Skipping the ONT

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macuser

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#151308 20-Aug-2014 21:48

I just picked up a Managed Switch ( 3Com 3CDSG8 ) that has a SFP port, I'm wondering when it comes to a UFB install, could the Fiber be plugged directly into that (with the transceiver of course)

Is it even possible?

Is it allowed?

Would it work?

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#1112459 20-Aug-2014 21:49

No.

^little blunt. Chorus will not allow it under any circumstance. They manage and commission their ONT's ETC.

Andib

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#1112465 20-Aug-2014 22:02

As TimA has said, the ONT is provided and managed by the LFC

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macuser

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#1112469 20-Aug-2014 22:08

Would it technically work though?

Anyway, OK understood, the ONT seems to have GbE anyway, so that should be fine as long as I set up the tagging on the switch.

I just wanted to use that SFP port on the Switch and free up as many GbE ports for other devices.

Coil

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#1112471 20-Aug-2014 22:13

Technically it wouldn't work.
Fair enough, Run a 24 port GBE switch or larger.

Sounddude

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#1112472 20-Aug-2014 22:20

UFB is using a ONT as its GPON based as your signal is split 16-32 ways.

alexj

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#1112503 20-Aug-2014 23:18

AFAIK Ultrafast have a thing I have heard of called "fibre termination" with the Bitstream 4 products up which allows fibre to go straight into customers gear or something along those lines. Had a customer ask about it once and had to ask them. No idea what RSP provides this product though in retail.

sbiddle

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#1112550 21-Aug-2014 07:15

No, no and no (and no to the other question).

In a GPON world the ONT is very closely tied to the OLU.

Bitstream 4 is a HSNS equivalent service with Chorus which doesn't always get terminated with an ONT, it can just use a media converter (which is typically managed) but the SFP can technically be plugged into other hardware.

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BarTender

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#1112553 21-Aug-2014 07:29

sbiddle: No, no and no (and no to the other question).

In a GPON world the ONT is very closely tied to the OLU.

Bitstream 4 is a HSNS equivalent service with Chorus which doesn't always get terminated with an ONT, it can just use a media converter (which is typically managed) but the SFP can technically be plugged into other hardware.

Plus it would be delivered normally using a pair of fibres or use a single mode working SFP which is point to point ethernet over fibre. Not the UFB which is a GPON solution. I suggest you google it.

wired

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#1112588 21-Aug-2014 08:33

Yes you can use a switch with a SFP port to terminate the GPON fibre into without needing a separate ONT - but it won't be supported for a while at least.

Finisar make a ONT within a SFP module for EPON (http://www.finisar.com/products/optical-modules/pon/FTEN211xP1NUN) and they are sometimes referred to as "GPON sticks".

I've seen some GPON versions from other vendors that are expected to be released in 2015.

However there are some issues with them on the UFB network:

- Price: they are currently priced at >~4x the price of a standard ONT so it is not attractive to deploy them for mass market.
- Software: Because they are so leading edge, the OLTs would need an upgrade to support them which is very expensive. However over time the OLTs will receive this functionality as part of the general upgrade cycle so that's a waiting game.
- CFH requirements: CFH require the LFCs to provide a ONT that has 4 data ports and 2 voice ports. An ONT stick doesn't have any ports so doesn't comply and therefore can't be used.

A couple of LFCs have approached CFH about using them for very specific applications and CFH has indicated that they are interested in discussing further.

They would be good for installations such as pole mounted CCTV cameras (the current ONT is too large to put at the top of a pole) and micro cell sites.

So while it will be able to be technically done, it will be some time before it gets offered/supported.

macuser

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#1112816 21-Aug-2014 13:33

wired

Cool, cheers for that!!

BarTender

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#1112825 21-Aug-2014 13:50

macuser:
wired

Cool, cheers for that!!

I think the likelihood of that happening any time soon is very unlikely for a number of reasons.

1) It will be very specific for each LFC to implement. There are 3 different hardware manufacturers in play with Alcatel, Huawei and Ericsson.

