Cisco Exploration Network Fundamentals
CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
Vocational
This topic covers network fundamentals including types of network systems, how technologies operate, the OSI and TCP/IP models, workstation configuration, subnet design, and network improvement recommendations. Learners will gain practical skills in networking.
20
Learning Outcomes
32
Assessment Guidance
32
Key Skills
18
Key Terms
49
Assessment Criteria
Assessment criteria
City & Guilds Level 4 Diploma For ICT Professionals (Systems and Principles)
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems Support
City & Guilds Level 2 Award in ICT Systems and Principles
City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals
City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in ICT Systems Support
City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in ICT Systems Support
City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles
City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals
Topic Overview
The City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems Support is a comprehensive vocational qualification designed to equip students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to support and maintain ICT systems in a professional environment. This diploma covers a wide range of topics, including hardware installation and configuration, network fundamentals, operating systems, security, and customer support. It is ideal for those aspiring to become IT support technicians, helpdesk analysts, or network administrators, as it provides hands-on experience with real-world scenarios and industry-standard tools.
This qualification is structured around core units that build a solid foundation in ICT systems support. Students learn to diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues, set up and manage networks, implement security measures, and communicate effectively with end-users. The diploma also emphasizes professional practices, such as health and safety, data protection, and ethical considerations. By the end of the course, students will be prepared for entry-level roles in IT support or further study in areas like cybersecurity or network engineering.
In the wider context of computer science, ICT systems support is a critical function that ensures the reliability and security of technology infrastructure. This diploma bridges the gap between theoretical computer science concepts and practical application, making it highly valued by employers. It also aligns with industry certifications such as CompTIA A+ and Network+, giving students a competitive edge in the job market.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Hardware troubleshooting: Diagnosing and repairing faults in components like CPUs, RAM, hard drives, and power supplies using tools like multimeters and diagnostic software.
- →Network configuration: Setting up and managing LANs, including IP addressing, subnetting, DHCP, DNS, and troubleshooting connectivity issues with tools like ping and traceroute.
- →Operating system administration: Installing, configuring, and maintaining Windows and Linux OS, including user management, file permissions, and system updates.
- →Security best practices: Implementing firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, and access controls to protect systems from threats like malware and unauthorized access.
- →Customer service skills: Communicating technical information clearly to non-technical users, managing tickets, and following ITIL frameworks for incident and problem management.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Identify and classify common network devices and their roles in data transmission
- Explain how different network technologies (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi) operate and communicate
- Compare the OSI and TCP/IP models and relate each layer to real network functions
- Demonstrate the process of configuring a workstation to connect to a LAN effectively
- Design an IP subnetting scheme to meet specified organisational requirements
- Evaluate an existing network infrastructure and recommend performance improvements
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Classify network devices and media types according to their function and OSI layer operation.
- Explain how data is encapsulated and de-encapsulated across the OSI and TCP/IP models.
- Configure a workstation with appropriate IP addressing, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS for LAN connectivity.
- Design an IP subnetting scheme that meets specified host requirements and minimises address waste.
- Analyse an existing network topology to identify performance issues and propose justified improvements.
- Compare common network technologies in terms of bandwidth, media access, and suitability for different environments.
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Describes different network types (LAN, WAN, etc.) and devices.
- Explains how network technologies (e.g., Ethernet, IP) operate.
- Understands OSI and TCP/IP models and their layers.
- Configures a workstation for network connectivity.
- Designs a sub-network scheme and recommends improvements.
- Describe different network types (LAN, WAN) and common devices.
- Explain the OSI and TCP/IP models and their layers.
- Configure a workstation with IP address, subnet mask, and gateway.
- Design a subnet scheme given a network address and requirements.
- Identify different network types and devices.
- Explain how network technologies operate and communicate.
- Describe the OSI and TCP/IP models and their layers.
- Configure a workstation for network connection.
- Design a sub-network scheme given requirements.
- Correctly identifies network types and devices.
- Explains OSI and TCP/IP layers and their functions.
