Installation guide

Overview
12 FTTH Application Guide
Advanced copper access technologies such as VDSL2 and bonded ADSL2+
and EFM that aggregate multiple copper lines for higher performance often
present a compelling balance of economy and performance. Other options
include a combination of copper and fiber delivering fiber to the curb or
basement and leveraging existing copper at short distances to reach the home
or business. In each case, a balance must be struck considering the
availability of capital, the quality of existing cabling and the cost of
installation.
Zhone Sales representatives can help carriers consider available options and
technologies to select the optimal combination of technologies given their
market, competition, network infrastructure, and the availability of capital.
Fiber Solutions
Fiber solutions are often characterized by how far they reach into the access
network. References include fiber extended to the curb, to the business, to the
node, or after the node to the home and are usually grouped into the acronym
"FTTx," meaning Fiber To The x, where x is any of these subscriber or
near-subscriber endpoints. This document is primarily concerned with FTTH
(Fiber To The Home), applications where endpoints are placed in the home
(with distinct configurations for indoor and outdoor installations).
Fiber-based solutions today generally center on one of two leading
technologies — GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Networks) and Active
Ethernet.
In the carrier's access network, the Optical Line Terminator (OLT) provides
access concentration and serves subscribers in either a star or cascading
topology connections to the Optical Network Termination (ONT) at the
subscriber home (in FTTH applications).
Zhone's MXK multi-service access platform is optimized for the high
bandwidth and service intelligence required of OLT functions in FTTH
applications. Zhone's broad line of zNID ONTs provide access services to
residences and businesses with a range of interfaces and local routing
features. Consult the Zhone Web site or your Zhone sales representative about
the available models.
GPON and Active Ethernet
GPON and Active Ethernet are different transport technologies but they are
both based on the same physical media. Using the ISO model as a guide,
GPON and Active Ethernet specify Data Link or Layer 2 technologies carried
on Layer 1 fiber physical media. Each Layer 2 technology supplies distinct
characteristics which may solve different access problems.
GPON, with its point-to-multipoint architecture, is better suited for shorter
reach settings, such as suburban developments. GPON cost-effectively splits
a fiber signal to multiple subscribers and thus creates a lower cost for each