2021 – 2022
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Network Support Technician
Career Cluster:	Information Technology

CCC	
CIP Number	0511100121	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	21 credit hours	
CTSO	Phi Beta Lambda, BPA 	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	15-1152 – Computer Network Support Specialists	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Network Systems Technology AS degree program (1511100112).

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Information Technology career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Information Technology career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to instruction in computer literacy; software application support; basic hardware configuration and troubleshooting; networking technologies, troubleshooting, security, and administration; and customer service and human relations skills.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate proficiency in basic computer network maintenance and support.
02.0	Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of computer networking. 
03.0	Demonstrate an understanding of common operating system concepts and associated practices. 
04.0	Demonstrate fundamental proficiency in network security essentials. 

2021 – 2022
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Network Support Technician
CIP Number:	0511100121
Program Length:	21 credit hours
SOC Code(s):	15-1152

This certificate program is part of the Network Systems Technology AS degree program (1511100112).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate proficiency in basic computer network maintenance and support.  The student will be able to:	
01.01	Describe the main computer components and their functions.	
01.02	Describe the operation of computer systems, including input and output systems, file systems, device management, program loading and execution and data storage.	
01.03	Describe and identify the safe and ethical use of computers.	
01.04	Describe and identify proficiency in connecting to and safely using the Internet.	
01.05	Describe emerging computer technologies and discuss their potential impact.	
01.06	Implement proper procedures for handling and safeguarding equipment.	
01.07	Describe procedures for proper disposal of computer components.	
01.08	Install, configure, maintain and secure computer systems and peripherals following institutional protocol.	
01.09	Configure and update firmware and ROM-BIOS.	
01.10	Implement work order procedures.	
01.11	Design and implement systems redundancy and data backups.	
01.12	Describe effective troubleshooting strategies and techniques to resolve basic hardware, software, and network problems.	
01.13	List the steps in problem solving.	
01.14	Recognize and resolve basic computer configuration problems.	
01.15	Examine and identify the parts of the Windows Registry.	
02.0	
Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of computer networking.  The student will be able to:	
02.01	Explain the use of binary numbers and perform related binary and hexadecimal arithmetic.	
02.02	Describe current network environments.	
02.03	Describe network communications and architecture.	
02.04	Identify network components, media, connectors, applications and protocols.	
02.05	Compare and contrast the OSI and TCP/IP reference models and their layers.	
02.06	Identify and describe current relevant IEEE network standards.	
02.07	Create an IP addressing scheme using Variable Length Subnet Masks (VLSM) and Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR).	
02.08	Identify and discuss issues related to networked environments, such as security, access control, fair use, privacy and redundancy.	
02.09	Identify and discuss issues related to naming conventions for user IDs, email, passwords, and network hosts and devices.	
02.10	Identify standard network topologies and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each topology.	
02.11	Describe the major functions of LAN protocols.	
02.12	Explain the functions of wireless components, standards, hardware, software, and infrastructure design.	
02.13	Configure and manage the TCP/IP protocol stack.	
02.14	Describe how TCP and UDP Port addresses, IP addresses, and MAC addresses function, and how they are used to deliver data across the network.	
02.15	Identify emerging technologies and discuss related technical issues.	
02.16	Design a local area network (LAN), including the specification of architecture, hardware and software.	
02.17	Identify the advantages and use of virtual local area networks (VLANs).	
02.18	Identify and explain wide area network (WAN) concepts.	
02.19	Plan, configure and test a small network and establish baselines.	
02.20	Describe the major functions of network server software components.	
02.21	Install applications on a server and configure clients for network access.	
03.0	
Demonstrate an understanding of common operating system concepts and associated practices.  The student will be able to:	
03.01	Describe the components and functions of major operating systems.	
03.02	Compare and contrast major functions and features of current network operating systems (including directory services).	
03.03	Install, configure and update client and server operating systems.	
03.04	Describe the purpose and uses of computer virtualization.	
03.05	Manage device drivers and software for peripheral devices.	
03.06	Manage the network and firewall settings of a client.	
03.07	Use an operating system for activities such as data and file management.	
03.08	Identify current systems utilities and describe their functions.	
03.09	Use system software to perform routine maintenance tasks such as backup and hard drive defragmentation.	
03.10	Create, use, maintain, backup and restore system configuration files.	
03.11	Describe procedures for uninstalling operating system software.	
03.12	Install and configure client software for connecting to LANs, WANs, and the Internet.	
03.13	Demonstrate knowledge of basic troubleshooting methodology.	
04.0	Demonstrate fundamental proficiency in network security essentials.  The student will be able to:	
04.01	Describe common security threats to, and vulnerabilities of, computer systems and the corresponding best practices for mitigation.	
04.02	Define and describe malicious software and techniques to protect systems from its effects.	
04.03	Describe Denial of Service attacks and means to defend against them.	
04.04	Identify the risks and techniques of data loss and its prevention.	
04.05	Describe the principles and techniques of securing data storage and transmission.	
04.06	Identify current encryption and authentication standards.	
04.07	Describe security policies, including compliance and operational security.	
04.08	Configure access control, identity management and security logging.	
04.09	Describe client and network system security software and related updates.	
04.10	Describe the functions and characteristics of firewalls.	
04.11	Perform a ping sweep to identify network hosts.	
04.12	Perform a port scan to probe network hosts for open TCP and UDP ports.	
04.13	Describe the purpose and operation of network protocol analyzers.	
04.14	Utilize a network protocol analyzer to capture and analyze network traffic for security issues.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

Phi Beta Lambda and Business Professionals of America (BPA) are the intercurricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills.  Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered.  

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml