Eric Woodward

🏢 Network & Cabling Design : The Backbone of Any IP Camera System When it comes to CCTV, people often get excited about the cameras first. But honestly, the network and cabling is what makes everything work smoothly. If you get this part wrong, even the most expensive cameras will give you trouble. 🏗️ Cabling Choices - Cat6 vs Cat6a: For most standard buildings, Cat6 is enough. But if you’re looking at 4K cameras or longer runs, Cat6a gives better performance. - Fibre: When you need to cover big distances (like factories, campuses, or data centres), fibre is the way to go – no signal loss, high speed. ⚡ Power over Ethernet (PoE) - PoE makes life easier – one cable for both data and power. - Check your PoE switch capacity: a 4K camera with IR needs more power than a simple indoor dome. - Always allow some headroom – don’t max out your PoE budget. 🌐 Network Setup - Keep cameras on a separate VLAN for security and performance. - Use QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritise video traffic. - Sync everything with an NTP server – accurate timestamps are critical if footage ever goes to court. 🚫 Mistakes I often see - Using long extension cords instead of proper PoE design. - Overloading a switch without checking its PoE budget. - All cameras dumped into the same flat network – big risk for cybersecurity and bandwidth issues. ✅ Best Practice - Always test cables with a Fluke or proper tester before commissioning. - Use patch panels and label cables – saves so much time during maintenance. - Plan for future growth – extra cable runs now are cheaper than tearing walls later. . . . . #Network_Troubleshooting #Networking #NetworkEngineering #ITInfrastructure #CableTermination #RackTermination #Cat8 #Cat6a #FTTH

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AT&T is buying the consumer fiber business of Lumen Technologies for $5.75 billion. Here's what Lumen Technologies CEO Kate Johnson had to say about the deal bloom.bg/3YYhwZU

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2017, university: "Who uses the Smith Chart anymore?" 2025, as a microwave engineer: "How did I work without this thing?" I genuinely thought it was outdated. We had automatic tuners, simulators that do matching for you. Why mess with circles from the 1930s? Here's what I got wrong. The Smith Chart is a visual calculator for impedance. You don't solve formulas — you see the solution happen. Matching 3+j25Ω to 50Ω? 30 seconds instead of 10+ minutes waiting for simulation iterations. And it's not some standalone relic. Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, Anritsu — every major VNA has it built in. Not because of tradition. Because it actually works. Here's the thing: the Smith Chart gives you another level of abstraction. It maps wave propagation and impedance transformation onto geometry you can actually see. You watch a series inductor shift the point along a constant-resistance circle, and you instantly understand how resonance changes. That's the real value — thinking at a higher level instead of getting stuck in the math. The image below shows a typical matching path. So my question: do you still use the Smith Chart in 2025? Or have you gone full automation? #RFEngineering #MicrowaveEngineering #SmithChart #VNA #ImpedanceMatching

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To my DISH Wireless/Boost Mobile Colleagues, I’ve been thinking of many of you since the news broke about AT&T’s acquisition of DISH’s wireless spectrum licenses. As a former colleague, I know how unsettling this announcement can be, and I wanted to share my perspective during periods of uncertainty. First, please take care of yourselves. Lean on friends, family, or even just go for a walk to clear your mind. Your well-being matters most right now. If I can help in any way, reviewing resumes, making introductions, offering a reference, or just listening, don’t hesitate to reach out. Many of you have already. 😉 A few insights for navigating what’s next: Showcase your skills: Update your LinkedIn and resume to highlight your expertise in telecom, 5G, NOC, or spectrum management. Your DISH experience is a strong asset. Connect and explore: Reach out to your network contacts and join groups like Telecom Professionals on LinkedIn. Opportunities at Verizon, T-Mobile, or tech consulting firms could be a great fit, and don’t limit your search to traditional telecoms. Upskill strategically: Consider short courses (e.g., Coursera, LinkedIn Learning) in areas like AI in telecom or cloud networking to boost your marketability. This will also keep you busy. Take a moment: If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a moment and recharge. I know you’ve poured so much into DISH Wireless, and your skills will carry you far. Wishing you resilience and success, let’s stay connected. Be Well.

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Ookla's study of a subsection of US fixed wireline broadband service providers found that Charter leads on Wi-Fi 7 rollouts and customer adoption while fiber providers hold the edge on Wi-Fi 7 performance.

