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FOA CFOS/H study materials
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FOA CFOS/H: Home network design, planning and project management

FOA CFOS/H · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

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Home network design, planning and project management

Domain 5 - Home network design, planning and project management

This domain tests whether you can turn a customer's needs into a buildable plan: outlets, pathways, power, WiFi coverage, documentation, schedule and handover.

Requirements and topology

  • Interview the customer: number of rooms and outlets, work-from-home needs, IPTV, gaming, smart-home devices, future expansion and budget.
  • Design a star topology from one central enclosure containing the ONT, router, switch and splitter; avoid daisy-chained outlets.
  • Place the ONT near power, ventilation and an accessible location - not inside a metal box or a closed cabinet that blocks WiFi.
  • Plan WiFi access points on ceiling or high-wall locations with cable runs, not just "where the router is".

Pathways, documentation and schedule

  • Specify conduit of at least 20 mm to each outlet with pull string and a service loop; plan at least one spare pathway per floor.
  • Use a consistent label scheme (floor-room-port-type) and keep as-built drawings, test records and photos.
  • Confirm permits, HOA or landlord approval and utility locates before any trenching; sequence rough-in before drywall and trim-out after painting.
  • Handover: demonstrate the link, provide test results, explain the ONT LEDs and warranty.

Worked example

A 2,500 sq ft two-story house needs fiber to the ONT, wired data to four rooms, two ceiling access points and an outdoor camera. Design: 25 mm conduit from the exterior entry to the utility closet, ONT on a dedicated 120 V outlet, 1 m slack, a 12-port patch panel, Cat 6 to four rooms plus two APs and the camera, all labeled and tested to TIA-568. That is six data runs plus the fiber drop, with one spare conduit to the attic.

Traps

  • Forgetting power or ventilation at the ONT location.
  • Designing WiFi coverage by guesswork and placing APs in closets.
  • No spare conduit or slack, so the next upgrade means cutting drywall.
  • Promising an installation date before materials and permits are confirmed, and handing over without test records.