RESIDENTIAL/MDU

OUTSIDE
PLANT
OUTDOOR
CELL SITE

MICROWAVE
SMALL CENTRAL BACKHAUL
CELL OFFICE

FIBER TO
THE HOME CATV
HEADEND INTELLIGENT
BUILDING

INDOOR
WIRELESS
COVERAGE

DATA
CENTER

Understand the Passive Infrastructure

that Underpins Your Network
Online Training for Network Professionals
 Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network

Table of Contents

3 Introduction

4 Chapter 1
What is Passive Infrastructure Training?

7 Chapter 2
The Benefits of Passive Infrastructure
Training Online

11 Chapter 3
Exploring Training Benefits For Individuals
and Training Managers

13 Chapter 4
Recommended Passive Infrastructure
Training Courses

22 Conclusion

2

Introduction
Global telecommunications
infrastructure demand
is continually advancing.
Growth estimates predict
the fiber optic market alone
to be worth c.$3.72 billion
by 2022. Predictions for
the Internet of Things (IoT)
also expect that by 2020,
between 20 to 30 billion
devices will be connecting
to networks; clearly the
market is increasing.
3
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
For anyone who works with passive network infrastructure
(cables, connectors, antennas, panels, shelves or frames), this
is huge news, presenting substantial opportunities for career
growth, business growth and industry recognition.
However:
Staying up to date in an ever-growing, ever-evolving market is
difficult. To make the most of opportunity, accessible passive
infrastructure training is the gateway to success.
Designed to help both individuals and training managers stay
ahead of the curve, this eBook will:
Explore key benefits of passive infrastructure training
See how online training makes staying up to date easy
Review specific benefits of online training for both
individual and training managers
Provide recommendations on the best passive
infrastructure courses to take
1
Global Fiber Optics Market will reach USD 3.72 Billion by 2022: Zion Market Research -
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/01/23/909814/0/en/Global-Fiber-Optics-
Market-will-reach-USD-3-72-Billion-by-2022-Zion-Market-Research.html
2
http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3165317
https://www.ihs.com/Info/0416/internet-of-things.html
https://www.ericsson.com/res/docs/2016/ericsson-mobility-report-2016.pdf
https://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?type=press-release&articleId=1771211
 Chapter 1

What is Passive Infrastructure Training?

Mobility Capacity C

C
 Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network

Chapter 1

What is Passive Infrastructure Training?

Why invest time, budget With the infrastructure industry growing year on year, now is a
great time to invest in training on the infrastructure technology
or both on passive that underpins the wireline and wireless networks that we all
take for granted today.
infrastructure training?
Passive infrastructure Transmission media Physical layer
Whatever the term used, how data gets from A to B, relies
on the infrastructure technology used; whether in an office
building, MDU (Multi Dwelling Unit) or SFU (Single Family
Unit); stadium, arena, or campus; central office, head-end or
datacenter; or the many types of wired or wireless outside
plant (OSP) networks.

The term passive Infrastructure denotes the widest possible

coverage of transmission media used in networks today
copper (twisted pair and coax), fiber optic, RF wireless and
microwave. As the name suggests, the focus is on the parts of
the network often hidden in the wall, underground or above
the streets, rather than the active components of a network
that often get most attention. Passive Infrastructure Training is
designed to give students a firm grounding in the connectivity
used to and from active devices on a network.

Because it is passive, passive infrastructure is often forgotten

about, and therefore is not deemed the most exciting of
technologies. However, as no user device would work
efficiently without it, understanding all types of network
infrastructure is fundamental to happy users and subscribers.

5
 Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network

Chapter 1

What Can You Expect
From Passive Infrastructure
Training?
From an engineers perspective, passive infrastructure training
presents a number of opportunities for knowledge building.
Training can offer:
Practical Topics - Enhanced understanding of the
technology behind all types of passive infrastructure and
their applications, with complete coverage of topics like
copper and fiber optic cabling, wireless and microwave.

No Pre-Requisite Required - Courses are of interest to

anyone working with passive infrastructures, and all
technical abilities.

Easy Access - With training comes access to a course

library, with regularly updated resources available both
during and after your course has been completed.

Comprehensive Online Video Webcasts - Multimedia

classes and assessments make completion an achievement
worthy of recognition, while engaging and interesting. With
online classes you can train to your schedule and learn on
the go; from your computer, tablet or mobile.

