Hello everyone!
Today, I will start to explain a new way to structure a telecommunications network – OLAN. First, I will explain traditional LAN networks.
LAN is abbreviated to Local Area Network. The task of a LAN is to enable communication of hosts (PCs, printers, smart phones, etc) within a single network (in a premises environment). LAN is based on standardized structured cabling. These standards were developed in 1990 for a small number of users of phone private switches. Most users were less than 100 m from the ethernet switch. The architecture of structured cabling is based on backbone cabling. There is a link between the telecom closet, which contains a LAN hub or ethernet switch, and the computer room (main cross connect), which contains hubs or switches.
Figure 1. Traditional LAN
Traditional LAN networks use UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cables. Speeds in LAN networks have been constantly increasing - 10 Mbps, after that 100 Mbps, then 1 Gbps, etc. This caused problems in LAN networks, it was necessary to change active devices - switches but also UTP cables. Especially if we are talking about 10 Gbps or 40 Gbps. UTP cable cat 5 is ok for 1 Gbps, but it is not good for 10 Gbps or 40 Gbps. As a result, new categories of UTP cables have been developed - Cat 6 and Cat 8. But the problem is replacing UTP cables - cabling is required again. It is very complex and expensive. There are many problems.
Figure 2. Traditional LAN vs. OLAN
The introduction of optical cables in LAN networks solves many problems. Now we are talking about OLAN. OLAN is short for Optical Local Area Network.
OLAN use three solutions:
FTTD (Fiber To The Desk),
FTTO (Fiber To The Office), and
Passive optical LAN.
There are many advantages of OLAN technology:
SM optical fibers have unlimited bandwidth,
Optical cables have small dimensions compared to UTP cables,
There is no problem if the distance is more than 100 m,
There are a smaller number of cables,
Power requirements are lower,
Cost is lower than standard LAN,
Security solution, etc.
Disadvantage of OLAN are:
This is the best solution for a larger number of hosts,
Installation of optical cables is required, fibers (in these optical cables) have to factory terminated or prepolished/splice optical connectors, and
Testing network and devices are required (testing with OTDR can be a problem).
OLAN can be used in hotels, hospitals, schools, airports, casinos, corporations, government, etc.
I will continue to explain this theme in the next article >> OLANs(2): FTTD
Thank you!
