Certified Fiber Optics Designer (FOD) : Competency Requirements
Certified Fiber Optics Designer (FOD) : Competency Requirements
Certified Fiber Optics Designer (FOD) : Competency Requirements
Competency Requirements
Fiber Optics Designers (FOD) are expected to obtain knowledge of basic concepts of fiber
optics design and installation which are applicable to all the functions required to safely and
competently plan and install fiber optics communications cabling in a LAN environment. Once an FOD has
acquired these skills, abilities and knowledge, he or she should be able to enter employment in the
telecommunications cabling field with minimal training in areas unique to the special requirements of individual
products or systems designs. The Fiber Optics Designer should become a profitable and efficient part of the
workforce.
Fiber Optics Designers must be knowledgeable and have abilities in the following technical areas:
®
FOD Competencies 1 © Copyright 2013, ETA International
®
Fiber Optics Designer Knowledge Competencies ETA International
®
FOD Competencies 2 © Copyright 2013, ETA International
®
Fiber Optics Designer Knowledge Competencies ETA International
®
5.9 Discuss the NEC Article 645 requirements for cabling information technology equipment
5.10 Describe the possible cabling scenarios and considerations to take into account when
developing a cost comparison model
®
FOD Competencies 3 © Copyright 2013, ETA International
®
Fiber Optics Designer Knowledge Competencies ETA International
8.0 HARDWARE
8.1 Discuss the reasons why and where hardware is used
8.2 Compare the differences of hardware designs without cable management and with cable
management products
8.3 Define the typical usage areas of rack (frame) mounted patch panel hardware
8.4 Explain how to provide for and install horizontal cable management products
8.5 Explain how to provide for and install vertical cable management products
8.6 Discuss the different styles of hardware adapter (connector) panels
8.7 Define the different types and typical usage areas of wall mountable housing hardware
8.8 Describe work area outlet hardware types
8.8 Define distributed zone architecture
8.9 Describe a fiber zone box (FZB)
8.10 Define other hardware options such as splice closures and splice trays
9.0 CROSS-CONNECT
9.1 Explain that a cross connection is the termination point of a system
9.2 Describe the numerous factors, which will affect how to terminate a cross connection design
including:
9.2.1 Location
9.2.2 Growth
9.2.3 Capacity
9.2.4 Cable type
9.2.5 Fiber count
9.3 Identify the strategy or process used to determine a cross connect fiber termination capacity
including:
9.3.1 Type of optical connector
9.3.2 Number of terminations per connector panel
9.3.3 Number of connector panels
9.3.4 Patch panel density and size
9.4 Identify the strategy or process used to determine a cross connect splice capacity including:
9.4.1 Number of trays a housing can accommodate
9.4.2 Number and types of splices a tray can accommodate
9.4.3 Number and types of cable a tray may accommodate
9.5 Explain the strategy and factors involved in the process of determining space allocation
including:
9.5.1 Growth strategy
9.5.2 Connectivity scheme (interconnect or cross-connect)
9.5.3 Cable routing and jumper management capabilities
9.5.4 Hardware dimensions
9.5.5 Hardware access requirements
9.6 Explain the strategy and factors involved in the process of determining layout including:
9.6.1 Network size
9.6.2 Segregation requirements
9.7 Define the basic rules of fiber jumper management
®
FOD Competencies 4 © Copyright 2013, ETA International
®
Fiber Optics Designer Knowledge Competencies ETA International
12.0 INTERNETWORKING
12.1 Compare and contrast characteristics of internetworking physical media to include:
12.1.1 Physical media
12.1.2 Logical architectures
12.1.3 Communication technologies
12.2 In the network describe the role of a:
12.2.1 Repeater
12.2.2 Hub
12.2.3 Bridge
12.2.4 Switch
12.2.5 Router
12.3 Identify differences between switched and routed network design considerations
13.0 ETHERNET
13.1 Describe the genesis of Ethernet (IEEE 802.3)
13.2 Explain Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) technology
13.3 Describe the various Physical Layer Medium Dependent (PMD) speeds at which a
standards-based implementation of Ethernet operates
13.4 Describe the features, functions and components of the 1000 Mbps “Gigabit” Ethernet