Expert, Experienced Instruction - Experienced training

developers are industry experts; dedicated to practical
instruction and support to ensure you understand what can
be complex material.

Recognized Certification* - Certificates and Photo ID

badges are available upon request for each individual course.

Enhanced Career Prospects - Self-paced training that

prepares you to further your career in networking and
infrastructure roles.

Learning Support - Easily contactable support team to

offer practical, practiced advice, to support you throughout
your training.

*
Training certification on its own does not infer or imply membership of the CommScope
PartnerPRO Network or any other CommScope solution program. For further details of
the PartnerPRO Network, visit www.commscope.com/PartnerPRO.

6
 Chapter 2

The Benefits of Passive Infrastructure

Connected
Training Onlineand Efficient Data Center

Connected and Efficient Buildings

 Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network

Chapter 2

The Benefits of Passive Infrastructure

Training Online

Why online training? When most infrastructure professionals think about training,
they picture having to schedule regular time out of their work
calendar to go to a classroom, run through the syllabus, and
complete a certification within a set timeframe.

Yet as technology (and the infrastructure that supports

it) expands and evolves, this traditional training model is
increasingly outdated.

Choosing online infrastructure training over classroom learning

makes maintaining regular education easier for individuals.
Online training and resources are up to date and available,
enabling the training to be flexible, fast-moving and adaptable
in the face of a rapidly changing and expanding industry.

Key advantages online training

The benefits of online include:

Saved time - Online training doesnt need to be scheduled,

so doesnt interrupt work, or impact capacity

Saved budget - Time and expense in travelling to courses is

avoided

Consistent training - Training managers know exactly what

the course will contain for each student - anywhere in the
world

Ease of securing management buy in - Online training

minimizes barriers to training adoption such as lost time
and resource

Accessibility and flexibility - Training can be taken 24/7,

7 days a week to suit individual requirements

8
 Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network

Chapter 2

Certifications on demand - Theres no waiting around to

enrol on scheduled classes

Online access - Courses and support materials can be

accessed any time via any online device. This offers the
additional benefit of resource availability to support on-site
work

Paced to suit the individual - Training doesnt have to

be completed in one sitting, and individuals can plan to
their schedule

No travel expenses - Online training is accessible from

anywhere, meaning there are no travel or accommodation
expenses, plus impact on everyday work schedules and
income are reduced

70/20/10 development - 70% of learning comes from

real life experience, 20% comes via feedback from
managers or supervisors and 10% comes via formal
training. Online training supports the 70/20/10
development model, offering a consistently available
point of reference, learning material, and support to help
infrastructure professionals while on-site and learning via
practical experience

Multilingual - Online training can be made available in

multiple languages to support student preferences

9

Chapter 2
How to find the right online
passive infrastructure
training?
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
With many training options available, what makes a training
course or certification stand out beyond the next?
To help with the selection process, below are points to
consider when selecting training courses:
Do the courses support a full range of student abilities and
knowledge needs?
Is certification offered across the required range of topics
and applications?
What resources does the training provider have to keep
courses relevant and up to date? Is the providers training
credible and well known?
How is the training delivered? Are students free to learn at
their own pace?
How the course is assessed? Is an assessment required?
Review what support is available. Are study resources
available after the course is complete?
What certification will students receive after passing the
course? For example, do they receive a certificate, ID badge
etc?
Is the online training portal easy for staff to access and use?
Is training widely accessible across all necessary devices?
10
 Connected and Efficient Buildin
Chapter 3

Exploring Training Benefits For

Individuals and Training Managers

General

Chapter 3
Exploring Training Benefits For Individuals
and Training Managers
As weve seen in earlier Specific benefits of training for both individual
chapters, investing in
passive infrastructure
training makes sense from
multiple perspectives. For
network solution providers,
these benefits can lead
to business growth, and
a more qualified and
productive workforce.
12
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
Engineers and Training Managers
For individual Engineers, online training means:
The ability to gain certification and progress in RF and
network engineering, communications technology, and
other fields
Practical topics and expert instruction to improve
understanding of the importance of passive infrastructure
and its applications
Enhanced prospects for fiber optic and infrastructure
related jobs - now, and in future
Improved skills as a result of better understanding of
network infrastructure principles and applications
User-friendly training with all the benefits of classroom
courses - such as training certificates and ID badges
For Training Managers, online training means:
Flexible training for teams of all abilities and specialisms
Training support for teams regardless of their location
An effective way to keep teams up to date with the latest
information, regulation and best practices
Support for both new staff, and staff who need updating
A cost-effective and adaptable training option that lets
teams learn at a pace that suits them
Enhanced staff productivity as training integrates easily
with everyday work schedules
Improved employee retention as staff are better skilled, and
productivity is enhanced
Chapter 4

