Pearson BTEC Level 2 Unit 11 Computer Networks Assignment Brief 2026

BTEC Level 2 Unit 11 Assignment Brief

Vocational Scenario Or Context

You have been asked to help design and build a network and computing solution for your friend’s music shop, ‘First Music’.

‘First Music’ does not have any computer equipment so your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans.

‘First Music’ will sell new and used music and allow customers to get ‘online’ in the store and download music. You are also planning to offer classes on how to download music and configure MP3 devices.

It’s important to note that:

• customers must be able to download music
• the staff must be able to search for music
• the manager has asked for centralised printing
• one member of staff will set up users, and monitor and maintain the store’s computers and network
• the network must be cost effective
• the store needs to have a suite of application software tools to effectively download music and facilitate management of the music and the music shop the network must be secure.
• It has been decided that the following are required for the computer network:
• Three high-spec computers – one computer to be used for sales and stock control, one computer for downloading music and for use in the classes for people learning how to use MP3 players, and one computer to be set up in the manager’s office.
• An operating system and application software.
• They will need at least five shared folders and seven shared files, with different access permissions for different users.
• At least one shared hardware network resource, e.g. a printer, a scanner, an external storage device.
• The store will have at least three network users, one of whom must be a network administrator with full control over the computer network.
• The network will have to be configured for the users, e.g. to be able to add more users, remove existing users, change passwords(s),
• change access rights, set login restrictions, disable user accounts.
• The setup of network utilities is also required, e.g. remote desktop, instant messaging, antivirus, firewall.
• All network users will be expected to have a username and password to access the computer network.

You have also been asked to consider the costs involved with setting up a network, in terms of the hardware components and software resources.

The plan for the future is to have both a general information website and a secure website where customers can buy services and products.

The network should also be set up to have additional capacity as the music shop grows

Task 3

Develop And Test A Computer Network

Now that you have designed the network it’s time to connect, set up and configure the network components.

Connect, set up and configure the network. The computer network must have:

• at least two computers
• at least three network users, one of whom is a network administrator
• users sharing at least five folders and seven files, which have different access permissions for the three network users
• at least one shared additional hardware device, e.g. printer
• at least one shared software resource, e.g. internet or email
• configured hardware device(s)
• configured utilities.

Now that the network is set up its time to test:

• the functionality and connectivity of the computer network, i.e. hardware device(s) and software resources, physical connections and electronic communication between devices
• that the network meets their ‘client’ requirements. Repair faults and annotate the designs and test plans the issues discovered and how they have been resolved.Arrange a meeting with your tutor to demonstrate your network. You should discuss the functionality, performance and reliability of the computer network. Use the discussion as a part of the testing process.Consider all of the ideas from testing, user feedback and review to refine the network to improve the reliability and its performance. If it is not possible to apply the improvements, explain how you would ideally apply them.Photographs of problems and their solutions or witness statements and observation records can be used as evidence of this process.Remember to adhere to all health and safety guidelines when undertaking practical activities with electronic equipment.

Reminder

Once complete, you should consider which elements of the design you would like to showcase in your digital portfolio (as part of Unit 3) and also think about how this will fit in with your portfolio design. You should save a copy, in an appropriate format, of the selected documents and/or files for inclusion in your digital portfolio at a later date.

Checklist Of Evidence Required

• Test plan and date.
• Record of feedback from others.
• Photographs of problems and solutions.
• Witness statements/observation records.

Criteria Covered By This Task

Task 4

The Review

It’s now time to complete a review and explain why the final computer network meets the user requirements and fits its intended purpose.

• Evaluate how well the network meets the user requirements, and purpose based on feedback.
• Evaluate the final network against the initial designs.
• Justify any changes that were made throughout the development of the network and explain the rationale for these changes.
• Make at least three recommendations for how you can further improve the network.

You do not need to implement the recommendations.

Checklist Of Evidence Required

Evaluation report.

Criteria Covered By This Task

Sources Of Information To Support You With This Assignment

Textbooks

Allman, E., Jarvis, A., Kaye, A. and McGill, R. (2012) BTEC First in Information and Creative Technology Student Book, Pearson Education Ltd,
978 1 44690 187 8
Textbook designed for this qualification with strong vocational focus.

Tanenbaum, A., Wetherall, D. (2011) Computer Networks, (5th edition), Prentice Hall, 978 0 13212 695 3

An ideal introduction to computer networks.

Websites

http://freevideolectures.com
Various basic computer networks tutorial and videos

www.youtube.com
Various basic computer networks videos

Note To Assessors

We are committed to ensuring that teachers/tutors and learners have a choice of resources to support their teaching and study.

We would encourage them to use relevant resources for your local area such as local employers, newspapers and council websites.

Resources from various publishers are available to support delivery and training for all Pearson and BTEC qualifications so that learners and teachers/tutors can select those that best suit their needs.

Above are some examples of textbooks and websites. Further useful resources may be found at www.edexcel.com/resources/Pages/default.aspx