2) So you may be able to get it with one. But not the others.

3) This is a regulated product where it doesn't have provisions to support it.

4) You would need to work with the LFC to get the device provisioned as the ONT is owned by the LFC then in reality is this requirement would need to be driven by the LFC.

I personally can't see it happening for such a small number of customers who would ever need it. Just get a P2P link and you are done.

MichaelNZ

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#1114070 23-Aug-2014 14:18

Ultrafast allow this on their Bitstream 4 services which are an active fibre service (ie: not GPON)

Source:
Service Description for Bitstream 4

Brief description:
Bitstream 4 is our performance leading bitstream service. It has over 20 bandwidth profiles ranging from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps. There is sure to be a Bitstream 4 profile that meets your performance and budget requirements. Because Bitstream 4 is deployed across dedicated fibre it has lower latency and jitter characteristics when compared to other Bitstream services. All your Bitstream 4 bandwidth is guaranteed CIR so the capacity you buy is the capacity you get, guaranteed. The full range of VLAN, using a single tag, is provided by default on this service to enable maximum flexibility for corporate users.
http://www.ultrafastfibre.co.nz/about/products-and-technology

WFH Linux Systems and Networks Engineer in the Internet industry | Specialising in Mikrotik | APNIC member | Open to job offers

alexj

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#1114143 23-Aug-2014 16:52

MichaelNZ: Ultrafast allow this on their Bitstream 4 services which are an active fibre service (ie: not GPON)

Source:
Service Description for Bitstream 4

Brief description:
Bitstream 4 is our performance leading bitstream service. It has over 20 bandwidth profiles ranging from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps. There is sure to be a Bitstream 4 profile that meets your performance and budget requirements. Because Bitstream 4 is deployed across dedicated fibre it has lower latency and jitter characteristics when compared to other Bitstream services. All your Bitstream 4 bandwidth is guaranteed CIR so the capacity you buy is the capacity you get, guaranteed. The full range of VLAN, using a single tag, is provided by default on this service to enable maximum flexibility for corporate users.
http://www.ultrafastfibre.co.nz/about/products-and-technology

Thanks MichaelNZ for the much more elegant and fleshed out details of what I mentioned earlier

MichaelNZ

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#1114148 23-Aug-2014 17:03

alexj:
Thanks MichaelNZ for the much more elegant and fleshed out details of what I mentioned earlier

Before anyone gets too excited here are the wholesale circuit prices for the Bitstream 4 service:

100Mbps - $350 to $450
1Gbps - $425 - $1,425
10Gps - $1,325 to $8,325

Prices range is for CIR (Committed Information rate) from 0 to 100%. Contrary to their claim in the service summary (previously quoted), not all BS4 connections are 100% CIR.

The above prices are per month and plus GST. Note this is only for the circuit from Ultrafast to the customer. There is additional costs on top (to the ISP) to get the complete end to end link.

Full details can be found here:
Products and pricing

WFH Linux Systems and Networks Engineer in the Internet industry | Specialising in Mikrotik | APNIC member | Open to job offers

alexj

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#1114149 23-Aug-2014 17:05

MichaelNZ:
alexj:
Thanks MichaelNZ for the much more elegant and fleshed out details of what I mentioned earlier

Before anyone gets too excited here are the wholesale circuit prices for the Bitstream 4 service:

100Mbps - $350 to $450
1Gbps - $425 - $1,425
10Gps - $1,325 to $8,325

Prices range is for CIR (Committed Information rate) from 0 to 100%. Contrary to their claim in the service summary (previously quoted), not all BS4 connections are 100% CIR.

The above prices are per month and plus GST. Note this is only for the circuit from Ultrafast to the customer. There is additional charges on top.

Full details can be found here:
Products and pricing

Oh and once again Ultrafast are still a LFC so you would still need an RSP (Retailer) to sell you the service to get an actual internet connection out of all this. Did I get that right Michael? (you seem like you know a heck load more about this than I do)

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