Recommended Passive Infrastructure

Training Courses

Connected and Efficient Data C

Connected and Efficient Buildin

 Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network

Chapter 4

Recommended Passive Infrastructure

Training Courses

Now you know the
benefits, business value and
future proofing advantages
of passive infrastructure
training, the next step is to
start learning.
Typically the best way to gain experience of a training solution
is to try it, so below, weve listed seven infrastructure courses
covering a range of network infrastructure solutions and
applications. Students are provided with a photo ID badge and
printable certificate post-assessment.

14

Chapter 4
1. [SP6500] RF Wireless Infrastructure
Fundamentals
This course will suit anyone
involved in Wireless
communications, and
addresses a range of
ability levels; from those
just starting out, to those
involved in specifying and
designing, as well as RF/
RAN Engineers.
Topics covered include wireless
terminology, cabling, antennas,
modulation schemes, spectrum,
data rates, radio channels and
microwave backhaul. Other topics
included are antenna design, fiber
optics, fault finding, PIM and
VSWR.
With this course students will learn
the basics of RF wireless systems
and infrastructure, and understand
the components involved in
creating a successful radio link.
Estimated study time: 5h
Webcast duration: 2h 58m
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
This course will:
Help students understand the basics of wireless systems
and infrastructure
Detail need-to-know terms used in wireless, including units
of measurement
Discuss wireless design and the components involved from
one end to the other
Explore cellular transmission, covering past, present and
future technologies from 1G to 5G and WiFi
Review different cabling options and examine Antenna
theory and design
Illustrate transmission methods; including modulation
schemes, data rates and spectrum
Explore ways to increase antenna coverage to meet ever
increasing wireless demands
Examine complexities of connectivity such as Link Budget,
Path Loss, Signal to Noise Ratio, Cell Foot Print and coverage
Consider Cell Site Design - this includes antennas, jumpers,
feeders, filters, combiners and amplifiers
Explain the detail of RF measurements at a Cell site,
including line sweeping and VSWR
Show students the importance of good connections, and
the resultant PIM issues of poor connections
Provide an introduction to Microwave backhaul v fiber options.
Enrol for the [SP6500] RF Wireless Infrastructure
Fundamentals course here.
15

Chapter 4
2. [SP4420] Fiber Optic Infrastructure Specialist
This course will suit
anyone involved in fiber
optic communications,
supporting a wide range
of ability levels and
experience.
Exploring fiber types, connectors,
apparatus, termination, design,
losses, installation, planning,
inspection and testing, the
course is designed to improve
your understanding of fiber
optic cabling, and covers the
communications, fiber transmission
and components required to
support it.
Estimated study time: 9 hours
Webcast duration: 7h 20m
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
This course will:
Explain the market trends and development for fiber optics
Investigate fiber transmission theory
Explore different fiber types and assess suitability for the
types of applications run over them
Show the various manufacturing processes involved
Help students make informative decisions on cable design
and alternative construction methods to suit various
environments
Explore connector types and termination methods
Show administration solutions such as fiber shelves, fiber
polarity and duplex
Review fusion splicing, and external plant termination
into housings
Help students to understand the requirements for
intra- and inter- linking buildings with fiber and the
necessary considerations to be taken into account
Discuss the importance of cleanliness and how to inspect
fibers connectors
Look at project planning, safety, rights of way and
responsibilities
Enrol for the [SP4420] Fiber Optic Infrastructure Specialist
course here.
16

