Enterprise Structured Cabling Planning and Design Course
The Enterprise Structured Cabling Planning and Design Course is a four-day programme for installers, engineers, planners and project managers who need to design professional structured cabling infrastructure. The course covers cable-system selection, network topology, pathways and containment, cabinet and outlet planning, capacity and future growth, documentation and quality assurance. Delegates learn how to apply recognised standards including BS EN 50173, BS EN 50174 and ISO/IEC 11801 when designing enterprise network infrastructure. Training is available at our specialist centre in Crewe or for corporate groups across the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
The Enterprise Structured Cabling Planning and Design Course develops the knowledge and practical skills required to plan, specify and design structured cabling systems for modern enterprise networks. The course covers copper and fibre cabling architecture, network topology, pathway and containment planning, cabinet and equipment room design, cable selection, capacity planning, documentation, costing and compliance with recognised industry standards.
Delegates learn how to apply BS EN 50173, BS EN 50174 and ISO/IEC 11801 principles when designing reliable, scalable and standards-compliant network infrastructure. The course is aimed at experienced installers, project managers, cabling managers and network planners who want to progress into structured cabling design and infrastructure planning roles.
About this course:
The Enterprise Structured Cabling Planning and Design Course develops the technical knowledge and planning skills needed to design structured cabling systems for modern commercial and enterprise environments. It is aimed at experienced cabling installers, project managers, cabling managers and network planners who want to progress beyond installation into infrastructure design, specification and project planning.
The course covers the complete design process, from understanding client requirements through to developing a compliant and scalable cabling solution. Delegates consider network topology, copper and fibre cabling selection, pathways and containment, telecommunications rooms, equipment rooms, network cabinets, outlets, backbone and horizontal cabling, capacity planning, future expansion and the preparation of supporting design documentation.
A key part of the course is understanding how recognised cabling standards influence the design of enterprise network infrastructure. Delegates learn how to apply the BS EN 50173 series, BS EN 50174 series and ISO/IEC 11801 when planning cabling systems, selecting appropriate infrastructure and preparing specifications.
The course also considers practical design issues such as separation and segregation, cable routing, bend radius, pathway capacity, cabinet positioning, equipment layouts, labelling, administration, quality assurance and installation planning. Delegates will also develop an understanding of project costing, material requirements, network drawings and documentation needed to support installation, commissioning, handover and future maintenance.
The programme considers both copper and fibre infrastructure so that delegates can develop designs suitable for different enterprise environments, including office buildings, industrial premises, data centres and distributed building services.
Consideration is also given to network performance, resilience, scalability, Power over Ethernet applications and designing infrastructure capable of supporting future technologies.
Training combines technical theory with practical planning and design exercises, allowing delegates to apply recognised standards and design principles to realistic network infrastructure scenarios.
The BS EN 50173 series includes:
BS EN 50173-1 – General requirements
BS EN 50173-2 – Office premises
BS EN 50173-3 – Industrial premises
BS EN 50173-4 – Homes
BS EN 50173-5 – Data centres
BS EN 50173-6 – Distributed building services
The BS EN 50174 series includes:
BS EN 50174-1 – Installation specification and quality assurance
BS EN 50174-2 – Installation planning and practices inside buildings
BS EN 50174-3 – Installation planning and practices outside buildings
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, delegates will have developed the knowledge and practical planning skills required to design professional enterprise structured cabling systems. The learning outcomes focus on translating client and network requirements into structured, standards-based designs that consider performance, capacity, resilience, installation quality, future expansion and compliance with recognised cabling standards.
By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:
✔️ Plan and design enterprise structured cabling infrastructure for commercial, industrial and data centre environments.
✔️ Select and specify appropriate copper cabling systems, including Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6A and higher-performance cabling where required.
✔️ Select suitable fibre optic cabling systems to meet client, network performance and application requirements.
✔️ Determine appropriate structured cabling topologies, pathways, containment, telecommunications spaces, cabinets and equipment-room layouts.
✔️ Apply the requirements and principles of BS EN 50173, BS EN 50174 and ISO/IEC 11801 when developing structured cabling designs.
✔️ Prepare cable schedules, material requirements, job costings and project plans.
✔️ Produce structured cabling specifications that clearly define client, performance and installation requirements.
✔️ Apply specification, installation planning and quality-assurance principles to structured cabling projects.
✔️ Plan the positioning and integration of network cabinets, patch panels, outlets and associated network hardware.
✔️ Interpret network diagrams, floor plans, cabling layouts and infrastructure drawings.
✔️ Produce design documentation, installation information, labelling schedules and quality-assurance records.
✔️ Consider pathway capacity, cable segregation, bend radius, containment, future expansion and maintainability during the design process.
✔️ Understand the design considerations associated with Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications.
✔️ Consider resilience, scalability and future network capacity when developing enterprise cabling infrastructure.
