Chapter 7 - End-to-end fiber access system & network scaling

Abstract

A real fiber access network is much more than just the last-mile PON network. In this chapter, we review the end-to-end system that makes up a full fiber access network. We will realize in this chapter that network upgrade and optimization involves much more than the PON section from the OLT to the ONT. In fact, the PON access network may be the last segment that affects the overall network cost and performance. We will look at the various system bottlenecks in scaling an end-to-end FTTH access network. PON redundancy is another subject we will discuss here. Traditionally, residential access networks (whether they are FTTH, HFC, or DSL networks) were rarely built with redundancy. We will explain how to achieve significant advantages in cost and availability to construct FTTH networks with PON access layer redundancy. Lastly, we will explain how Software Defined Network (SDN), a concept widely employed in datacenter networks, can benefit telecom operators.