Fiber-to-the-Desktop VLAN Application

Connecting one fiber link to multiple desktop devices

This application example illustrates a fiber-to-the-desk solution that enables connectivity to multiple UTP desktop devices with one fiber link.

In the upper left, a copper UTP link from a core switch is converted to a fiber link using a VLAN-capable iConverter media converter installed in a 19-Module Chassis. The chassis is managed by an iConverter Network Management Module (NMM2) providing comprehensive trouble-shooting, performance monitoring and remote hardware configuration. Up to 19 fiber links can be distributed from the chassis, and they can be dual or single-fiber, single-mode or multimode. The fiber can also be distributed directly from a VLAN-capable fiber switch.

At the Desktop

The 100Mbps fiber link connects to an iConverter 10/100M2 with integrated management that converts the fiber link to copper UTP. The 10/100M2 is installed in a 1-Module Redundant Power Chassis that has two additional built-in UTP ports. The 10/100M2 shares data with the chassis UTP ports via the Ethernet backplane. This configuration produces a compact edge switch with a fiber uplink port and three UTP ports that connect to different desktop devices.

Each UTP port is configured with a different VLAN membership as illustrated in the drawing. The tagged traffic from the fiber port is distributed to the appropriate UTP port based on their VLAN membership. Each UTP port can also be configured with a different Quality of Service (QoS) priority allowing delay sensitive applications, such as video and Voice over IP (VoIP) to be prioritized over standard data traffic. The VLAN and QoS configuration can be remotely configured via SNMP management.

The 10/100M2 can be managed through IP protocols (SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, SNMPv3, Telnet). SMNPv3 strengthens secure access to devices by a combination of authenticating and encrypting packets over the network. The iConverter management system also supports an IP-less management protocol, preventing unauthorized access to the IP. Management VLAN can also be defined to separate management traffic from the data traffic.

Summary

This solution illustrates how to distribute three data streams over one fiber link to the desktop. The flexible iConverter architecture enables a variety of compact switch configurations that provide cost-effective fiber connectivity with several benefits:

  • VLAN technology and QoS prioritization enable segregation and delivery of high-quality voice and video applications
  • High Security SNMPv3 or IP-less management with remote configuration and mission-critical fault monitoring.
  • Flexible architecture that enables a variety of port configurations

When additional ports are required, an iConverter 2-Module Chassis with a 10/100M2 and a 4TxVT four port switch module can be used. This configuration produces a fiber uplink port and 5 UTP ports.

The iConverter management system provides the ability to remotely monitor network status, configure hardware parameters, generate statistic reports and receive a variety of user-specified fault alarms. This comprehensive management capability enables the remote configuration of a variety of port parameters, including VLAN and QoS.