ICAICT423A
Select cloud storage strategies

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to analyse business requirements and select the best strategies to provide a cloud storage solution.

Application

This unit applies to those engaged in developing a cloud storage strategy for an enterprise.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan for the implementation of a cloud storage solution

1.1. Review business requirements and identify enterprise standards

1.2. Review major characteristics relating to cloud storage and identify advantages and disadvantages of its use

1.3. Review suitability of big data in the cloud storage solution

2. Select strategies for implementing cloud storage solutions

2.1. Research and review major cloud storage applications to determine possible cloud storage business needs

2.2. Identify most relevant business functions for cloud storage deployment

2.3. Evaluate possible providers of cloud storage solutions

2.4. Review service level agreements (SLAs) and identify hidden costs

2.5. Develop a cloud storage strategy according to identified business data deliverables.

3. Evaluate effectiveness of cloud storage

3.1. Review and evaluate the cloud storage technologies for performance, usability and benefit to enterprise

3.2. Document and action required improvements

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

communicate with peers and supervisors in relevant cloud computing technological areas

seek assistance and expert advice from relevant people in cloud computing industry area

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, equipment manuals and specifications

research skills to locate appropriate sources of information regarding cloud storage technologies

analytical skills to analyse and evaluate features of cloud storage technology

safety awareness skills to work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

technical skills to:

identify features of cloud storage technologies

test and evaluate cloud storage technologies

Required knowledge

current trends and directions in information and communications technology (ICT), and major industry technology standards used in cloud storage services

vendor product directions in cloud storage services

current industry hardware and software products, and their general features, capabilities and application, especially where applied to cloud storage technologies

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

review benefits and challenges associated with implementing a cloud storage solution

determine most appropriate cloud storage solutions for the enterprise and effective strategies for their implementation

review implementation of a cloud storage strategy and identify areas for improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

site where cloud storage technologies may be used

cloud storage technologies currently used in industry

SLA documentation relevant to cloud storage scenarios

documentation detailing work health and safety (WHS) standards, environmental guidelines and enterprise requirements

modified equipment for people with special needs.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of features and functions of industry-specific cloud technologies

direct observation of candidate using industry-specific cloud technologies

simulation of uses of industry-specific cloud technologies.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Business requirements may include:

data conversion requirements

hardware and software requirements

interface requirements

operational requirements

user requirements.

Characteristics may include:

data centre hosting

multiple physical locations

networked online storage

virtualisation use.

Advantages may include:

ability to provide security through local machine duplication

ability to off load storage maintenance tasks, such as:

backup

disaster recovery

data replication

hardware purchases

access to a wider variety of web services to support the enterprise

anywhere any time access

pay-as-you-use storage costs

provides the option of off-premises or on-premises storage or a combination of both.

Disadvantages may include:

accessibility:

bandwidth-dependent for access

compliance:

service provider’s legislative requirements may not be compliant with local legislative requirements

data sensitivity:

data more easily compromised

security:

chance of piracy

distributed data – access available at more physical locations

greater chance of virus attack

greater number of people with physical access

supplier stability:

vulnerability to bankruptcy

purchased by competitive company

purchased by legally non-compliant company.

Big data may include:

data access that incorporates high volume, high velocity and a high variety of information with fast in-depth processing

data managed by large information management specialist companies using big data technologies, such as Software AG, Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, SAP, EMC, and HP

data that is distributed within the cloud across a wide number of database servers.

Cloud storage applications may include a wide variety of key consumer applications:

digital photography:

Flickr

Picasa

Office applications:

Google Docs

social networking:

Facebook

MySpace

storage services:

MediaMax

Strongspace

Xdrive

video:

YouTube

web email:

Gmail

Hotmail

Yahoo

website hosting:

GoDaddy

HostMonster

StartLogic.

Service level agreements may include:

cloud storage SLAs focused on the characteristics of the data centre and cloud network:

data throughput

jitter disturbance

mean time between failures

mean time to recovery

mean time to repair

various data rates.

Hidden costs may include:

costs besides basic monthly costs per gigabyte, such as:

copying and deleting files

costs for internet connections

data transfers

metadata functions.


Sectors

General ICT


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Users should confirm licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.