✔️ Identify relevant safety considerations and installation requirements that should be addressed during the planning and design stage.
Suitable for:
✔️ Experienced structured cabling installers
✔️ Network engineers and infrastructure technicians
✔️ Cabling project managers
✔️ Cabling managers and supervisors
✔️ Network planners and structured cabling designers
✔️ Technical estimators and system specifiers
✔️ Network infrastructure consultants and technical advisors
✔️ Experienced copper and fibre cabling professionals moving into design and planning roles
Course modules:
The course is structured around a series of planning, design, standards and documentation modules that develop the knowledge required to design enterprise structured cabling infrastructure from initial client requirements through to final system specification.
✔️ Structured cabling design principles and enterprise network architecture
✔️ Understanding client requirements and producing a design brief
✔️ Copper cabling systems including Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6A and higher-performance applications
✔️ Fibre optic cabling selection for enterprise backbone and horizontal infrastructure
✔️ Network topology design and pathway planning
✔️ Telecommunications rooms, equipment rooms and network cabinet planning
✔️ Floor-standing and wall-mounted cabinet layouts
✔️ Patch panels, outlets, consolidation points and termination hardware
✔️ Cable routes, containment, segregation and bend-radius requirements
✔️ Capacity planning and provision for future network expansion
✔️ Designing for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications
✔️ Understanding the BS EN 50173 series of structured cabling standards
✔️ BS EN 50173-1 general requirements
✔️ BS EN 50173-2 office premises
✔️ BS EN 50173-3 industrial premises
✔️ BS EN 50173-4 homes
✔️ BS EN 50173-5 data centres
✔️ BS EN 50173-6 distributed building services
✔️ Understanding the BS EN 50174 series for cabling installation
✔️ BS EN 50174-1 installation specification and quality assurance
✔️ BS EN 50174-2 installation planning and practices inside buildings
✔️ BS EN 50174-3 installation planning and practices outside buildings
✔️ Application of ISO/IEC 11801 generic cabling principles
✔️ Cable system selection and specification
✔️ Network hardware and infrastructure planning
✔️ Interpreting architectural drawings and network diagrams
✔️ Producing structured cabling drawings and design documentation
✔️ Bill of materials and equipment schedules
✔️ Job costing and project planning
✔️ Installation specification and quality assurance requirements
✔️ Testing, acceptance and handover requirements
✔️ Labelling, administration and documentation
✔️ Safety considerations during infrastructure design and installation planning
✔️ Designing scalable and future-ready enterprise cabling systems
Certification Information:
On successful completion of the course, delegates will receive a Fibre Optics Training UK certificate of completion confirming their training in enterprise structured cabling planning and design. The course focuses on recognised industry standards and professional design practices, including BS EN 50173, BS EN 50174 and ISO/IEC 11801.
Entry Requirements
Experience in Enterprise Cabling
Career Progression:
Completing the Enterprise Structured Cabling Planning and Design Course can support progression into more advanced technical, planning and project-based roles within the structured cabling and network infrastructure sector.
The course is particularly relevant for experienced installers and engineers who want to move beyond practical installation work and take greater responsibility for network design, specification, project planning, costing, quality assurance and technical supervision.
Potential progression routes include:
✔️ Structured Cabling Designer
✔️ Network Infrastructure Planner
✔️ Network Infrastructure Designer
✔️ Cabling Project Manager
✔️ Project Engineer
✔️ Technical Supervisor
✔️ Cabling Manager
✔️ Technical Estimator
✔️ Structured Cabling Specifier
✔️ Network Infrastructure Consultant
✔️ Technical Advisor
✔️ Quality Assurance or Compliance roles within cabling projects
The course can also support progression into positions involving client consultation, tender preparation, design review, project coordination and the development of structured cabling specifications for commercial, industrial and data centre environments.
Price:
£795.00 + VAT
Duration:
4 Days.
Course Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course suitable for?
This course is designed for experienced structured cabling installers, network engineers, project managers, cabling managers, infrastructure technicians and network planners who want to progress beyond installation into the planning, design and specification of enterprise cabling systems.
It is particularly suitable for people who are already familiar with structured cabling and now need to understand how network infrastructure should be designed, documented, costed and specified in accordance with recognised industry standards.
The course can also support organisations that want their technical teams to develop a more consistent approach to structured cabling design, project planning, quality assurance and infrastructure documentation.
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What standards will I learn during the course?
The course covers recognised structured cabling and installation standards including the BS EN 50173 series, BS EN 50174 series and ISO/IEC 11801.
Delegates learn how these standards influence the planning, design, installation and performance of enterprise network infrastructure, including commercial buildings, data centres and other structured cabling environments.
The course also examines how standards affect pathway planning, cable selection, telecommunications spaces, cabinets, equipment rooms, backbone and horizontal cabling, segregation, administration, documentation and quality assurance.
