[c-nsp] Dark Fibre Termination

[Deepak Jain]

> Absolutely! The world of fiber optic networks did not always have WDM gear!
> 
> All you need is a suitable optoelectronic interface, usually a GBIC, SONET
> line card, etc. As long as you only plan to run one service on your dark
> fiber you don't need any WDM equipment to use it. You will need to be sure
> that the electronics you use for the link have sufficient reach with the
> specific fiber you will be using. If you're only running gigabit Ethernet
> or something OC12 or smaller, then you usually only need to worry about
> link margin (loss in dB, which is easy to determine). If you're running
> 10gig Ethernet, OC192, or sometimes OC48 then you need to think about
> dispersion on the link as well.
> 

Just one point. The "reach" Bill is referring to is directly related to 
the length of the Dark Fiber span and the number of 
splices/connectors/patches in between. If you are using a "short span" 
of less than... 500meters, you really never worry about reach. Above 
that, say... a few kilometers or more, reach becomes an issue. Above say 
20 or 30 km you start paying attention to dispersion as well.

Make sure the type of optics you are using are similar on each end... 
mixing SR/LR/XLR optics will require attenuation and all sorts of other fun.

====

Also, if you need to add 1 one wavelength at a later date, instead of 
buying a mux, you can use an add/drop patch cable on either side. Its 
not as efficient (for your link budget/reach concerns) but its very cost 
effective. :)

Deepak Jain
AiNET