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Top 10 Free Resources to Earn BICSI CECs in 2025 If you're a BICSI-certified professional (e.g., RCDD, INSTC, DCDC), maintaining your credential means earning Continuing Education Credits (CECs). The good news? There are multiple free, high-quality online resources that offer BICSI-approved content — no need to spend a dime. Here’s a curated list of 10 reliable platforms that currently provide free BICSI CECs in 2025: 1. Leviton Webinars (1 CEC per session) Leviton offers a library of recorded webinars covering network design, fiber optics, copper systems, and emerging trends like AI in data centers. Link: https://lnkd.in/dGE_-cC4 2. Omnitron Systems Training Videos Free training videos on extending connectivity, fiber-based PoE, and CWDM systems. Each course awards 1 BICSI CEC. Link: https://lnkd.in/dePfcYDW 3. Eaton (Tripp Lite) Online Training Offers 75+ technical courses, including 10 BICSI-approved ones on UPS, PDUs, and cable management. Link: https://lnkd.in/d2kMcsnZ 4. CommScope Infrastructure Academy Industry-standard training on structured cabling, fiber optics, and enterprise networks. Many courses offer CECs. Link: https://lnkd.in/dfdgim_q 5. Corning “See the Light®” Webinars Live and on-demand training on fiber connectivity, ideal for data center and enterprise environments. Link: https://lnkd.in/dNf3aFxP 6. Wesco (Anixter) University Free, vendor-neutral webinars and courses designed for ICT professionals. Selected courses carry BICSI CECs. Link: https://lnkd.in/dUFVTK2p 7. BICSI Official Webinars BICSI frequently hosts free, CEC-eligible webinars on new standards, technologies, and installation best practices. Link: https://lnkd.in/drHV9E78 8. BICSI CONNECT Learning Portal BICSI CONNECT features over 100 e-learning modules. While most are paid, a few free CEC courses are available. Link: https://lnkd.in/dgFWcTeq 9. Chatsworth Products (CPI) Free online CEC-approved courses on cabinet management, airflow optimization, cable routing, and physical security. Link: https://lnkd.in/dgqfu-tE 10. Reddit – r/Bicsi Community This active community shares up-to-date information on available free CEC webinars and practical renewal tips. Link: https://lnkd.in/d_uXr37T

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Harmonic is proud to partner with Comcast to support the expansion of fiber broadband into new communities. In 2024, Comcast expanded its network to more than one million new locations, with more than 1.2 million new locations planned in 2025. With Harmonic’s cOS™ virtualized broadband platform at the core, Comcast can: • 🚀 Deliver multi-gigabit internet speeds • ⚡ Ensure ultra-low-lag experiences • 🔗 Seamlessly extend fiber & DOCSIS on one platform • 🏡 Support cost-effective rollouts to rural areas, including BEAD-funded projects This collaboration underscores how industry-leading innovation is connecting more homes, businesses and communities to reliable, next-gen broadband. 📍 Learn more at #SCTETechExpo25 | Booth H1065 🔗 https://bit.ly/3IQIXzT #HarmonicBroadband #Fiber #DOCSIS #BroadbandInnovation #SCTETechExpo25

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Those small devices you see mounted on ceilings at work, in malls, or airports aren’t cameras — they’re wireless Access Points. APs operate using RF (radio frequency), broadcasting Wi-Fi on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to keep us connected. In enterprise environments, they’re deployed in large numbers and centrally managed so users can roam seamlessly without losing signal. And here’s a detail many overlook: most APs don’t even use a wall outlet. They rely on PoE (Power over Ethernet), meaning the same cable delivers both network connectivity and power. This is one of the reasons I value hands-on homelab work — breaking down how technologies like APs actually function builds real-world understanding beyond the textbook.”** #Networking #WiFi #AccessPoint #Cisco #NetworkEngineer #Wireless #PoE #ITCommunity #Cybersecurity #NetworkEngineering

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The Verizon/Tillman Deal - explained. Congrats to the team over at Tillman Global Holdings! Verizon has entered a new strategic fiber agreement with Eaton Fiber, a wholesale FTTP platform and affiliate of TGH. In essence; Eaton Fiber is responsible for funding, building, and maintaining high-speed fiber networks in new US markets outside of the current Verizon Fios and soon-to-be Frontier footprints. Under this structure, Verizon gains residential retail exclusivity across the new builds, enabling rapid expansion and control of premium broadband access in areas previously underserved.​ Eaton Fiber is a distinct entity from Tillman Fiber; Eaton is solely focused on infrastructure, while Tillman Global Holdings remains the parent and strategic backer. Initial deployment efforts are expected in serviceable addresses outside legacy regions, with market emphasis likely on key states such as California, Texas, and Florida, complementing ongoing builds and Verizon’s planned Frontier acquisition.​ -> This partnership streamlines market entry for Verizon, moves last-mile fiber capex off their balance sheet, and sets the stage for scalable, premium connectivity. #fiber #privateequity #telecommunications #digitalinfrastructure #broadband #networkexpansion

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Fiber Optic Tip: What's the more Common SFP Problems - Low RX power or Overly Strong TX? 🔌💡 When working with SFP transceivers, two issues often come up: 1️⃣ Low RX Power – Usually caused by dirty connectors, long distances, fiber bends, or link loss. It leads to weak signal reception and unstable connections. 2️⃣ Overly Strong TX Power – Less common, but it can still cause problems. A transmitter that is too strong can saturate the receiver and create bit errors. 👉 In practice, Low RX Power is far more common. That’s why routine inspection, cleaning, and proper link budget design are key to maintaining reliable network performance. 💭 Question for you: Which issue have you faced more often in your projects – Low RX Power or Strong TX? Let’s share experiences below! ⬇️ #FiberOptics #Networking #SFP #Telecom #DataCenter #OpticalNetworking #Connectivity #TechTips

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