Module 5 – Computer and Network Technology (Lv 4)

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Overview
Curriculum
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Executive summary

This section covers the infrastructure that underpins modern computing — from cloud services to physical networks. Learners begin with cloud fundamentals, including its history, the main service models (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, NaaS), major platforms, and client/server and serverless approaches. They then study networking principles and protocols — standards, topologies, and the hardware and software that make networks run. A practical strand covers support and troubleshooting, including building and configuring PCs and installing operating systems, before a final focus on routing and switching, addressing, and securing and backing up network devices.

Aims

The section aims to give learners a solid grounding in the technologies that deliver computing and connectivity. It develops their understanding of cloud and networking concepts and their practical ability to assemble, configure, support and secure computer and network systems.

Summary of learning outcomes

LO1	Understand cloud fundamentals, including cloud models, platforms, and client/server and serverless approaches.
LO2	Understand networking principles and protocols, including standards, topologies, hardware and software.
LO3	Be able to support and troubleshoot computer systems, including building PCs and installing operating systems.
LO4	Understand and be able to apply the basics of routing and switching, including secure configuration and backup.

Indicative content

Cloud fundamentals: evolution of cloud computing; SaaS, PaaS, IaaS and NaaS; platforms such as Azure and AWS; client versus server; benefits of serverless.
Networking principles and protocols: Ethernet, TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, common protocols; star, bus and mesh topologies; routers, switches, firewalls, network storage and virtualisation.
Support and troubleshooting: hardware assembly; client and server OS installation, access controls and group policies.
Routing and switching: IP addressing, subnetting and VLANs; securing interfaces, ACLs, and router configuration backup and restore.

Assessment approach

Understanding is checked through matching and scenario quizzes (for example, matching a cloud model to a scenario, choosing a suitable topology, or identifying components in a network diagram) and short subnetting exercises. Practical competence (LO3–LO4) is evidenced through labs — documenting the steps to assemble a PC or a simulation, screenshot-based OS configuration evidence, and described configuration steps or snippets for secure device setup and backup (without exposing real production configurations).