Hello, everyone!
Today, I will start to write about troubleshooting optical networks. This is a very important topic.
Optical networks/links can be very important, such as optical networks for monitoring and controlling other systems in traffic, at airports, large corporations, etc. I am talking about very important services, which do not allow interruption. Therefore, it is very important to properly implement the optical network, make detailed documentation and be ready for emergency intervention in case of disaster.
Figure 1. The different problems with optical cables
Before a crash, we need to have a restoration plan, proper documentation, trained people, all tools and instruments and passive and active components (optical closures, optical splitters, media converters, etc), and optical cables.
Problems can occur with optical cables and passive and active equipment. Problems with active equipment are as follows:
problem with power supply,
problem with connectors on the device,
problem with the hardware of the device.
Problems with optical cables and passive optical elements are as follows:
damage to the part or whole of the optical cable due to incorrect cutting, water and moisture penetration, some error, or vandalism. This can happen with all types of cables,
dirty optical connectors,
problems with mechanical or fusion splices,
incorrectly connected cables,
problems with optical splitters and WDM, and
macro bent cables.
During the design and construction of the optical network, we have to think about reserves of optical cable on the optical route – service loops, redundant optical fibers in the cable, spare pipes, two independent optical links, backup power supplies of active equipment, etc.
The ring topology is the best topology because it allows two independent links. Modifications with other topologies are possible. Automation is very important. In case of damage to the active link, services are immediately switched to the backup link - upstream and downstream protection.
Spare pipes allow the installation of a new cable but this is more the case for construction rather than for troubleshooting. But it can be taken as an option.
Cable reserves or service loops should be left on the route. In case of cable damage, the optical cable can be repaired faster, without inserting a new optical cable and forming two optical closures.
Spare fibers in the cable allow us to quickly switch services in case of problems with the active fiber (bent, cracked, etc.).
This is the end of this article. I will continue to write about this topic in the next article >> Troubleshooting optical networks (2).
Thank you!
