Pon network design

[Eric Lindsey]

Has anyone had the chance to look sf a PON network installation? We have a few new sites we are building and we have had sales cone in and recommend using fiber to the desktop instead of using closet switches and copper to the desktop. I am not sure how much we like the setup of having a fiber termination device sitting at each desktop that is pretty much converting fiber to copper? The main pitch was that we would save money on cabling, power, and heating and cooling but it just does not look mature yet. The vendor equipment was Motorolla. Thoughts.

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[Reza Sharifi]

Eric,

We are deploying PON for a customer right now.  Our devices are made by Tellabs (Motoralla's competition). That is correct, you will be putting an ONT (dumb hub) on every desk and run Single-mode fiber to each closet. In the closet, you have to use a splitter to connect all you ONTs to and finally the splitter will uplink to a device called OLT.  OLT is nothing but an access switch and it is only capable of layer-2.  Despite what the sales people tell you, there is no realy saving at all because instead of putting a switch or 2 in a closet and let say with 2 switches you server 96 users (48x2) now with PON you will put an ONT an every desk to convert fiber to copper. Every single ONT needs to be plugged in the power outlet for a total of 96 outlets.  So I don't see where the power saving come from.  Overall, I would not recommend using PON.

HTH