Applications
* Fiber exchange points:
Wherever large numbers of fiber
strands come together in a junction place, cross-connects
can be used to connect all the fibers together, allowing
completely programmable connections. In many cases,
these fiber strands are using CWDM to multiplex many
streams or customers onto each fiber. In this case,
cross-connects can be used together with passive Mux/Demuxes
and 'colored' SFP optical interfaces to provide a
completely configurable wavelength and fiber switch,
allowing total control over which wavelength from
each fiber is connected to which other fiber and wavelength.
* Wire-once Enterprise:
In many Enterprise wiring closets, the state of change
is the normal state of affairs. Here, cross-connects
can be used to replace the optical or copper patch
panels so that any change in fundamental topology
(for example, if a router or switch is added or removed,
or simply needs a different connection) can be achieved
by simply reprogramming the cross-connect, without
the administrator having to physically touch any of
the cables.
* Test labs:
Test labs administrators face several challenges that
are eased with cross-connects. First, test operators
need to use expensive test equipment efficiently.
Cross-connects allow operators to share interfaces
on a piece of test equipment that is located centrally.
Additionally, someone constantly has to rewire or
move cables around from place to place, which is cumbersome,
and can interfere with test results. A programmable
cross-connect allows total control over the entire
test lab infrastructure, and enables the test operators
quickly and easily to change the test setup.
* Network simulation:
Cross-connects dramatically simplify network simulation
setup and reconfiguration by simply allowing a software
programmable connection between the various devices
on simulated network. Each device is attached to the
cross-connect via as many connections as necessary,
and the cross-connect is programmed and reprogrammed
to create the desired network topology. A cross-connect
can easily be used to simulate network outages or
cable breaks as well. Ports on the cross-connect can
also act as network analysis (or mirror) ports, allowing
a single network analysis device to be used for any
given protocol (Gigabit Ethernet or ATM, for example).
* Video distribution via physical layer multicasting:
Cross-connects can be used in a digital video distribution
environment, such as an educational video network
on a campus. The cross-connect broadcasts the video
from a single source to all the other ports, using
the port-to-multiport physical layer multicasting
feature. In doing this, the digital signal is regenerated
which allows a better quality signal than the traditional
'vampire-tap' approach. Additionally, using optical
SFPs, fiber optic cabling can be used to reach long
distances between devices, allowing a Metro-wide deployment
of a single digital video source.
Request
more information
