LAN Architecture Over Fiber Optics

LAN Architecture Over Fiber Optics

A local area network (LAN) is a collection of computer and computer driven devices interconnected together in one physical location, such as a building, office, or home.

Earlier, Most LAN are used the copper cable. Due to popularity and benefits of fiber optics, many LANs are now using fiber optic cables. Copper cables are cheaper than fiber optic cables. But, it has many drawbacks in terms of performance. All drawbacks are perfectly addressed by fiber optic cables. Copper cables can run for 100 meters.

Fiber optic cables can run up to 2000 meters offering more than 100 Mb/s of data transmission speed. Here, we will discuss about the LAN architecture over fiber optics, common types of fiber optic LAN network and their benefits.

Overview of LAN: LAN architecture features fiber optic cables, fiber optic media converters, network switches, transmitters, receivers, etc. However, there are several networks that still use copper cables. LAN is used to extend existing network.

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LAN Architecture Over Fiber Optics

Types of LAN Architecture: Traditional LAN: It utilizes copper cable and posses layer based architecture. The devices in the LAN are connected to the switches in the distribution layer and distribution layer switches are connected to access layer. All this layer to layer connection is done using copper coaxial cable.

Passive Optical LAN: Passive optical LANs is working on the optical network terminal (ONT) and passive optical splitters. It built using cables. Network switches act as passive splitters, whereas the commercial media converters act as optical network terminals in a real-time application of passive optical LAN.

Design of Fiber Optics LAN (FO LAN): Fiber optic LAN (FO LAN) architecture connections rely on Ethernet and Wi-Fi. These two protocols or both these together can be implemented in fiber optic network. Learn the premise LAN system.

The LAN networks carry information over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. An internet zone is created at the transmission location and is then connected to a server. A firewall safeguards this internet connection.

All secondary devices in the network are interconnected and connected to the server computer. Fiber optic cables are used for ensuing these connections. A computer generates electronic signals, and fiber optic cables can carry only optical signals. In such condition, a commercial media converter is used to ensure the conversion of electronic signals to optical pulses.

The fiber optic networks in LANs must be designed effectively to offer consistent results. Several considerations go into the design and installation of these networks.

Learn about Design a Fiber Optic Network for Your LAN in next section.

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LAN Architecture Over Fiber Optics

How to Design a Fiber Optic Network for Your LAN: Define objective and scope to build a new network or even extend the current legacy network as you need scalability for future expansion in same or different areas.

Seamless connectivity and high speed internet is the need of the hour for businesses. It could be reason to switch fiber optics.

Choosing the right equipment is important especially of the geographical distance that encompasses cities or countries. It would high-level fiber optic design and architecture, inter-device relation and communication, hardware robustness, signal strength, and data flow at a given time.

After considering above things, you can draw a layout encompassing maps and actual geographic locations, including the topographies.

Layout can offer ideas of how the cables would be installed, if any PoE devices are required in some areas, and if any actual construction or infrastructure is required such as a wall, casing, and so on.

The equipment and devices must be weather friendly and withstand a range of temperatures, moisture, vibrations, and so on. As cables can run underwater, underground, and in all kinds of nature-related situations.

Visiting these locations physically is an important aspect to design a robust network.

It is also necessary to comply with the government rules and standards in each location as you may need to obtain certain permissions and licenses for digging, and so on.

By and large, accurate requirement gathering from the end-user plays a huge role in this process.

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LAN Architecture Over Fiber Optics

Steps Involved in Installing a Fiber Optic Network: After finalizing the devices and communication equipment, work closely with various vendors and manufacturers and also with technology professionals.

Documentation should be flawless in the design and installation process and serve as the reference material.

Develop a test and inspection plan beforehand and ensure it is executed before the network becomes functional.

Develop documentation and manuals for testing and restoration and ensure the actual installation process is safe for everyone.

Training the staff for using the network is also an important aspect.

Communication with the concerned teams is key and it is important to keep everyone concerned in the loop.

After checking all the above aspects and get the cabling done, you start with the actual implementation process.

The basic step to installing a fiber optic network is to trace your network terminal.

Connect this terminal to the fiber jack or the network box.

Now that the gateway connection is established, plug the power cord to the fiber jack and connect the other end to a power plug.

Once the router is switched on, the LED lights would indicate the same. It may take a few seconds for the lights to stabilize and gain a solid color.

Now, your network should be operational. So, connect your device, such as a laptop to this network to test it.

There are various types of LAN technologies used today. If you plan to build a fiber optic LAN, make sure to source all the devices from a reliable manufacture and supplier.

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