13.5 Describe the features, functions and components of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet
13.6 Define “differential mode delay” and the purpose of a Mode Conditioning Patch Cord
13.7 Differentiate between the operating ranges for Ethernet IEEE 802.3 series to include:
13.7.1 Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) options
13.7.2 Nominal speed
13.7.3 Light source and wavelength
13.7.4 Overfilled Launch Bandwidth (OFL)
13.7.5 Effective Modal Bandwidth (EMB)
13.7.6 Maximum supportable distances
®
FOD Competencies 5 © Copyright 2013, ETA International
®
Fiber Optics Designer Knowledge Competencies ETA International
®
FOD Competencies 6 © Copyright 2013, ETA International
®
Fiber Optics Designer Knowledge Competencies ETA International
16.3 Compare the alternatives to a standard plug and play design to include:
16.3.1 Star topology with Main Distribution Area (MDA)
16.3.2 High density truck cables from the Main Distribution Area (MDA) to the Zone
Distribution Area (ZDA)
16.4 Describe the ANSI/TIA-942 recommended compliant design (star topology) for the Storage
Area Network (SAN)
®
FOD Competencies 7 © Copyright 2013, ETA International
®
Fiber Optics Designer Knowledge Competencies ETA International
20.5 Explain the purpose of mandrel wrapping during reference and system test
20.6 Determine proper ANSI/TIA-568-C (1, 2, or 3 jumper) reference based on the optical fiber link
architecture
20.7 Describe the purpose of Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) testing
20.8 Describe the purpose of chromatic dispersion testing
20.9 Describe “polarization mode dispersion” testing
20.10 Breakdown a Link Loss Budget Calculation to include:
20.10.1 Determine fiber loss at operating wavelength
20.10.2 Determine connection loss
20.10.3 Determine splice loss
20.10.4 Determine total system budget loss
Suggested Study Materials and Resources for ETA Fiber Optics Designer Certification:
Fiber Optic Design for Multimode and Single-mode Optical Local Area Networks; Corning Cable Systems
LLC; FSD400-R7.M5; 2009.
http://catalog2.corning.com/CorningCableSystems/en-US/catalog/DocumentLibrary.aspx
Cabling: The Complete Guide to Copper and Fiber-Optic Networking, 4E; Andrew Oliviero, Bill Woodward;
ISBN 978-0470477076; Sybex, Inc; July 2009; Paperback; 1144 ppg.
Troubleshooting Optical Fiber Networks: Understanding and Using Optical Time-Domain
Reflectometers, 2E; Duwayne Anderson, Larry Johnson, Florian Bell; ISBN 978-0120586615; Elsevier
Academic Press; May 2004; hardcover; 437 ppg; 800-545-2522
Technology Series Videos and CDs; The Light Brigade, 800-451-7128, www.lightbrigade.com
Technicians Guide to Fiber Optics, 4E; Donald J. Sterling; ISBN 1-4018-1270-8; Delmar Learning;
Dec 2003; hardcover; 384 ppg; Available through ETA 800-288-3824, www.eta-i.org
Fiber Optic Installer's Field Manual; Bob Chomycz; ISBN 0-07-135604-5; McGraw-Hill; Jun 2000;
softcover; 368 ppg; —Available through ETA at 800-288-3824, www.eta-i.org
Fiber Optic Installer and Technician Guide; Bill Woodward, Emile Husson; ISBN 978-0782143904; Sybex,
Inc; July 2005; hardcover; 496 ppg; Available through ETA 800-288-3824, www.eta-i.org
Understanding Fiber Optics, 5E; Jeff Hecht; ISBN: 978-0131174290; Prentice-Hall; Apr 2005; hardcover; 800
ppg
Introduction to Fiber Optics, 3E; John Crisp, Barry Elliott; ISBN 978-0750667562; Newnes; Dec 2005;
paperback; 245 ppg
Continued Suggested Study Materials and Resources for ETA Fiber Optics Designer Certification:
Fiber Optic Theory & Applications; Jeffrey Dominique; 1993; FNT Publ.; paperback www.f-n-t.com
Guide Design and Implement Local and Wide Area Networks, 3E; Michael Palmer and Bruce Sinclair,
ISBN 978-0619216115; Course Technology; June 2012; paperback; 250 ppg
Optical Networking Crash Course; Steven Shepard; ISBN 007-1372083; McGraw-Hill Co.; July 2008;
paperback; 288 ppg
Optical Networking: A Beginner’s Guide; Robert C. Elsenpeter; ISBN 978-0072193985; McGraw-Hill Co.;
Dec 2001; paperback; 544 ppg
Optical Networking & WDM; Walter J. Goralski; ISBN 978-0072130782; McGraw-Hill Co.; Jan 2001;
paperback; 556 ppg
Designers Guide to Fiber Optics; AMP Corp., Harrisburg, PA 17105; ASIN B000IU64O; 1982; paperback; 209
ppg
National Electrical Code, 2011; National Fire Protection Assn., Sept.,2010; www.nfpa.org
®
FOD Competencies 8 © Copyright 2013, ETA International
®
Fiber Optics Designer Knowledge Competencies ETA International
®
FOD Competencies 9 © Copyright 2013, ETA International