atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums General Telecom News Motorola Intros Passive Optical LAN for Businesses

Say goodbye to friggin copper CAT cables for data. Finally an end to the madness and it actually simplifies something that should be simple to begin with. Article here.

-Hal

So much for "future proofing" with CAT6. Did I say that out loud. Just can't remember where I heard that term. :rolleyes:

But wait! Cat 7 is coming real soon now. You wouldn't want to orphan it, would you?


Sam

The thing I didn't realize is that the FiOS fiber plant is completely passive. I never had the opportunity to look inside one of those refrigerator sized equipment cabinets but I did wonder why none of them are powered.

"future proofing"... Just can't remember where I heard that term.

Umm it was the cable manufacturers and it referred to their sales not the wiring. Every few years come out with a higher CAT number and the CGs and IT "professionals" like robots will convince the higher ups to scrap what they have and install new.

-Hal

Yep Hal, my point exactly. There's no such thing as "future proofing". Technology changes at a rapid pace, so use the correct product for the technology you're supporting now. The future will dictate what you install then.

I'd sure like to see this concept layed out on in a diagram or picture. I don't quite understand how they make it work. Are we talking fiber to the desk, again?

Justin

Justin, it sounds like fiber to the zone based upon the impression that I got. I'm still not sure how this concept is anything that is actually new.

It is true that the optical splitters are passive, but on the other hand both the ONT (CPE-Optical Network Terminal) and the OLT (Verizon Switching Facility-Optical Line Terminal) are powered. The only complaint I've heard about FIOS is the fact that POTS over FIOS needs external power. Verizon does install a BBU (Battery Backup Unit) along with the ONT, that theoretically gives backup power (to POTS-over-FIOS voice only, not to data including voip, or to video) for a few hours.

Of course the OLT at the CO and the individual ONTs at the premises have to be powered but that leaves a HUGE amount of OSP that does not require anything more than FO cable and optical splitters. Compare that to CATV with hundreds, even thousands of actives that require constant monitoring, maintenance and power.

As for the BBU for the ONTs only providing power for POTS, chances are that during a power outage you are going to lose the use of your TVs and computers anyway so why provide BU power for the broadband or video? If that bothers you, there is nothing to stop you from providing your own BU power source as large as you want.

-Hal

Agreed. But the point is that POTS line power now has to be provided by customers, whereas previously it was the responsibility of the carrier. I guess we have to see how this plays out, especially in cases of emergency and long blackouts.
During the last major blackout in NYC area, cell networks were overloaded at times.