A Career As A Network Infrastructure Technician / Engineer

Embarking on a career as a network infrastructure technician/engineer is a journey that begins with the correct training. Mastering the tasks of fibre optics, data cabling, and wireless networks is not just a requirement, but a necessity to excel in this field.

Network infrastructure relates typically to local area networks (LAN) and storage area networks (SAN). Local area networks normally involve computers and their links to a central point called a communications room. These usually link to multiple locations from a communications room and are connected via fibre optic cables throughout the network using different topologies. These typically use OM3-OM5 and a maximum distance of 2 kilometres longer is done via single-mode fibre optic cables.

Wireless networks, a key component of network infrastructure, require data cabling for connection to a network. Understanding this technical aspect of the job is crucial for a network infrastructure technician, and it’s what sets them apart as knowledgeable and informed professionals.

Storage area networks are typically called data centres. They consist of massive amounts of servers providing services, especially cloud storage and SaaS services. Again, these are network cabling Cat6A and above and fibre optic cables.

What to expect in your career

The career of a network infrastructure technician is diverse and dynamic, with a wide range of roles and tasks. This variety not only keeps the job interesting but also provides numerous opportunities for growth and learning.

Data cabling installation technicians work mainly with copper cabling Cat5e through to Cat8 and telephony and coaxial cabling.

Network Infrastructure technicians cover both fibre and copper cabling. This can be in office environments, education facilities, and many more, and the size varies depending on the size of the organisation that requires the infrastructure. A network infrastructure technician may also be required to install and configure network switches and wireless access points.

Other duties could include office moves and changes (OMACS) requiring them to move and patch the network.

Qualified network infrastructure technicians/engineers are valuable to any infrastructure installation company, especially if they have fibre and copper experience.

So, how do you become one? 

To become a network infrastructure technician/engineer, you must have completed the correct training within the industry. These may include City & Guilds Communications cabling course 3668, or FOA Certified Premises Copper Technician (FOA CPCT) with the Certified Fibre Optics Technician (FOA CFOT) or similar like COFNII Enterprise Cabling Installer.