Currently, one of the challenges in deploying new, higher speed services to both enterprise customers as well as MDU/MTU customers is how to deliver these services using the least amount of space possible, while maintaining network flexibility and service quality.  M2 Optics’ recent release of the SplitLight^tm High-Density Platform (HDP) enables unprecedented space savings and enhanced flexibility without sacrificing performance.

Traditionally, products have gone down the path of modularity for two reasons: cost and/or ease of replacement without effecting existing services.  When the LGX form factor was first created for optical splitters, it made sense to have a modular approach for the first reason and to a lesser extent, the latter reason.  When optical splitter modules were first put into the LGX form factor, the cost per splitter was considerably higher than it is today. Therefore, inserting modules into a chassis became a cost effective way to “grow” as needed.  At the same time, the quality of those modules was not as high nor as repeatable as it is today, so despite any changes being service effecting (passive elements are not capable of protection switching around an outage) having the ability to replace the modules was also a key advantage.

What exactly is a PON?  What is the difference between EPON and GPON?  With passive networks becoming very prominent across the communications industry, we’ve outlined some of the most commonly used terms along with their definitions, to help readers become more familiar with this particular technology.  (If you would like to suggest additional related PON terms, feel free to comment and we will update the list accordingly)