Skip to content

Certifications

Certification Review: BICSI Data Center Design Consultant (DCDC)

Note

Originally published on November 25, 2023 on Medium, now updated and hosted here.

Introduction

I ❤️ data. So it’s no surprise when I say I love data centers—those amazing buildings that store most of the World’s data and make it available to us all as the Internet and the “Cloud.” The Internet itself is technically a massive network connecting data centers, and the Cloud is technically someone else’s computers, which are typically stored—no surprise again—in data centers.

In this certification review, I’m going to cover the BICSI Data Center Design Design Consultant (DCDC) certification. It’s been 18 months since my BICSI OSP certification, and it felt especially good to now complete the DCDC.

Early in my career I got pulled into the unfamiliar world of OSP and had to crash course it, so getting the OSP designation gave me confidence in and validation of new topics I needed to learn. But in getting the DCDC, it felt like coming home to some of the things I know and do best: managing racks of servers and the network equipment that connect them, along with the critical systems and building envelope that keep everything working.

One of my first responsibilities in my ICT career was being the project manager for the construction of two telecommunication huts that would deliver FTTX services across a small city. Each one was fed with diverse network and power sources; housed cable plant, network equipment, and servers; and required HVAC equipment to clean and cool the space. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was building data centers.

I found the project both fascinating and stressful. I was still trying to understand the fundamentals involved, so it was helpful to observe everything literally being designed, constructed, and connected. The many move/add/change issues created challenges and even conflicts, and as PM I had to mediate and resolve them without truly understanding.

Just as with OSP, learning how to design and operate data centers was a complicated process, and had to be delayed while I focusing on learning many other aspects of the job. Having already gotten involved in BICSI and completed the OSP Designer in 2021, I decided to pursue the DCDC credential, and will share my experience with you.

For full disclosure, while I am a dues-paying BICSI member and certification holder, this review is completely independent and not affiliated with or sponsored by BICSI in any way. All opinions are my own and are intended to inform readers about this certification and provide honest feedback about my experience in obtaining it.

Upgrade Your Learning for ICT Career Success

Note

Originally published on March 20, 2023 on Medium, now updated and hosted here.

As in nearly any field within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, a telecommunications engineer must develop and maintain a lifelong learning attitude and the necessary habits and practices to be successful. In this article, I will share the tools, tips, and tricks I’ve used to quickly acquire my growing list of certifications, and I believe they will work for you if you apply the commitment and discipline needed.

Certification Review: BICSI Outside Plant (OSP) Designer

Note

Originally published on October 19, 2022 on Medium, now updated and hosted here.

Introduction

The BICSI Outside Plant (OSP) Designer certification was developed to help OSP engineers design and build outside plant facilities on either private property or the public Right of Way (ROW). On August 5th, 2021, I passed the BICSI OSP exam and earned my first major telecommunications certification.

Early in my career I was thrown into the world of OSP, but I didn’t actually know the best way to get started. Compared to network engineering, OSP is not a very popular trade that technical people consider when looking for career options in telecommunications engineering.

As a result, you can’t walk into a bookstore and buy a reference manual or training guide like you can for the Cisco CCNA. You won’t find extensive tutorials or videos online like you would for routing and switching content (but I hope to change that). When I did fortunately find the OSP Designer resources, I wished I had it much earlier in the process of getting oriented in OSP.

Realizing that challenge is part of what motivated me to start Telecom Craft and promote the resources and materials to help bring more people into the telecommunications engineering field and give them a path forward. So let’s start with a review of the BICSI OSP Designer certification, including what it is, where to find the related resources, who should pursue it, and how to pass.