Here are some of my collection of newest trends and predictions for year 2018. I have not invented those ideas what will happen next year completely myself. I have gone through many articles that have given predictions for year 2018. Then I have picked and mixed here the best part from those articles (sources listed on the end of posting) with some of my own additions to make this posting.This article contains very many quotations from those source articles.
Big Data, mobility and the Internet of Things (IoT) are generating an enormous amount of data, and data center operators must find ways to support higher and higher speeds. Recent data center trends predict bandwidth requirements will continue growing 25 percent to 35 percent per year. Many older data centers were designed to support 1-gigabit or 10-gigabit pathways between servers, routers and switches. Today’s Ethernet roadmap extends from 25- and 40-gigabit up through 100-gigabit, and 400-gigabit and even 1-terabit Ethernet loom within a few years. The biggest sales are forecasted for 25G and 100G ports for next few years. Ethernet switch market has now 100 Gbit/s products in the volumes at the moment, and both 200G and 400G Ethernet versions will be taken to use in 2018.
Broadcom dominates the Ethernet switch chip market today with a 73 to 94 percent share, depending on how market watchers slice the sector valued at nearly a billion dollars. Its closest rival, Cisco Systems, takes most of the rest with systems using its own ASICs. Juniper, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Huawei also make Ethernet switch ASICs for their systems. With seven merchant chips in the pipeline and four in-house ASICs in the works, we will see a record number of unique platforms ship in 2018. Wheeler of the Linley Group expects the competition will drive Ethernet switch costs from about $60/port today to about $36/port by 2020.
Data center giants “are driving their own code and programmable capabilities as close to the server as possible.” The dozen largest data center operators — including the likes of Facebook and Google — build their own switch systems or specify systems built by ODMs. They can drive sales of millions of chips a year but demand maximum bandwidth at minimum cost and power consumption. The Tomahawk-3 is geared for the next-generation of their top-of-rack and aggregation switches, delivering up to 128 100GE or 32 400GE ports, the first merchant chip to support 400GE rates.
China will start making more optical components: Several Western component and subsystems vendors have cited reduced demand from Chinese systems houses such as Huawei and ZTE for revenue declines in 2017. One reason for the slowdown is the fact that these systems houses have begun looking for more local optical technology sources. In addition to doing more development work in-house (particularly in the case of Huawei), the two Chinese systems vendors have begun to work more closely with Chinese companies such as Accelink, Hisense, and HiSilicon as well as Japanese vendors. This can mean that Western firms (particularly in the U.S.) may not see their Chinese orders return to previous levels.
Higher power power over Ethernet: 802.3bt – IEEE Draft Standard for Ethernet Amendment: Physical Layer and Management Parameters for DTE Power via MDI over 4-Pair amendment to IEEE Std 802.3-2015 increases the maximum PD power available by utilizing all four pairs in the specified structured wiring plant. This represents a substantial increase to the capabilities of Ethernet with standardized power – allow delivery of up to 90 watts of power via existing Ethernet cabling. The Ethernet Alliance has announced details of its next plugfest: Dedicated to pre-standard testing of Power over Ethernet (PoE) technologies against Draft 3.2 of the IEEE P802.3bt standard, the event will be held in February 2018. The specification’s ratification is expected in September of 2018.
802.11ax hasn’t been signed off yet, but promises to send WiFi towards 10 Gb/s thanks to its use of both multi-user multiple-input and multiple-output (MU-MIMO) and the new Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). 802.11ax is good at combining lots of different links so that users get more connections, more often, and end up with more bandwidth. Marvell claims it’ll have the first chipsets for new 10G WiFi ready for products in H2 2018. Marvell said the chipsets will ship some time in early 2018 and will appear in products in the second half of the year. Widespread 802.11ax adoption in devices probably won’t happen until 2019.
5G something in it for everyone. 5G is big. 5G New Radio (NR) wireless technology will ultimately impact everyone in the electronics and telecommunications industries. Most estimates say 2020 is when we will ultimately see some real 5G deployments on a scale. In the meantime, companies are firming up their plans for whatever 5G products and services they will offer. Though test and measurement solutions will be key in the commercialization cycle. 5G is set to disrupt test processes. If 5G takes off, the technology will propel the development of new chips in both the infrastructure and the handset. Data centers require specialty semiconductors from power management to high-speed optical fiber front-ends. 5G systems will drive more complexity in RF front-ends .
Networks will become more and more virtual, especially on 5G. 5G networks will build on LTE network architecture with the introduction of cloud RANs (C-RANs) and virtualized RANs. Network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN) tools and architectures could enable operators to reduce network costs and simplify deployment. For more details read System architecture milestone of 5G Phase 1 is achieved article.
Automotive Ethernet: Automotive Ethernet will replace the Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) bus found on many vehicles today and also compete with systems like Maxim’s Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (GMSL). The standards include IEEE 802.3bw 100BASE-T1 and IEEE P802.3bp 1000BASE-T1 that adopt the 100-Mb/s and 1-Gb/s Ethernet protocols to run over over a single twisted pair up to 15 meters. Chips, PHYs and switches are now readily available for automotive Ethernet. Automotive switches will support time-sensitive networking (TSN) features like audio video bridging (AVB) ingress policy, rate limiting andalso features 802.1Qav/Qbv queue-shaping support. We will need a Security Blanket for Automotive Ethernet.
