Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WDM?
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is a technique that enhances bandwidth by enabling multiple data streams to be transmitted concurrently at different frequencies through a single optical fiber network. This technology effectively maximizes the capacity of fiber infrastructure and optimizes network investment returns.
What is optical fiber?
Optical fiber is used to transmit signals in an optical network in the form of light. Typically made from pure silica (glass) because of its exceptional qualities and properties, optical fiber relies on total internal reflection, which is fundamental to fiber optic communication. An optical fiber is essentially composed of three parts: the core, the cladding, and the coating.
How does fiber optics work?
Fiber optics transmit data as pulses of light within a network composed of optical fibers made from pure silica. Optical transceivers facilitate the transport of data traffic by converting data into light. Acting as wavelength-specific lasers, these transceivers transform electrical data signals into optical signals, allowing them to travel over fiber optic cables.
How does an optical transceiver work?
Optical transceivers function as wavelength-specific lasers that convert electrical data signals from data switches into optical signals, or light. These optical signals are then transmitted through optical fiber as pulses of light.
What is the difference between CWDM and DWDM?
The two primary WDM technologies are Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM). The main distinction between these technologies lies in the spacing of transmission channels along the electromagnetic spectrum. The optimal solution for a specific environment depends on the network's characteristics and user requirements.
What is dark fiber?
Optical fiber is essential for fiber networking, where data is transmitted as pulses of light. Typically made from pure silica (glass) due to its high-quality and beneficial properties, dark fiber relies on total internal refraction, a principle crucial for optical communication."Dark" fiber refers to optical fiber that is not yet in use or "lit," meaning no data traffic is currently being transmitted through it.
What is 400ZR?
400ZR is an Ethernet-based fiber optic networking standard designed for transmitting data at 400G speeds over distances of at least 80 km. Developed by the Optical Networking Forum (OIF), this interoperable standard is detailed in the Implementation Agreement (IA) for a 400ZR coherent optical interface.
What is the difference between a SAN and NAS?
SAN (Storage Area Network) and NAS (Network Attached Storage) are both designed to centrally manage enterprise data storage and connect these resources to servers. The primary difference lies in their protocols: SAN uses block-based protocols such as Fibre Channel and iSCSI, while NAS uses file-based protocols like SMB and NFS.
What is Fibre channel?
Fibre Channel is a high-speed data transfer protocol specifically designed for storage area networks (SANs). It facilitates the connection of blocks of data across storage devices to servers. The Fibre Channel Protocol is optimized for transmitting in-order, lossless raw block data with low latency, making it the preferred choice for data centers with mission-critical workloads that require synchronous data mirroring.
What is software defined networking (SDN)?
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) simplifies the management of disaggregated networks, which include components from different vendors. It facilitates vendor-neutral solutions, offering greater flexibility, choice, and growth opportunities. Consequently, SDN supports trends like open networking, digital transformation, and the Internet of Things (IoT)
What is the main benefit of deploying WDM technology?
The main advantage of WDM is its ability to increase bandwidth by enabling multiple data streams, each at different frequencies, to be transmitted simultaneously over a single optical fiber network. Utilizing a fiber optic cable as a ""single lane road"" is inefficient. By permitting various light channels, each with a distinct wavelength, to be transmitted concurrently over an optical fiber, it functions like a multi-lane highway, forming a single virtual fiber network. This allows a single fiber to support up to 80 services simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate fibers for each service.
What is fiber optics?
Fiber optics is a technology that transmits data as pulses of light through slender optical fibers. The light travels through the core of the fiber and is contained by the cladding, which prevents it from escaping. Coating provides insulation and protects the fiber optic cables from rain and other damage.
How does fiber optics work?
Fiber optics transmit data as pulses of light within a network composed of optical fibers made from pure silica. Optical transceivers facilitate the transport of data traffic by converting data into light. Acting as wavelength-specific lasers, these transceivers transform electrical data signals into optical signals, allowing them to travel over fiber optic cables.
What is a mux?
A mux, short for multiplexer, is crucial for optimizing the use of optical fiber. It combines several data streams to be transmitted simultaneously over a single fiber. By taking multiple input signals and merging – or multiplexing – them onto a single, common output line, the multiplexer efficiently utilizes the fiber's capacity.
What is DWDM?
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is a fiber optics technology that connects multiple channels over a dark fiber pair using a multiplexer. This approach maximizes fiber usage and helps organizations meet increasing demands without the need to lay or lease additional fiber until absolutely necessary.
What is a ROADM?
A reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) is a device that enables the transmission of multiple channels of light (DWDM) over a fiber pair. It can add, drop, pass, and redirect wavelengths carrying data channels, allowing for the customization of fiber networks. A key feature of ROADMs is their ability to be remotely reconfigured, facilitating the assignment of bandwidth and routing of WDM network traffic at the wavelength level.
What is a SAN?
A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a high-speed network designed to consolidate blocks of data across multiple storage devices and connect them to servers. SANs enable storage devices to be accessed through servers, making them appear as if they are directly attached from the server's operating system. Often utilized in enterprise data centers for mission-critical workloads and sensitive data, a SAN is commonly known as the network behind the servers.
How to implement san storage?
The majority of all FC SANs are within metro regions with <100km distances, especially SANs that require synchronous mirroring. In most cases, embedded solutions where DWDM transceivers are plugged in directly into the FC switch, are most effective for deploying a Fibre Channel SAN and external high-speed transponders are not needed.
What is DCI?
Data Center Interconnect (DCI) technology connects multiple data centers, facilitating data replication, disaster recovery, business continuity, and optimization of cross-location workloads. DCI ensures seamless data center connectivity, which is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and resilience.