NETWORK DESIGN
Network Design challenges members to demonstrate their understanding of networking concepts and infrastructure through an objective test and a role play scenario. Members apply their knowledge to design, implement, and troubleshoot network solutions that meet the needs of a business or organization.
Event Overview
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Role Play Event
Event Elements: Objective Test and Role Play
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Role Play Time: 20-minute preparation time, 7-minute presentation time
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Digital Technology
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Technology
Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code
Items Provided by FBLA: Two notecards for each competitor, flip chart paper and markers, and secret problem/scenario for role play
Objective Test Competencies
· Network Installation and Configuration
· Network Security and Recovery
· Network Administration
· Network Planning
· Network Protocols, Services, and Access
Test questions and role plays are based on the knowledge statements and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.
District
Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
· Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
· Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
· Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block in the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.
· Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
· Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
· All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
· Competitors cannot be replaced or substituted in between the objective test and role play time.
· If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.
Recognition
· The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.
Event Administration
· This event has two phases: objective test and role play
· Objective Test
o Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
o Objective Test Questions: 100 questions
o This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
o No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
o Competitors on a team must test individually, starting within minutes of each other. Individual test scores will be averaged for a team score.
· Interactive Role Play Presentation
o Preparation Time: 20 minutes
o Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o Question & Answer: None
o The top 5 scoring teams will advance to the role play final round.
o The finalists will be sequestered before the first performance to receive instructions and time assignments. A team entering sequestering after the first performance has begun will be disqualified.
o Competitors will be provided with a single copy of a network design–related scenario or problem at the beginning of their assigned preparation time. This copy must be shared among team members and may only be accessed within the designated preparation area.
o Two notecards will be provided to each competitor and may be used during event preparation and role play presentation. Information may be written on both sides of the notecards. Notecards will be collected following the role play.
o No technology, reference materials, visuals, or props may be used.
o If participating as a team, all team members are expected to actively participate in the role play.
o Judges may ask questions during the presentation as part of the interactive role play format.
o Role play presentations are not open to conference attendees.
o Competition ethics demand that competitors and audience members do not discuss or reveal the role play until the event has ended.
Scoring
· The team-averaged objective test score determines the top 5 teams advancing to role play round.
· The role play round scores only will be used to determine winners.
· Judges must break all ties. Decisions of the judges are final. Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.
Recording of Presentations
· No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
· Participants in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
· FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.
Penalty Points
· Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.
Electronic Devices
· Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, watches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.
National
If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/
Study Guide: Test Competencies and Tasks
Network Installation and Configuration (25 test items)
1. Discuss the functions of routers and modems in home and office networks
2. Describe the features of a SOHO router
3. Discuss configuration of software and hardware firewalls (e.g., rules, ACLs)
4. Describe the range, speed, and requirements for fiber optic cable
5. Describe the characteristics of copper cable
6. Explain IEEE 802 wireless standards
7. Describe the purpose of subnetting, subnet masks, and loopback addresses
8. Describe wireless network configuration (e.g., modem, router, network password)
9. Discuss server installation and configuration in rack and blade infrastructures
10. Discuss the impact of power and temperature on physical network infrastructures (e.g., cooling, uninterruptible power supply)
11. Describe configuration options for printing over a network (e.g., printer share, printer connectivity, print servers)
12. Describe the functions of access points and gateways
Network Security and Recovery (20 test items)
1. Describe the purpose of disaster recovery plans
2. Select plans for disaster recovery and prevention
3. Describe network backup solutions (e.g., cloud storage, NAS, external hard drives)
4. Describe defensive measures against DoS, phishing, and internal threats (e.g., least privilege, third-party service, security policy)
5. Describe methods for mitigating network vulnerabilities (e.g., closing ports, updating OS, maintaining antivirus)
6. Discuss best practices for network security (e.g., least privilege, authentication, encryption)
7. Describe the benefits of Zero Trust principles
8. Explain methods of network access control
9. Describe security features of Windows and Linux-based operating systems (e.g., BitLocker, domains, SELinux)
10. Describe the use of Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
11. Discuss wireless security standards (e.g., WPA, access control lists)
Network Administration (20 test items)
1. Discuss the need for network maintenance (e.g., audits, updates, backups, restores)
2. Describe user account and permission management
3. Explain the purpose and use of Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
4. Discuss common network issues (e.g. slow performance, connection issues, IP conflicts)
5. Use common network command-line tools (e.g., ping, tracert, ipconfig)
6. Discuss the importance of updates and patch management
7. Discuss the role of documentation in network maintenance and troubleshooting
8. Describe tools for monitoring network traffic and performance
9. Describe the use and benefits of load balancing
10. Describe procedures for managing network assets (e.g., users, groups, and printers)
Network Planning (15 test items)
1. Match business requirements to appropriate network design decisions (e.g., topology, physical size, users)
2. Discuss hardware and performance differences between network types (e.g., LAN, WAN)
3. Describe the physical layouts of network topologies (e.g., star, mesh, bus)
4. Discuss the use cases of network topologies (e.g., star, mesh, bus)
5. Select an appropriate network operating system (Windows Server, Linux-based, etc.)
6. Describe the benefits and risks of a peer-to-peer network
7. Discuss the benefits of cloud services for network infrastructure
8. Describe how business needs can restrict and drive network design decisions (e.g., cost, throughput, availability)
9. Explain how network topology decisions impact performance, cost, and availability
Network Protocols, Services, and Access (20 test items)
1. Describe different types of networks (e.g., LAN, WAN)
2. Describe basic network security practices (e.g., encryption, VPN, packet sniffing, authentication)
3. Describe common network attacks (e.g., phishing, spoofing, poisoning)
4. Describe different connectivity technologies (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
5. Discuss the functions of common network devices (e.g., modems, routers, switches)
6. Discuss types of network environments (e.g., peer-to-peer, client-server, thin client)
7. Explain relationships between major network components (e.g., servers, clients, switches)
8. Describe each layer of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model
9. Explain basic networking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP, DHCP, SMP)
10. Discuss the characteristics of network topologies (e.g., star, bus, ring)
11. Describe tools and procedures for troubleshooting networks (e.g., ping, tracert, checking cable connections)