- Configures a workstation with appropriate IP settings.
- Designs a subnet scheme meeting given requirements.
- Recommends improvements with justification.
- Correctly identify different network types and devices.
- Explain the OSI and TCP/IP models and their layers.
- Configure a workstation with appropriate IP settings.
- Design a subnet scheme using given IP addressing.
- Recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Identifies different network types (LAN, WAN, etc.) and devices.
- Explains how network technologies (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi) operate.
- Describes the OSI and TCP/IP models and their layers.
- Configures a workstation for network connectivity (IP, DNS, etc.).
- Designs a sub-network scheme and recommends improvements.
- Award credit for accurately listing at least five network devices with their primary functions and relevant OSI layers
- Credit for correctly mapping layers of the OSI model to the TCP/IP stack with protocol examples
- Marks for successfully assigning a static IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway on a workstation simulator
- Expect correct calculation of subnet masks and identification of valid host ranges in a given scenario
- Reward well-structured improvement recommendations that address scalability, security, or performance issues
- Describe different network types and devices.
- Explain how network technologies operate.
- Compare OSI and TCP/IP models.
- Configure a workstation for network connection.
- Design a subnet scheme and recommend improvements.
- Identify common network devices and their functions.
- Explain how different network technologies operate and communicate.
- Describe the OSI and TCP/IP models and their relationship.
- Configure a workstation for network connection correctly.
- Design a subnet scheme that meets given requirements.
- Award credit for accurately identifying and describing the purpose of switches, routers, and access points in a given topology.
- Award credit for correctly mapping protocol data units (PDUs) to the appropriate OSI layer during data transfer.
- Award credit for a fully functional workstation configuration, verified through successful ping tests to local and remote hosts.
- Award credit for a subnetting design that uses correct CIDR notation, avoids overlapping subnets, and documents the address range for each segment.
- Award credit for recommendations that reference specific documented performance metrics (e.g., collision rates, bandwidth utilisation) and are cost-effective.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡Memorise the OSI layers and their functions.
- 💡Practice subnetting exercises regularly.
- 💡Use real-world scenarios to explain concepts.
- 💡Memorise the OSI layers and example protocols for each.
- 💡Practice subnetting exercises until fluent.
- 💡Use simulation tools like Packet Tracer for hands-on practice.
- 💡Memorise the OSI layers and their functions.
- 💡Practice subnetting with different class addresses.
- 💡Use command-line tools like ipconfig and ping for verification.
- 💡Memorise the OSI layers and their order.
- 💡Practice subnetting calculations until fluent.
- 💡Use diagrams to illustrate network designs.
- 💡Memorise the OSI layers and their functions.
- 💡Practice subnetting exercises regularly.
- 💡Use diagrams to explain network topologies.
- 💡Memorise the seven OSI layers and example protocols for each.
- 💡Practice subnetting calculations using binary.
- 💡Understand common network troubleshooting commands (ping, ipconfig).
- 💡In practical assessments, verify connectivity using ping and ipconfig/ifconfig before finalising your configuration
- 💡When designing subnet schemes, always first determine the required number of subnets and hosts per subnet
- 💡For theory questions, use clear, labeled diagrams to illustrate network topologies and protocol interactions
- 💡Structure infrastructure improvement answers by addressing physical, logical, and security aspects separately
- 💡Practice subnetting exercises.
- 💡Memorise OSI layer functions.
- 💡Use command-line tools for troubleshooting.
- 💡Use mnemonics to remember OSI layer order.
- 💡Practice subnetting calculations until confident.
- 💡Always justify recommendations with clear reasoning.
- 💡Use mnemonics and layered models to structure your answers when troubleshooting network issues.
- 💡Practise binary-to-decimal conversions and subnet mask calculations regularly to increase speed and accuracy.
- 💡In practical assessments, always verify connectivity step-by-step using commands like ipconfig, ping, and tracert.
- 💡When recommending improvements, frame your suggestions in terms of business benefits (e.g., reduced downtime, increased throughput).
