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- iConverter Advanced Features for Service Providers
The following advanced features are available on select iConverter® modules, and are configured using Omnitron’s NetOutlook™ SNMP-based management software, any third-party SNMP management software, Telnet or Serial/Modem connection.
Refer to the iConverter Overview Chart (PDF) for advanced features supported on each iConverter module
Intelligent Switch Technology
By integrating switch technology into media converters and offering multi-port switch modules, iConverter media converter modules and Network Interface Devices provide the ability to switch data flow between multiple fiber and copper ports at the Customer Premises. By combining media converters and switch modules in a compact chassis, a managed fiber uplink can be distributed to end users via multiple copper ports. With built-in switch technology, all module ports support advanced features including VLAN, QoS, Port Access Control, Bandwidth Control and Port MIB statistics—all at a price point that facilitates the deployment of new data, voice and video services that were prohibitively expensive before.
Backplane Connectivity
The iConverter 19, 5 and 2 module chassis support backplane connectivity between modules. The example below illustrates a 2-Module chassis backplane that enables sharing of Ethernet data between two installed iConverter modules. Installed modules that are equipped with Ethernet backplane ports have the ability to connect to each other via the chassis’ Ethernet Backplane and facilitate a variety of flexible network applications including unmanaged, Out-of-Band managed, In-Band managed and multi-port configurations.
Port Access Control and Port VLAN
Port Access Control enables service providers to remotely enable or disable a customer’s access to service, while maintaining port configuration for easy port re-enabling.
Port VLAN enables a network administrator to specify and restrict traffic flow between the front ports (UTP and/or Fiber) and the backplane ports to enhance security and intrusion protection.
VLAN with Q-in-Q Technology
iConverter VLAN technology supports the IEEE 802.1Q packet tagging and untagging standard, including Q-in-Q tag-stacking (double-tagging). Whether deployed at the Customer Premises or at the Central Office, Tag VLAN enables service providers to offer their customers secure Ethernet Virtual Private Line LAN “tunnels” which are isolated from other customer’s data as well as from the service provider’s management traffic.
iConverter media converters with Q-in-Q VLAN capabilities are used by service providers to add a second tag to a customer’s own tagged VLAN data, enabling the service provider to provide E-Line (point-to-point) and E-LAN (point-to-multipoint) services.
VLAN enables the seperation of the service provider network management data and customer data; providing intrusion protection to the service provider.
Quality of Service (QoS)
Support of the IEEE 802.1p prioritization enables delivery of Quality of Service (QoS) to high priority, real-time applications such as voice and video over Ethernet. iConverters that support QoS allow users to assign a QoS data prioritization level for untagged VLAN data. The larger the numerical value assigned to the data prioritization, the higher the priority for data flowing from that port. When the network becomes busy, prioritized packets will go through the port first.
An iConverter module that supports QoS will determine which packets get priority. The data packets assigned a low priority get "parked" for a few milliseconds as packets assigned a high priority are passed through the network on to their destination without loss of quality.
Bandwidth Control
Bandwidth Control, or Rate Limiting enables tiered service offerings. Different levels of bandwidth can be selected for the fiber-to-UTP and the UTP-to-fiber directions, optimizing the available network bandwidth resources and to provide services that meet the customer’s specific needs.
Port MIB Statistics
Select iConverters support the reporting of Port MIB (RMON1) statistics. Reports are available for 32 variables per port, reporting real-time packet statistics to provide performance and operational monitoring. Port statistics are used to determine customer bandwidth usage and the health of the network data traveling through individual ports.
Port MIB statistics provide performance monitoring to support the documentation of Service Level Agreements.
Configuring of Port Polling parameters for MIB statistics collection and display can be set to the following parameters with the NetOutlook SNMP-based management software:
- Port Selection - Allows selection of a port on which to collect statistics
- Polling Rate - Allows selection of statistics poll and display rate in seconds
- View Values - Allows selection to view statistics, either in cumulative mode or since the last reset
The following categories of MIB data are collected for the following statistics and can be displayed in the NetOutlook control software:
- Transmitted (Tx) Good Packet
- Received (Rx) Good Packets
- Transmitted (Tx) Errored Packet
- Received (Rx) Errored Packets
- Transmitted (Tx) Collisions
- Received (Rx) Size Errors
Link Fault Detection Modes
iConverter media converters support different combinations of user-selectable Link Segmentation, Link Propagation, Remote Fault Detection and Symmetrical Fault Detection modes for quick fault detection and isolation. Link modes are configurable via management software or with DIP-switches. These modes operate independently of the network management and monitor the state of the cabling hardware.
- Link Segmentation (LS): The normal (default) mode where the UTP and fiber ports establish their links to other connected devices independently of each other.
- Link Propagation (LP): In this mode (also known as “Link-Loss-Carry-Forward”), a link-out from the UTP port is generated only when a link-in to the fiber port is present, and a link-out from the fiber port is generated only when a link-in to the UTP port is present. In LP mode, a cable or link fault is propagated in a “domino” fashion to downstream or upstream connected equipment, enabling rapid fault detection.
- Remote Fault Detection (RFD+LS): In RFD+LS mode, the fiber port transmits a link signal only when receiving a link. As a result, fiber faults (no link received at the fiber) are looped-back and can be reported to the network core.
- Symmetrical Fault Detection (SFD): SFD mode is similar to the RFD mode and provides a loop-back of a fiber link fault. When connecting two SFD configured converters “back-to-back,” this mode facilitates fiber or UTP fault notification to both ends of the network.
Using these Link operation modes, the iConverter management software is capable of detecting and reporting most local and remote cabling or device failures. Detection of a hardware fault can trigger corrective actions such as a Spanning Tree fail-over re-linking or proprietary trunk re-linking.
The traps generated through the SNMP agent and reported via the NetOutlook software (or any other SNMP network management software), coupled with automatic failure correction features, make the iConverter an ideal element in enterprise, campus or metropolitan network applications.
Auto Negotiation
iConverter modules support various levels of Auto Negotiation on fiber and UTP ports. Auto Negotiation enables two Ethernet devices establishing network connectivity to communicate their Duplex modes, data rates and pause capabilities, and establish a network connection of optimal performance.
iConverter Auto Negotiation eliminates the mismatching of port configurations, including Duplex modes. Duplex Mismatch is one of the most common network problems, which can return as interfaces go up and down and network hosts are updated and changed. Part of the 10 Mbps Ethernet legacy, this problem is trivial to fix but can be difficult to identify and localize.
Duplex modes, data rates and pause capabilities can also be configured manually via management software or with Dip-switches located on the iConverter module.