Fiber
Optic Network Design - For Network Designers and Managers
When
you finish this Fiber U Course, you may take an online
exam for your Fiber U Certificate of Completion.
Intended For:
- Technicians
already working in
fiber optics or just getting
started
- Designers,
contractors and installers of fiber optic cable plants
- Users of
fiber optic cable plants and communications systems
involved in designing and managing networks
- May
be used as preparation for the FOA
CFOS/D
Fiber Optic Network Design Specialist Certification
Level:
- Managerial -
wanting to know about fiber optics network design
- Technician -
enhancing their knowledge, preparing for FOA CFOS/D
exam
- CFOT
(review) -
enhancing and updating their knowledge
Objectives: From this self-study program you should
learn:What
is involved in designing a fiber optic network
- Defining
communications system needs
- How
to create a plan to install the project
- What
paperwork and documentation will be needed for the
project
- How
to choose components appropriate for communications
systems
- How
the proposed routing of the cable plant affects
component choice and installation
- Using
loss budgets to ensure the communications systems will
work over the fiber optic proposed cable plant
- How
to determine what should be tested and documented
- How
to manage the installation
Introduction
This self-study program is designed to introduce the
designer or manager to the process of fiber optic network
design and the implementation of that design in a real
world project. It is intended for those interested in the
process and/or studying for the FOA CFOS/D
Fiber Optic Network Design Specialist Certification,
either as a contractor, installer or end user.
Before any fiber optic project is started, it is necessary
to know what communications systems or networks will be
needed by the user and which locations the cable plant
will connect. With that information, the designer can
begin investigating what communications equipment will be
necessary and the routing of the link, deciding what
installation type and components like cable and hardware
are appropriate and what processes will be used for the
installation. This self-study program will cover these
topics for both premises and outside plant (OSP) fiber
optic installations.
While we find many people think of "design" as drawing or
CAD, that is not covered in this course. Certainly it is
important to create good drawings as part of the
documentation for a project, but that follows what is
included here: understanding the communications needs and
how to design a fiber optic network to provide for those
needs. Designers need to know how to create drawings as
well as other project paperwork, but there is so much
variation in how that part of the project is done -
whether manual drawing or computer graphics - we leave
that to each individual designer.
Managers have responsibility for the network overall,
including the design, installation and operation. They
must approve the design, oversee the paperwork that
defines the network, obtain inputs from installers or
contractors for design and pricing, let contracts, oversee
the installation, approve the installation and operate the
system. Managers must also be prepared for network
restoration planning and, if necessary, the restoration
itself.
- Prerequisites
Student Assignments
Students will be instructed to read the references, watch
videos and take the quizzes (Test Your Knowledge) to
complete the course. Typical networks are
included as design "Case Studies." A number case studies
are included where typical networks are described and
students will design the networks on paper and answer
questions on the case study.
Get
a "Fiber U Certificate of Completion" When You
Complete The Course
After you complete the Fiber U Basic Fiber Optics
online self-study course, you can now take an online
exam and, when you pass the exam, get a "Certificate
of Completion" for this course. You should complete
all lessons including taking the quiz ("Test Your
Comprehension") at the end of every lesson. When you
think you are prepared, you can take an online exam
for a nominal fee ($20) which will give you a
"Certificate of Completion" for this course.
If
you are working on FOA certification, print out
(PDF) your completed case studies from Lesson 8
and save along with your Fiber U Certificate of
Completion for your application for
certification.
How
To Get Your Certificate of Completion For
This Course
When
you finish all lessons, go here to
take the Fiber U Design Certificate
of Completion Exam
Please
note: receiving this Fiber U
Certificate of Completion does not include
FOA certification or membership but it
does become documentation of your
knowledge of fiber optics and should be
part of your portfolio of documented
knowledge, other training and work
experience that can qualify you to apply
for FOA direct CFOT certification through
the FOA "Work to Cert" program.
More
details on getting a Fiber U Certificate of
Completion are on the last lesson. Read
more about the Fiber U Certificate of
Completion program.
For
more information on the FOA and its
certification programs, go to the FOA
page on certification.
For information on the FOA "Work to Cert"
direct certification program for those
with industry experience, go
here.
FOA Certification
FOA offers a specialist certification in fiber optic
network design (CFOS/D) that is available to any CFOT.
Many FOA
schools teach CFOS/D courses. Current FOA members
with appropriate industry experience may apply to take the
online course for credit toward their requirements for the
CFOS/D certification and apply for the certification exam.
Contact the FOA for more details and an application.
Reference Materials For
The Fiber U Design And Management Course
Online FOA Reference
FOA
Reference Guide to Fiber Optics
Reference Textbook
FOA
Reference Guide To Fiber Optic Network Design
With optional reading in these FOA textbooks:
FOA
Reference Guide to Fiber Optics
or
FOA
Reference Guide to Outside Plant Fiber Optics
FOA
Outside Plant Construction Guide
Videos
FOA
YouTube Videos, with individual links as appropriate
Extra Credit Reading
Assignments beyond the basics required for the course will
be listed as extra credit.
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan No. 1: What
is Fiber Optic Network Design And Management?
Lesson Plan No.
2, Planning the Network
Lesson Plan No. 3,
Choosing Components
Lesson Plan No. 4,
Reviewing the Design, Loss Budgets
Lesson Plan No. 5,
Requirements For Testing
Lesson Plan No. 6,
Writing Project Specifications and Documents, Estimating
Lesson Plan No.
7, Planning and Managing Projects
Lesson Plan No.
8, Design Case Studies
How
To Get Your Certificate of Completion For This Course
When
you finish all lessons, go here to take the
Fiber U Design Certificate of Completion Exam
This
information is provided by The Fiber Optic Association,
Inc. as a benefit to those interested in teaching,
designing, manufacturing, selling, installing or using
fiber optic communications systems or networks. It is
intended to be used as an overview and/or basic guidelines
and in no way should be considered to be complete or
comprehensive. These guidelines are strictly the opinion
of the FOA and the reader is expected to use them as a
basis for learning, as a reference and for creating their
own documentation, project specifications, etc. Those
working with fiber optics in the classroom, laboratory or
field should follow all safety rules carefully. The FOA
assumes no liability for the use of any of this material.
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