- 💡When answering questions about troubleshooting, always follow a logical step-by-step process. Start with the simplest and most likely causes (e.g., check cables, restart the device) before moving to more complex diagnostics. This demonstrates methodical thinking and maximizes marks.
- 💡For network-related questions, be precise with terminology. Use correct terms like 'switch', 'router', 'subnet mask', and 'default gateway'. Avoid vague language like 'the internet box'. Accurate vocabulary shows depth of understanding.
- 💡In customer service scenarios, emphasize the importance of active listening and clear communication. Examiners look for evidence that you can adapt your language to the user's level of technical knowledge and manage expectations effectively.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Confusing OSI and TCP/IP layers.
- Incorrect subnet mask calculations.
- Failing to consider security in network design.
- Confusing OSI layers and their functions.
- Incorrect subnet calculations leading to wrong addressing.
- Misconfiguring workstation network settings.
- Confusing OSI and TCP/IP layer functions.
- Incorrect subnet mask calculations.
- Misconfiguring IP settings on a workstation.
- Confusing OSI layers with TCP/IP layers.
- Misconfiguring subnet masks leading to incorrect addressing.
- Overlooking security considerations in recommendations.
- Confusing OSI and TCP/IP model layers.
- Incorrect subnet mask calculations.
- Misidentifying network devices like switch vs. hub.
- Confusing OSI layers or their functions.
- Incorrect IP addressing or subnet mask configuration.
- Overlooking security considerations in network design.
- Confusing the roles of hubs and switches, particularly regarding collision domains
- Misunderstanding that TCP/IP is a protocol suite, not a one-to-one replacement of the OSI model
- Incorrectly calculating subnets by miscounting the number of borrowed bits or usable hosts
- Forgetting to set the default gateway during workstation configuration, leading to no external connectivity
- Misunderstanding subnet masks.
- Confusing OSI layers.
- Incorrect IP configuration.
- Confusing the layers of the OSI and TCP/IP models.
- Incorrectly calculating subnet masks or IP addresses.
- Failing to consider security when recommending improvements.
- Confusing the transport layer functions of TCP and UDP, especially regarding reliability and connection orientation.
- Miscalculating subnet boundaries, leading to overlapping address spaces or an insufficient number of host addresses.
- Omitting the default gateway configuration on a workstation, which prevents communication with external networks.
- Providing improvement recommendations without concrete evidence, such as baseline performance data or user requirements.
- Misconception: 'If a computer won't turn on, the power supply is always faulty.' Correction: While the PSU is a common cause, issues can also stem from a faulty motherboard, loose cables, or a dead CMOS battery. Always check connections and test components systematically.
- Misconception: 'Antivirus software alone is enough to keep a system secure.' Correction: Security requires a layered approach, including regular updates, strong passwords, user training, and physical security measures. Antivirus is just one component.
- Misconception: 'Network problems are always due to hardware failures.' Correction: Many issues are caused by software misconfigurations, such as incorrect IP settings, firewall rules, or DNS problems. Always check software settings before replacing hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for CITY & GUILDS LIMITED Cisco Exploration Network Fundamentals
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Pass (P)
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Merit (M)
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Distinction (D)
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of computer hardware components (e.g., CPU, RAM, hard drive) and their functions.
- •Familiarity with common operating systems like Windows and basic file management.
- •Elementary networking concepts such as IP addresses and the difference between LAN and WAN.
Coursework AI Review
Paste your assignment brief and check your draft against its P/M/D criteria
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Network device classification
- OSI and TCP/IP layered models
- Workstation connectivity configuration
- Subnetting design principles
- Network infrastructure optimisation
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Know the diverse types of network systems and devices in common use, Know how different network technologies operate and communicate, Understand OSI and TCP/IP and their relationship to the operation of networksystems, Be able to configure a workstation for connection to a network, Be able to design a sub-network scheme, Be able to recommend improvements to an existing network infrastructure.
- Network devices and topologies
- OSI and TCP/IP models
- IP addressing and subnetting
- Workstation configuration
- Network infrastructure improvement
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