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Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM) maximizes 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 users or departments.
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 bandwidth as your network demands grow.
Omnitron’s iConverter NIDs have built-in management capability and support SNMP and IEEE 802.3ah IP-less management and performance monitoring. iConverter NIDs feature SFP transceivers, VLAN technology, bandwidth control and QoS for voice/data/video over Ethernet.
This point-to-point application illustrates an Enterprise CWDM fiber link with iConverter media converters and Network Interface Devices that provides managed fiber connectivity for multiple users and departments.
At the Network Core:
The Service Provider’s 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 throughout the network is managed via Omnitron’s NetOutlook management software, which enables trouble-shooting, remote configuration and performance monitoring of the fiber links.
The iConverter media converter modules at the Network Core have Small Form Pluggable Transceivers (SFPs) and each module transmits a specific wavelength that is dedicated to a different user or department. The dual fiber links from the media converter modules are connected to a third party 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 Network Edge:
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 network connection with different bandwidth capacities (100Mb or 1Gig).
At Network Edge Buildings A and B:
At Building A, a λ 1 1550nm 100Mbps dual fiber link connects to a self-managed iConverter 10/100M2 module with integrated SNMP or IP-less 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 workstations or departmental switches.
The λ 2 1590nm 100Mbps dual fiber link connects to a standalone iConverter 10/100M2 NID with an SFP transceiver that provides managed fiber to copper connectivity to a departmental switch.
At Building B, the λ 3 1610nm gigabit fiber link connects to a standalone iConverter GX/TM2 NID with an SFP transceiver that provides managed fiber connectivity to a copper gigabit departmental switch.
Summary
iConverter media converters and NIDs provide a flexible, Point-to-Point CDWM system with comprehensive management and fault detection of the optical 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 location.
This multi-point to multi-point application illustrates an Enterprise CWDM ring with iConverter media converters and Network Interface Devices that provides managed fiber connectivity for multiple users and departments.
At the Network Core:
As in the point-to-point application above, the Service Provider 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. iConverter equipment throughout the network is managed via Omnitron’s NetOutlook management software, which enables trouble-shooting, remote configuration and performance monitoring of the fiber links.
The iConverter media converter modules at the Network Core have Small Form Pluggable Transceivers (SFPs) and each module transmits a specific wavelength that is dedicated to a different user or department. 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 Network Edge Buildings A through C:
At Building A 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 transceivers that provides a managed fiber to copper connectivity to a departmental switch.
At Building B, 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 iConverter 10/100M2 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 departments. This configuration functions as a fiber to copper switch for connectivity to workstations or other departmental switches.
At Building C, 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 connectivity to gigabit departmental switches.
Summary
This application utilizes iConverter self-managed media converters at the Network Core and iConverter NIDs with SFP transceivers at the Network Edge Buildings to provide a carrier-class CWDM ring system with comprehensive management and trouble-shooting of the optical links. SFPs are used for the specific wavelength and bandwidth required at each location. A new 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 location. 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.