and upgrade desktop and server computer hardware and peripherals.
25. Determine methods for segmenting and balancing the network load including number of servers needed.
26. Describe and give examples of application-specific servers.
27. Identify software licensing requirements and categories.
28. Configure and manage file systems and desktop settings and customize.
29. Evaluate the correctness and effectiveness of implementing the network system.
30. Design security for computers, accounts, and authentication.
31. Determine threats and analyze risks to network perimeters.
32. Design an audit policy and incident response procedures.
33. Basic network topologies.
34. IEEE/Network standards.
B. Problem Solving/Troubleshooting
1. Identify and analyze potential hardware compatibility problems.
2. Identify and analyze precautions included in programs used on networks (e.g., self-metering, security keys, and required configuration settings).
3. Identify network areas in which application problems could exist (e.g., memory allocation, file lock settings, and resource availability).
4. Perform preventative maintenance on computers and peripherals using available diagnostic tools.
5. Perform software license audits.
6. Coordinate security procedures.
7. Restore LAN operating systems and replace LAN hardware components.
8. Execute testing in accordance with established plans and schedule and interpret test results.
9. Document errors reported/tracked and develop central log strategy.
10. Use the appropriate network utility to troubleshoot various connectivity issues.
11. Demonstrate the use of visual indicators and diagnostic utilities to interpret problems.
12. Identify and resolve a network configuration with incorrect protocols, client software misconfiguration, authentication misconfiguration, and insufficient rights/permissions.
13. Describe the sequential steps needed to identify and resolve a wiring or infrastructure problem.
14. Identify TCP/IP routing trouble shooting tools and troubleshoot TCP/IP routing.
15. Optimize and troubleshoot DNS.
16. Minimize impact of problems on productivity (e.g., minimize downtime).
17. Demonstrate knowledge of basic troubleshooting steps.
18. Evaluate problem-solving outcomes to determine whether the problem was solved as intended and to determine needed follow-up actions.
19. Select the most appropriate solution and fix recoverable problems.
20. Assess the impact of changes that affect interfaces.
21. Identify new or replacement networking components needed.
C. Network Administrator Functions
1. Determine file organization (e.g., by owners, users, and privileges).
2. Establish naming conventions for the network, files, accounts, and services.
3. Determine methods for increasing presentation (e.g., segmenting and balancing the network load, resolving channel, and cable bottlenecks).
4. Describe and analyze the role of the network manager and the basic principles of network management.
5. Determine procedures for network optimization and tuning.
6. Determine procedures for managing network assets (e.g., users, groups, and printers).
7. Perform administration functions using network management software.
8. Install and monitor server software applications.
9. Perform system analysis and bandwidth optimization.
10. Perform resource management (e.g., apply standards, address protocols, monitor network activity, perform trend analyses, functional verifications, audits, and monitoring).
11. Respond to system messages.
12. Document actions taken (e.g., backups, virus prevention, and software distribution).
13. Evaluate software activities and execute network diagnostic program for software and hardware.
14. Manage disk resources by planning how resources are shared and by setting up and administering rights (e.g., permissions and quotas).
15. Identify uses and features of e-mail and calendaring and appropriate policies and procedures for implementation.
16. Provide technical support and orientation to network system.
17. Manage and distribute critical software updates that resolve known security vulnerabilities and other stability issues.
D. Configuration of Internet Resources—Web Service, DMZ, FTP, etc.
1. Configure Internet access for a network.
2. Configure IP addresses and name resolution (DHLP, static, etc.).
3. Describe and implement IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) services.
4. Explain and implement Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) authentication.
5. Describe the structure and architecture that make up the domain name system (DNS).
6. Plan, manage, and monitor DNS servers to ensure that they are functioning properly and to optimize network presentation.
7. Explain the characteristics, uses, and benefits of software firewalls and hardware firewalls.
8. Describe the key features of Web servers.
9. Install and configure Web-based services using utilities and HTML-based administration tools.
10. Establish WWW service, FTP service, SNMP service, and NNTP service.
11. Illustrate Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and the purpose of remote access protocols, including Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), and Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP).
12. Distinguish among the following security methods: DMX (including dual-homed and triple-homed firewalls), VLAN, intranet, extranet, PKI.
13. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and operation of wire (e.g., coaxial and fiber optics) and wireless systems.
14. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and operation of fiber optics, analog, and digital circuits.
15. Distinguish between different port numbers.
16. Identify classes of IP addresses.
17. Identify classes of subnets.
18. Identify classes of TCP and UDP.
E. Backup and Disaster Recovery
1. Describe the purpose of a disaster recovery plan for a network.
2. Differentiate between disaster recovery and business continuity.
3. Compare different options of backing up and securing data and restoring a system and perform system backup.
4. Identify common backup devices.
5. Identify the criteria for selecting a backup system.
6. Establish process for archiving files.
7. Select and test a disaster recovery plan.
8. Identify methods for avoiding common computer system disasters (e.g., UPS and RAID).
9. Use the features of a server operating system to prevent a disaster or recover when one occurs.
10. Develop backup process and backup and restore data.
11. Implement backup procedures in accordance with a regular schedule.
12. Configure a shadow copy.
13. Identify and maintain battery backup equipment.
14. Install surge suppression protection.
15. Implement recovery procedures as needed.
F. Configuration Network Resources and Services
1. Identify the purpose of network services and protocols.
2. Identify and monitor your network perimeter including rogue devices, VPN servers and wireless access points.
3. Determine the impact of modifying, adding, or removing network services for network resources and users.
4. Design remote connectivity.
5. Configure network cards and network settings.
6. Describe the purpose and benefits of using a proxy service.
7. Describe the functions of remote access protocols and services, such as telnet, SSH, and remote desktop.
8. Identify and investigate emerging networks and technologies.
9. Configure VLAN to map an IP network.
10. Provide accurate tracking and monitoring of VLAN.
11. Implement security controls such as MAC or DAC to ensure user policies are enabled.
12. Identify common routing protocols.