Car-to-car communication: The industry and government have defined several versions of vehicular communications. These are vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X). V2V is the direct communications between vehicles within range of one another. V2V link-up is automatic and cars exchange status information messages Basic Safety Message (BSM) 10 times per second (contains data such as GPS location, speed, direction, brake status, and related conditions). There are competing technologies to make this all work. IEEE802.11p ahead of LTE-V2V for safety critical applications. 5G will offer increased capacity and decreased latency for some critical applications such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and self-driving vehicles. The big question is whether 5G will disrupt the landscape or fall short of its promises.
TSN (time sensitive networking) will be talked on many application. Success in the IIoT requires that information- and operational-technology networks work in tandem—time-sensitive networking can make it happen. A converged industrial network will address several challenges that currently exist in today’s disparate network architecture, and it is believed that needed convergence is provided by time-sensitive networking (TSN). TSN is a set of IEEE 802 sub-standards that, when implemented, enable deterministic communication over Ethernet networks while keeping the benefits of communication in best effort manner, on that same network. TSN introduces different traffic classes that share the same link. Proper implementation of TSN requires a solution that can provide a low latency and deterministic response at TSN end points and TSN bridges – it is usually implemented with combining a processor and a FPGA or using advanced Ethernet switch chip.
Gartner analyst says on-premises data centers will soon be ‘useless’: Govekar said that as soon as 2019, at least a third of the largest software vendors will have transitioned their products from cloud-first to cloud-only. For this reason Gartner analyst predicts doom for on-premises data centers. If this happens , there will be a lot of work for network operators and cloud service companies to be able to build the infrastructure that can handle all this without problems. I expect that not all on-premises data centers are doomed. There are applications where moving everything to central could does not make sense – for example many IoT applications are moving some of the processing from cloud to edge devices for various reasons (lower latency, reduce needed bandwidth, work also when communications does not work etc..). There is also place for some on-premises data centers on some application (may them be depending on need anything from embedded server to room full of equipment racks). When designing for the IoT, security needs to be addressed from the Cloud down to each and every edge device. Protecting data is both a hardware and a software requirement, as more data is being stored and analyzed in edge devices and gateways.
Network neutrality talks will continue in 2018. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on December 14, 2017 overturned the Title II-based Open Internet Order the previous Democratic-controlled FCC regime put in place in 2015. So what happens next? In the immediate term, nothing. The Restoring Internet Freedom Order won’t go into effect until sometime in the first half of 2018.
IPv6 usage seems to be finally accelerating in 2018. IPv6 has been a “future” since 1998, and an important future since 2007. IPv6 deployments have been increasing and chances are you have already used IPv6 – but haven’t realized it yet. IPv6 deployment is increasing around the world, with over 9 million domain names and 23% of all networks advertising IPv6 connectivity. Network admins will have many concerns about migrating to IPv6 in 2018. China plans to put the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)-based network into large-scale use, to boost the development of the Internet industry. China aims to have 200 million active users of IPv6 by the end of 2018. IPv6 use is increasing, but that does not mean that IPv4 is no way dying. It seems that both of those technologies will co-exist in Internet for a long time.
Sources:
Chinese systems houses engaging with alternative component, subsystem sources: LightCounting
System architecture milestone of 5G Phase 1 is achieved
Five technology trends for 2018
NI Trend Watch 2018 explores trends driving the future faster
ADAS Needs V2X to Meet ITS Goals
Taking Automotive Ethernet for a Test Drive
A Security Blanket for Automotive Ethernet
TSN: Converging Networks for a Better Industrial IoT
Gartner analyst says on-premises data centers will soon be ‘useless’
Gartner analyst predicts doom for on-premises data centers
M2M within the IoT – Pushing Security from the Cloud Down to Every Last Endpoint
Net Neutrality Overturned: Now What?
B’com Shifts Switch to 12.8 Tbits/s
Planning starts now for high-speed data center migration
China to speed up IPv6-based Internet development
Top 5 Concerns of Network Admins About Migrating to IPv6 in 2018
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Tomi Engdahl says:
US Probing Chinese Tech Firm Huawei for Possible Iran Sanctions Violations: Sources
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us-probing-chinese-tech-firm-huawei-for-possible-iran-sanctions-violations-sources_2505651.html
NEW YORK/LONDON—Prosecutors in New York have been investigating whether Chinese tech company Huawei violated U.S. sanctions in relation to Iran, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Since at least 2016, U.S. authorities have been probing Huawei’s alleged shipping of U.S.-origin products to Iran and other countries in violation of U.S. export and sanctions laws, two of the sources said.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How SFP transceivers can enable quick, cost-effective fiber connectivity for manifold applications
http://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/04/sfp-contrib-patton.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-04-30&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2085246
Bandwidth usage is increasing and we never seem to have enough of it. The full range of applications and associated systems — such as streaming video, video conferencing, two way telepresence, fifth-generation mobile networks (5G), streaming 4K/UltraHD TV, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) which are new forms of immersive media, Internet of Things (IoT), High-Speed Internet Access (HSIA), cloud computing-based communications and storage architectures, automation technologies, and more — are available and plausible only if you have adequate bandwidth.