Chapter 4
3. [SP1000] Infrastructure Solutions for
Broadband Applications
This course is designed
to provide a broad
insight into all areas of
Broadband Access and
FTTx infrastructures. It
will suit anyone involved
in the design, installation
and project management
of infrastructures for
Broadband Access, HFC,
FTTx and PON solutions.
Topics covered include fiber types,
connectors, apparatus, termination,
design, losses, installation, planning,
inspection and testing.
Estimated study time: 9 hours
Overall content duration: 6hr 41m
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
This course will:
Help students to understand the infrastructure solutions
that support Broadband Access Networks
Review the impact that fiber has had over copper in the
broadband market, as it offers higher speeds and greater
bandwidth
Review copper based network technologies including
CATV, DOCSIS, G.Fast
Look at optical networks including HFC, RFoG and PON
and learn where these are used today
Detail the topologies and architectures of FTTx networks
Show ways of connecting and splitting fibers in the field
Help students understand loss budgets and contributors
Examine the latest advances in wave division multiplexing,
and the fiber cables than can be used to support this
Detail different fiber cable characteristics, and what each
can have on impact signal quality
Review network deployment cost exercises and compare
different network architectures
Enrol for the [SP1000] Infrastructure Solutions for Broadband
Applications course here.
17

Chapter 4
4. [SP8850] Pre-Terminated Data Center
Solutions
Created for Data Center
infrastructure designers,
technicians and managers
who want to increase
their knowledge of cabling
choices and architectures,
this course covers Data
Center infrastructure
technology and design.
This course covers the latest in
pre-terminated cabling solutions for
both copper and fiber and has been
created to address not only the
technology available today, but also
new and emerging systems and
components.
Estimated study time: 7h
Webcast duration: 6h 19m
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
This course will:
Give students a fresh look at data center infrastructure
design and how all aspects involved affect the
end result
Detail how changing data center technology and
architecture is increasing the density required with
integrated and more converged equipment
Review how copper pre-terminated solutions and their use
can affect installation times and moves adds and changes
Look at fiber pre-terminated solutions, including MPO
connector types, and explore how polarity and
future migration capabilities impact system selection
Ensure that students understand fiber losses, can calculate
them correctly and minimize loss
Show how correctly designed data center infrastructure has
long term benefits especially in regard to upgrade paths to
faster communication speeds
Discuss cable routing designs especially when using HVAC
cooling in relation to hot and cold aisles
Look at cable containment options and routing for both
copper and fiber cable.
Discuss rack/cabinet cross connect and interconnect
layouts with examples.
Look at advantages and disadvantages of cross connect and
inter-connect designs
Ensure students know how to test and inspect during
installation, and explain how to ensure on-going
maintenance is completed (including the importance of
cleanliness of fiber connections)
Review the standards including the TIA-942 DC
infrastructure standard
Enrol for the [SP8850] Pre-Terminated Data Center Solutions
course here.
18

Chapter 4
5. [SP3000] Structured Cabling Infrastructure
Design
Created for those involved
in the Design and
Engineering of Structured
Cabling Systems.
This course provides a complete
foundation for enterprise
designers, and is founded on
industry best practice and
cabling standards. This course
will suit designers, technicians,
field support personnel, account
managers, consultants and network
managers involved in infrastructure
specification.
Initial design considerations,
background knowledge, detailed
design concepts and project
planning are covered.
Estimated study time: 12h
Webcast duration: 10h
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
This course will:
Detail designers roles and responsibilities
Teach students about project and installation planning with
respect to cabling infrastructure
Provide a foundation of essential knowledge to support
Infrastructure design
Examine data communications fundamentals including IP
(Internet Protocol)
Review basic transmission principals
Give an overview of industry standards
Help students understand architectural design issues
Discuss horizontal design for copper and fiber cabling
Show students how to design a fiber and copper backbone
riser system
Ensure students know what to consider for campus designs
Discuss how to select optimum products for the design
Enrol for the [SP3000] Structured Cabling Infrastructure De-
sign course here.
19

