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  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  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  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. Academy Training Group 
    3. Action for Blind and Disabled 
    4. Action4 
    5. Afrika Tikkun NCC 
    6. Amilak Training Center 
    7. Aspirations Communication Training CC 
    8. Atvance Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    9. Balefile Trading and Services 
    10. Basadipele Skills Development and Training 
    11. BEE Clinic Pty Ltd 
    12. Bells Technical College 
    13. Bokamoso Skills and Economic Development Centre 
    14. CHILI PEPPER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS 
    15. College Africa Group (Pty) Ltd 
    16. Common Vision Young Specialist Trading cc 
    17. COMPUSTEPS COLLEGE (PTY) LTD 
    18. CSL Accountants 
    19. Decade Pulse (Pty) Ltd 
    20. Dee's Training (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Delight Computer Training 
    22. Eagle Computer Training 
    23. Ekasi IT Solutions Centre 
    24. Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre Pty Ltd 
    25. Elangeni Training Institute 
    26. Elchees Software Solutions 
    27. Eshybrand Pty Ltd 
    28. EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    29. Fachs Business Consulting and Training 
    30. Finweb Business Consultancy 
    31. Foster-Melliar (Pty) Ltd 
    32. Fourways Private College 
    33. Futurekids SA (Fochville) 
    34. Global Institute for Capacity 
    35. HAVOHEJ CONSULTANCY 
    36. Hazyview Computer College 
    37. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    38. Hlanganani ICT (Pty) Ltd 
    39. Ikusasalethu Youth Development Project NPC 
    40. Inqubeko Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    41. IT Academy 
    42. IT-HI-Q Training (PTY) Ltd 
    43. Iyam Training Services 
    44. Jeppe College of Commerce and 
    45. K Boneng Consulting Services P 
    46. K Centre Business Enterprise (PTY) LTD 
    47. Keybase Training Solutions Cc 
    48. KN Training Specialist 
    49. KT Mobile Services 
    50. L and P Computer Academy Pty Ltd 
    51. Loomee Group 
    52. LYFE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES (PTY) LTD 
    53. Makhophila Training 
    54. Masakhane Training and Consult 
    55. MBOWA COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    56. Metanoia Ratings PTY LTD 
    57. Mogapi Education Group (Pty) Ltd 
    58. Moving Ahead Development Agenc 
    59. Mpande Technologies cc 
    60. Mufuka Business and Technical 
    61. Musengavhadzimu Media 
    62. Natfin Holdings Pty Ltd 
    63. Ndulita Solutions 
    64. Nedbank Ltd 
    65. Ntandokazi Holdings Pty Ltd 
    66. Octomate Education Pty Ltd 
    67. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    68. Paramixed Pty Ltd 
    69. Pioneer Business Consulting 
    70. Polokwane Technology Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    71. Progressive School of Business 
    72. PRX SCHOOL TEST 
    73. QUALITATIVE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS 
    74. QUARPHIX (PTY) LTD 
    75. Ramotec Business College 
    76. Redefine Human Capital (PTY) L 
    77. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd 
    78. Rostec Technical FET College (Pty) Ltd 
    79. Sabile Human Resources Consult 
    80. SANDM IT TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    81. SED Computer Academy 
    82. SIGNA ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    83. Silulo Ulutho Technologies 
    84. Spears Business and Life Couch Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    85. Spina Consultancy 
    86. Synergistic Covenant Network NPO 
    87. Techtisa (pty) Ltd 
    88. The Finishing College (Pty) Lt 
    89. Titan Trade Technologies 
    90. Tlou Foundation College 
    91. TORQUE TECHNICAL COMPUTER TRAINING PTY LTD 
    92. Trainers Without Borders 
    93. TSP COLLEGE 
    94. TURFLOOP TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    95. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 
    96. Visionary Skill Academy 
    97. VSS College (Pty) LTD 
    98. Vukani Solutions 
    99. Waterberg TVET College 
    100. Wellinkwise Pty Ltd 
    101. Whitestone College 
    102. Xylo Trading 12 (Pty) Ltd 
    103. YITRO INNOVATIONS 
    104. Yonet Training Academy 
    105. ZA WIT (PTY) LTD 
    106. Zealot Business College 
    107. Zikode Development Trust 


    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.