NETWORKING infrastructures

Networking Infrastructures provides members with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge around competencies in network administration. This competitive event consists of an objective test. It aims to inspire members to learn about networks in today’s connected workplace.

Event Overview

Division: High School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Digital Technology

NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Critical Thinking, Technology

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

· Networking Basics

· Network Topologies and Architecture

· Network Security

· Network Protocols and Standards

· Network Hardware and Connectivity

Test questions are based on the knowledge areas 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 in an 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 (American Enterprise Project, Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report, Partnership with Business Project).
·         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.
·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

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 is an objective test administered at the SLC.
·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site.

Tie Breaker

·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         All electronic devices such as cell phones, headphones, and watches of any type are not to be brought to the testing site.

National

Be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/

Study Guide: Competencies and Tasks

Networking Basics (20 test items)

1. Discuss characteristics and types of LANs (e.g., SOHO, enterprise, datacenter)

2. Discuss the functions of the physical and data link layers of the OSI model

3. Discuss the functions of the network and transport layers of the OSI model

4. Discuss the functions of the session, presentation, and application layers of the OSI model

5. Explain how data travels across networks (e.g., packets, routers, switches)

6. Describe how devices receive an internet connection (e.g., ISP, equipment, cabling)

7. Describe the purpose of IP addresses, MAC addresses, and subnetting

8. Discuss differences between IPv4 and IPv6

9. Identify IPv4 address classes

Network Topologies and Architecture (20 test items)

1. Give examples of peer-to-peer and client-server networks

2. Discuss the characteristics of different types of networks (e.g., LAN, MAN, WAN)

3. Recommend network topologies according to business requirements (e.g., bus, mesh, star)

4. Explain characteristics of network topologies (e.g., star, bus, ring, mesh)

5. Discuss wireless connectivity options for small and large-scale networks

6. Explain use cases for Infrastructure, Platform, and Software as a Service (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS)

7. Discuss benefits, costs, and risks associated with cloud architectures

8. Explain factors that affect range, speed, and reliability of wireless connections

9. Describe characteristics of 5G networks

Network Security (25 test items)

1. Explain the differences between risks, vulnerabilities, exploits, and threats

2. Identify internal and external sources of risk and vulnerabilities (e.g., zero day, employees, outdated software)

3. Describe basic forms of network security (e.g., user management, permissions, encryption, authentication)

4. Discuss malware protection measures (e.g., antivirus, filtering, patch management)

5. Describe characteristics of DoS attacks and forms they can take (e.g., botnets, overload, DDoS)

6. Describe common network attacks (e.g., phishing, spoofing, poisoning)

7. Describe confidentiality, integrity, and availability

8. Describe vulnerability mitigations (e.g., closing ports, updating software, antivirus)

9. Explain the importance of hashing, digital signatures, and certificates in network security

10. Describe characteristics of authentication methods (e.g., MFA, SSO, remote authentication)

Network Protocols and Standards (20 test items)

1. Explain common transfer protocols (e.g., FTP, SFTP, SMTP)

2. Explain the relationship between DNS, DHCP, and IP addresses

3. Describe 802.11 wireless standards (e.g., range, speed, frequency)

4. Describe characteristics of 802.3 wired standards (e.g., range, speed, frequency)

5. Characterize TCP and UDP

6. Describe dynamic routing protocols (e.g., BGP, EIGRP, OSPF)

7. Identify well-known ports reserved for specific protocols (e.g., port 22 reserved for SFTP and SSH)

8. Describe the use of network address translation (NAT) by networked devices

9. Describe wireless encryption standards (e.g., WPA2, WPA3)

Network Hardware and Connectivity (15 test items)

1. Discuss the functions of common network devices (e.g., modems, routers, switches)

2. Discuss the function and characteristics of network adapters (e.g., NIC, virtual adapters, PCIe adapters)

3. Describe Ethernet cable types (e.g., STP, UTP, coaxial)

4. Describe fiber optic cable types and connectors

5. Analyze the benefits of rack and blade server infrastructures

6. Describe the equipment needed to connect to the internet

7. Discuss the use of NAS and RAID hard drive configurations