Chapter 4
6. [SP6180] Microwave Radio Antenna Site
Planning
Perfect for anyone
involved in microwave
communications, this
course suits a range of
ability levels; from those
starting out, to those
specifying and designing, to
field engineers.
The course aims to help students
understand the technical aspects
and criteria involved in microwave
radio theory, site planning,
selection of tower type, and how
to create a reliable microwave link.
Identification of possible areas of
interference, choice of radio and
towers, antenna selection, path
design and more are considered.
Estimated study time: 6h
Webcast duration: 3h 54m
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
This course will:
Help students understand the parameters and criteria
involved in microwave radio link planning
Look at microwave backhaul and the advantages over fiber
or copper cabling
Discuss the regulatory bodies and available frequencies
together with planning and documents required to be
submitted to the local authorities
Show different methods of configuration of the radio
equipment to provide optimum performance
Review modulation techniques required for differing
scenarios and reliability requirements
Look at how to consider different tower options depending
on location and environment
Help students identify the correct transmission line
types and understanding the performance differences
between antennas
Investigate microwave paths and help understand losses as
a result of reflection, absorption and diffraction
Discuss Fresnel zones, look at terrain and how obstacles
can interfere with the quality of transmission
Help students understand line of site surveys and why they
should be completed
Investigate interference calculations mathematically to
insure the link is viable
Enrol for the [SP6180] Microwave Radio Antenna Site
Planning course here.
20

Chapter 4
7. [SP3500] Field Testing of Cabling Systems
This course has been
created for anyone
interested in learning
more about testing copper
and fiber optic cabling
installations.
Local area networks, copper
twisted pair cabling, DAS
(Distributed Antenna Systems),
internal and external fiber links,
FTTx installations, coaxial cabling
and FTTA (Fiber to the Antenna)
are all covered.
The training details test equipment
options, correct set-up of testers,
how to test, what to test, and how
to analyze results so faults can be
identified and corrected.
Relevant testing standards for
inspection and documentation are
also explored.
Estimated study time: 4 hours
Webcast duration: 3h: 43m
21
Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network
This course will:
Explore different field testing requirements and methods
together with the latest standards and specifications
Look at the differences between Certification, Verification,
and Testing
Help students understand why visual testing is almost as
important as electronic testing
Investigate the range of field testers on the market, their
capabilities, what they test, and examine if the tests meet
standards requirements
Review pre-testing requirements, set up, cleanliness
and tools
Show students how to ensure correct test procedures are
used when testing, including parameters, what to test in a
link and which components in the link are included
Explain test results, analysis, fault finding and repair, and
show comparison of test results against predicted ones
Ensure students understand requirements for test
documentation in line with standards
Enrol for the [SP3500] Field Testing of Cabling Systems
course here.
 Understand the Passive Infrastructure that Underpins Your Network

Conclusion

Whichever certification you As weve discussed, passive infrastructure is an often forgotten

about, but crucial technology; fundamental to maintaining
choose, investing in passive good service and connection to users and subscribers.

infrastructure training is a So if you havent already, be sure to consider your options,

way to prepare and make secure buy-in and invest to stay ahead of the technology
curve.
the most of the expanding
and converging network
infrastructure.

22
 About CommScope Training

As the complexity of wireless, broadband and enterprise networks

continues to grow, maintaining expertise is vital to stay productive,
profitable and prepared. The CommScope Infrastructure Academy
supplies the training you need to support your work, through a flexible
RESIDENTIAL/MDU
online program that fits your busy schedule.
OUTSIDE
PLANT
OUTDOOR
CELL SITE Whether you are a network installer, technician, engineer or integrator,
the CommScope Infrastructure Academy has a comprehensive selection MICROWAVE
SMALL
CELL of courses that provide in-depth training on todays
CENTRAL
OFFICE
advanced wireless,
BACKHAUL

broadband and enterprise solutions.

FIBER TO
THE HOME CATV
The CommScope Infrastructure
HEADEND Academy is a proud supporter of the
INTELLIGENT
BUILDING
CommScope PartnerPRO Network.

The PartnerPRO NetworkWIRELESS

matches customers who need help, with the
INDOOR

best solutions and the ideal partners. The network includes independent
COVERAGE

consultants, integrators, installers, distributors and industry alliances all

trained and certified to deliver CommScopes broad range of network
solutions with superior service.
DATA
CENTER

Training certification on its own does not infer or imply membership

of the CommScope PartnerPRO Network. For further details of the
PartnerPRO Network,
visit www.commscope.com/PartnerPRO.

Like what you read?

Check out our course catalog to explore the full range of training courses
that the CommScope Infrastructure Academy offers on todays advanced
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https://www.commscopetraining.com/catalog/
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