The emphasis is not simply on knowing the standards, but understanding how to apply them when designing real network infrastructure.
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What skills will I gain from this course?
You will develop the practical knowledge required to plan and design professional enterprise structured cabling systems from initial requirements through to final documentation.
This includes selecting appropriate copper and fibre optic cabling systems, interpreting client requirements, developing network layouts, planning pathways and containment, positioning telecommunications rooms and network cabinets, considering backbone infrastructure and preparing project documentation.
Delegates also develop skills in producing project plans, estimating materials, preparing costings, interpreting network diagrams and ensuring proposed installations comply with recognised structured cabling and installation standards.
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Does the course include practical design exercises?
Yes. Although this is primarily a planning and design course, it includes practical exercises designed to help delegates apply the theory to realistic enterprise network projects.
Delegates may work through network layouts, cabinet locations, pathway requirements, cable routes, copper and fibre selection, backbone connectivity, network capacity, equipment requirements and project documentation.
The objective is to develop the ability to take a set of customer or project requirements and translate them into a structured, standards-based network cabling design rather than simply learning design principles in isolation.
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Does the course cover both copper and fibre optic cabling design?
Yes. The course considers both copper and fibre optic cabling as part of a complete enterprise network infrastructure.
Copper design principles include the selection and application of structured cabling systems such as Cat 5e, Cat 6 and Cat 6A, together with the associated pathways, patch panels, outlets, cabinets and telecommunications spaces.
Fibre optic design principles include backbone connectivity, fibre selection, network topology, pathways, termination locations and capacity planning.
The course helps delegates understand when copper, fibre or a combination of both technologies should be specified within an enterprise network.
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Will I learn how to plan network cabinets and telecommunications spaces?
Yes. Cabinet and telecommunications-space planning forms an important part of enterprise structured cabling design.
Delegates consider the positioning and specification of floor-standing and wall-mounted cabinets, patching requirements, cable management, pathways, equipment space, network expansion and accessibility for future maintenance.
The course also considers how cabinets and telecommunications spaces interact with horizontal cabling, backbone infrastructure and the overall network architecture.
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Does the course cover network topology and infrastructure planning?
Yes. Delegates develop an understanding of the network topologies and physical infrastructure used within modern enterprise networks.
This includes planning horizontal and backbone cabling, telecommunications spaces, equipment rooms, network cabinets and interconnections between different areas of a building or campus.
The course also looks at how network requirements, building layout, future expansion and equipment locations influence the final structured cabling design.
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Will I learn how to produce project documentation and costings?
Yes. Planning and documentation are important parts of the course.
Delegates develop an understanding of how to interpret project requirements, prepare infrastructure plans, calculate material requirements, consider labour and installation requirements and develop project costings.
The course also covers the importance of network drawings, specifications, cable schedules, labelling, records and quality-assurance documentation so that the completed design can be clearly communicated to installers, project managers and clients.
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Does the course cover Power over Ethernet?
Yes. Power over Ethernet is an increasingly important consideration when planning modern structured cabling systems.
The course considers how PoE applications such as wireless access points, IP cameras, VoIP devices and other network-powered equipment can influence cable selection, bundling, pathways, capacity and infrastructure design.
Delegates develop an understanding of why PoE requirements need to be considered during the design stage rather than after the cabling system has already been installed.
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Is this an installation course?
No. This course is primarily focused on the planning, design and specification of enterprise structured cabling systems.
It is intended for people who already have experience or knowledge of enterprise cabling and want to progress into network design, infrastructure planning, project management, technical supervision or consultancy.
Delegates looking primarily for practical installation, termination and testing training should consider the separate Advanced Enterprise Structured Cabling Level 3 Course.
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What are the entry requirements?
Delegates should have previous experience or a good working knowledge of enterprise structured cabling.
The course is particularly suitable for existing installers, technicians, engineers, supervisors, project managers and planners who already understand the fundamentals of network cabling and want to develop more advanced planning and design skills.
Previous experience with copper or fibre optic cabling will help delegates gain the greatest benefit from the course.
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Where is the course delivered?
The course is delivered at Fibre Optics Training UK’s specialist training centre in Crewe, Cheshire.
Corporate delivery can also be arranged for organisations requiring structured cabling planning and design training for their technical teams at client locations across the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
Corporate delivery can be particularly useful where a company wants the training aligned with its own network infrastructure, design processes or project requirements.
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Can this course help me progress into network design or project management?
Yes. The course is designed to help experienced cabling professionals develop the additional knowledge required for roles involving network infrastructure planning, structured cabling design, project coordination and technical supervision.
It can support progression towards roles such as structured cabling designer, network infrastructure planner, project engineer, cabling project manager, technical supervisor or network infrastructure consultant.
The course can also help experienced installers develop a broader understanding of the decisions made before an installation reaches site, including standards, specification, design, documentation, capacity planning and project costing.