Virtual training in optical networking

18 May Virtual training in optical networking

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What is virtual training?

It is important to define virtual training or learning especially how it differs from electronic learning or e-learning that has become very popular with the advent widespread Internet access. E-learning is mostly associated with self-paced individual training. E-learning participants may login to a website, study course materials, and complete assignments on their own. There is usually no interaction between the learner, their peers and the instructor. Virtual training, on the other hand, involves interaction between learners and the instructor. Virtual training can either the synchronous or asynchronous.

In synchronous virtual training the trainer and the trainees interact in real time using Internet based software designed for online meetings, events or training. In asynchronous virtual training, the trainer and trainees do not interact in real time. Trainers study online training materials and communicate with the instructor via email, discussion boards, email messages or podcasts.

FiberGuide synchronous virtual training

In response to COVID-19, FiberGuide has introduced virtual optical network training as an option to our regular face-to-face classes, typically hosted in Washington, DC. The virtual training is intended to mimic the face-face classes as much as possible. The instructor for the virtual class will facilitate the training from a facility well-equipped with state-of-the-art videoconferencing equipment and redundant ultra-high-speed connections to the Internet. The setup allows for reliable 2-way audio and video communications between the instructor and remote trainees, enabling valuable interactions. The combination of the videoconferencing equipment and ZOOM videoconferencing service is enhances delegate learning processes, including grouping delegates into breakout rooms and enabling one on one interactions between a delegate and the instructor.

While FiberGuide is taking all the necessary measures to deliver high quality virtual training from their end, the devices and Internet access used by delegates to connect remotely to the class can have a profound impact on the quality of their training experience. The following equipment and connectivity requirements are necessary for delegates to experience the best training experience:

High speed Internet connection, preferably wireline with a recommended speed of 1.5Mb/s (up/down). In the event of a wireless connection, it should be 3G, 4G/LTE or 5G. You may use speedtest to check the speed of your Internet connection.

Low latency Internet access, preferably less than 300ms. High latency will cause voice and video delays that makes interactions with the instructor and your peers frustrating. For a rough estimate of the latency of your connection to the class, point your browser to Test My Latency.

A webcam built-in to your computer or one that connects to your computer via USB.

A USB headset with microphone and earphones and a built-in headset jack on your laptop or desktop. Even if your laptop or desktop has speakers, you must plug in a headset so that the sound from the speakers does not cause an echo and disrupt the class.

Supported operating systems

• Mac OS X with MacOS 10.6.8 /(Snow Leopard) or later
• Windows 10
• Windows 8 or 8.1
• Windows 7
• Windows Vista with SP1 or later
• Windows XP with SP3 or later
• Ubuntu 12.04 or higher
• Mint 17.1 or higher
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.4 or higher
• Oracle Linux 6.4 or higher
• CentOS 6.4 or higher
• Fedora 21 or higher
• OpenSUSE 13.2 or higher
• ArchLinux (64-bit only)

Supported browsers

• Windows: IE7+, Firefox,  Chrome,  Safari5+
• Mac: Safari5+, Firefox,  Chrome
• Linux: Firefox, Chrome

Optical network training

Our initial virtual training classes will be for our introductory Certified Optical Network Associate (CONA). Developed by Optical Technology Training (OTT), CONA is an intense 5-day training course in optical networking and is highly recommended for current and aspiring optical network engineers. This introductory course to optical networking focuses on networks that use single channel or multiple channels using Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) for up to 10Gbps per channel and up to 88 channels. Such networks include metro networks, core networks, mobile backhaul, 5G transport networks (fronthaul, and backhaul) Fiber to the Antenna (FTTA) cell tower, Data Center Interconnect (DCI), National Research and Education Networks (NREN), terrestrial Satcom links to and from Satellite earth stations, or dark fiber links and long haul systems that also use fiber optic amplifiers. Variants of WDM, such as Shortwave Wavelength Division Multiplexing (SWDM), Course Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) are covered.

All other topics in optical networking such as fiber optics and cabling, passive components, dispersion management, optical amplifiers, transceivers, network testing, modulation formats, transmission systems and many more are covered. The course is restricted to systems that are based on direct detection. Delegates who pass a project assignment and theoretical evaluation will be CONA certified and will also be awarded IEEE Continuing Education Units (CEUs) certificates.

Delegates who successfully complete CONA have the option to take the more advanced Certified Optical Network Engineer (CONE) course. CONE tackles the requirements for designing high performance networks for higher speed transmission (100G, 400G, 800G and higher). It addresses more advanced network concepts such as coherent systems, software defined networking and digital signal processing.

Delegates who register for any of the optical networking courses should expect the following:

• 5-days of intense and interactive online training on the fundamentals of optical networking
• 550+ pages of course manual to be downloaded from the OTT resources page
• Access to other optical networking online resources
• OTT theory evaluation at the end of the training
• OTT CONA certificate (subject to passing the evaluation)
• IEEE continuing education certificate (subject to passing the evaluation)
• 30-day subscription to OptiWave network simulation software
• Ongoing support for your independent learning of the Optiwave simulation software

Visit the FiberGuide class to request page more information about the classes.