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Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM) enables Service Providers to maximize existing fiber optic infrastructure by transmitting multiple wavelength signals through the same fiber optic cable. The wavelengths used with CWDM implementations are defined by the International Telecommunications Union; reference ITU G.694.2, listing eighteen wavelengths from 1270nm to 1610nm with 20nm wavelength spacing. CWDM technology enables a dual fiber strand to support multiple network topologies and data rates to exponentially increase bandwidth capacity and provide the ability to add new customers without laying new fiber optic cable between sites.
Just as single fiber uses 1310/1550nm bidirectional wavelengths to double the fiber capacity, CWDM increases the capacity of the fiber network with multiple wavelengths. Bandwidth is also increased because each wavelength carries data independently from each other, allowing network designers to mix and match speeds (100Mb or 1Gig) for different customers.
CWDM technology enables immediate flexibility by increasing the capacity of existing fiber infrastructure, eliminating the need to lay new fiber at full capacity locations. Small Form Pluggable (SFP) transceivers provide a flexible and cost-effective way to standardize network equipment when implementing multiple wavelengths in CWDM networks. The combination of iConverter Network Interface Devices (NIDs) and SFPs provide a scalable network infrastructure with the ability to add services as customer requirements grow.
Omnitron’s iConverter NIDs have built-in management capability and support IEEE 802.3ah OAM management, provisioning and performance monitoring. iConverter NIDs feature SFP transceivers, VLAN with Q-in-Q to enable E-LAN and E-Line services, QoS for voice/data/video over Ethernet and rate limiting for tiered service offerings and tariff-based (government taxed) bandwidth.
At the Central Office:
The Service Provider’s Metro core network cloud on the left is connected to an existing UTP core switch. Copper UTP from the network core Ethernet switch is converted to dual fiber with a 19-Module rack of iConverter media converters managed out-of-band by an iConverter Network Management Module (NMM). A network management station is connected to the NMM with a physically secure network link. The iConverter equipment at the Central Office and Customer Premises is managed via Omnitron’s NetOutlook management software, which enables provisioning, remote configuration and performance monitoring of the access links.
The iConverter media converter modules at the Central Office have Small Form Pluggable Transceivers (SFPs) and each module transmits a specific wavelength that is dedicated to a different customer. The dual fiber links from the media converter modules are connected to an Optical Add/Drop Mux (OADM). The OADM inserts and removes the appropriate optical wavelength channels for the CWDM Point-to-Point dual fiber link.
At the Point of Presence:
At the remote end of the CWDM link, another OADM filters out each wavelength and drops fiber access links for different customers. Each wavelength is an individually managed access link with different bandwidth capacities (100Mb or 1Gig).
At the Customer Premises:
The λ 1 1550nm 100Mbps dual fiber link connects to a self-managed iConverter 10/100M2 module with integrated 802.3ah OAM remote management installed in an iConverter 2-Module chassis. The data travels across the Ethernet backplane of the chassis and connects to the iConverter 4Tx VT 4-port compact switch module that provides 10/100 copper ports for multiple customers. This iConverter NID configuration functions as a Multiple User Network Interface (Multi-UNI), which is the physical demarcation point between the responsibility of the Service Provider and the responsibility of the Subscriber, and each UNI is dedicated to a single Subscriber.
The λ 2 1590nm and λ 3 1610nm 100Mbps dual fiber links connect to standalone iConverter 10/100M2 NIDs with an SFP transceivers that provide managed demarcation at the Customer Premises.
Summary
iConverter media converters and NIDs provide a flexible, Point-to-Point CDWM system with comprehensive OAM management and provisioning of the optical access links. As more bandwidth is required between the endpoints, new CWDM wavelengths can be added as needed, and NIDs with SFPs can be used for the specific wavelength and bandwidth required at each customer location.
This multi-point to multi-point application illustrates a Metro Ethernet CWDM ring with iConverter media converters and Network Interface Devices that provides fiber access for multiple customers.
At the Central Office:
The Metro Core network cloud on the left is connected to an existing UTP core switch. Copper UTP from the network core Ethernet switch is converted to dual fiber with a 19-Module rack of iConverter media converters managed out-of-band by an iConverter Network Management Module (NMM). A network management station is connected to the NMM with a physically secure network link. The iConverter equipment at the Central Office and Customer Premises is managed via Omnitron’s NetOutlook management software. NetOutlook provides 802.3ah OAM (Operations, Administration and Maintenance) management, which enables provisioning, remote configuration and performance monitoring of the access links.
The iConverter media converter modules at the Central Office have Small Form Pluggable Transceiver (SFPs) and each module transmits a specific third-party wavelength that is dedicated to a different customer. The dual fiber links from the media converter modules are connected to an Optical Add/Drop Mux (OADM). The OADM inserts and removes the appropriate optical wavelength channels for the CWDM dual fiber ring.
At the Customer Premises:
At the first Customer Premises on the lower left, the OADM filters out the λ 1 1550nm wavelength from the CWDM ring and drops a 100Mbps dual fiber link. The λ 1 link connects to a self-managed iConverter standalone 10/100M2 NID with an SFP transceiver that provides a managed UNI (User Network Interface) demarcation at the Customer Premises.
At the next Customer Premises, the OADM filters out the λ 2 1570 wavelength from the CWDM ring and drops a 100Mbps dual fiber link that connects to a self-managed iConverter10/100M2 module installed in an iConverter 2-Module chassis. The data travels across the Ethernet backplane of the chassis and connects to the iConverter 4Tx VT 4-port compact switch module that provides 10/100 copper ports for multiple customers. This iConverter NID configuration functions as a Multiple User Network Interface (Multi-UNI), which is the physical demarcation point between the responsibility of the Service Provider and the responsibility of the Subscriber, and each UNI is dedicated to a single Subscriber.
At the final Customer Premises, the OADM filters out and drops the λ 3 1590 and λ 4 1610 gigabit fiber links that connect to standalone iConverter GX/TM2 NIDs. The NIDs provide managed demarcation at the Customer Premises to different customers in the same building.
Summary
This application utilizes iConverter self-managed media converters at the Central Office and iConverter NIDs with SFP transceivers at the Customer Premises to provide a carrier-class CWDM ring system with comprehensive OAM management and provisioning of the optical access links. SFPs are used for the specific wavelength and bandwidth required at each customer location. A new customer access link can be added by inserting a new wavelength into the CWDM ring. A new OADM Point of Presence can be added by splicing into the CWDM fiber ring and adding an OADM to filter out the wavelength for each new customer. SFPs are used for the specific wavelength and bandwidth required at each customer location. As more bandwidth is required between the endpoints, new CWDM wavelengths can be added and implemented using SFPs. Using this approach, the network equipment can be standardized and only the SFPs need to be added depending on the wavelength selected; therefore reducing overall equipment costs.