Indeed, fiber-optic communication systems can deliver the required high bandwidth and high-speed connectivity. For fiber optic communication systems, transceivers with hot –swappable Small Form Factor pluggable (SFP) / SFP+ optical and electrical modules can enable quick and cost-effective fiber-optic connectivity for many deployment scenarios and applications. Just slot in the SFP module and, presto, your application connectivity is up — and if you are a service provider, you are ready to serve your subscribers.
One such SFP / SFP+ product that can prove very useful is Patton’s FiberPlex TD-6010 12.5 Gbps transceiver. Network and interface upgrades are easy because the SFP’s are interchangeable on the TD-6010. Further, you do not have to maintain a fleet of equipment/devices for repairs or upgrades of your current infrastructure or a change in applications. The choice is yours; you select the modules all based on your needs, applications, and required setup.
The Patton slide-in SFP modules provide unparalleled flexibility for various media types, distances and applications.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Software Defined Video Over Ethernet
http://sdvoe.org/
It is universally acknowledged that the transition of the AV industry to IP-based solutions is inevitable. Moving AV distribution to IP offers the possibility to create dramatically new architectures and entirely new user experiences. However, too many different approaches exist and are confusing the market and customers. Furthermore, many technologies simply fail to meet the performance needs of pro AV. For these reasons, adoption of AV over IP has been slow.
The SDVoE Alliance is bringing leading companies in the space together around a standardized hardware and software platform. The SDVoE platform will disrupt the pro AV industry by enabling applications that were previously unrealizable.
All AV distribution applications that demand zero-latency, uncompromised video can benefit from SDVoE technology. SDVoE network architectures are based on off-the-shelf Ethernet switches thus offering substantial cost savings and greater system flexibility and scalability over traditional approaches. Markets that benefit from SDVoE technology include education, healthcare, enterprise, entertainment, hospitality, retail, houses of worship, government, military, industrial and security.
A Full Stack Solution for AV over IP
http://sdvoe.org/technology/
SDVoE is the only off-the-shelf technology that offers a “full stack solution.” Other technologies provide only parts of a solution – how to move bits down a wire, or how to deal with timing errors on a network. Each of these pieces of the puzzle are important, but without SDVoE, manufacturers and users are left to cobble together solutions out of many pieces. SDVoE addresses the full 7-layer OSI stack and offers solutions at every layer. We take the very best of what the IT industry gives us for moving bits from place to place – TIA-568 cable plants, Ethernet, TCP/IP and IGMP then add SDVoE on top.
SDVoE Session Management addresses how the SDVoE controller manages issues like which device will broadcast on which multicast address, who is subscribed to various audio and video feeds, and where to route IR and COM control signals.
SDVoE Adaptive Clock Resynchronization is the way SDVoE devices encode and decode HDMI audio and video signals. This technology converts those signals into and back from network streams for the lower layers.
The SDVoE API technically fits into layer 7, but really serves as the interface between the application layer and everything below it. The SDVoE API lets manufacturers, developers and system integrators exercise their creativity to reimagine traditional AV use cases and invent totally new ones not yet conceived or even possible without the SDVoE platform.
SDVoE technology creates a flexible hardware and software platform which can enable many applications including matrix switches, KVM switches, video walls controllers and multiview image processors. It can also be integrated into sources and displays, all networkable. But beyond that, SDVoE technology paves the way for the creation of whole new classes of applications.
Interoperability
The technology that underlies all SDVoE products is the same – the SDVoE API, SDVoE clock resynchronization and SDVoE session management. This ensures that devices from different manufacturers are interoperable by design. AV traffic, as well as control, pass seamlessly from one to any other, and the unified API allows software built on the SDVoE platform to control all functions of any SDVoE core hardware.
Tomi Engdahl says:
ONF launches Open and Disaggregated Transport Network project
http://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/onf-launches-open-and-disaggregated-transport-network-project.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-05-03&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2090749
The ONF has launched the Open and Disaggregated Transport Network (ODTN) project, which aims to create an open source software stack that will support the disaggregation of optical transponders and open optical line systems (OLSs). Phase 1 of the project, which runs through this fall, will focus on point-to-point optical links, with subsequent phases targeting mesh network requirements such as protection, restoration, and calendaring.
According to ONF Vice President of Marketing and Ecosystem Timon Sloane and ODTN Project TST Lead Marc De Leenheer, the effort has the backing of China Unicom, Comcast, NTT Communications, Telefonica, and TIM, all of whom will conduct lab integration and evaluation of the software stack in action. Telefonica, in fact, plans to begin a lab trial this month, with NTT Communications slated to follow in the June/July timeframe. The ONF spokesmen added they expect to see field trials based on the ODTN project’s work as well.
Open and Disaggregated Transport Network (ODTN)
https://www.opennetworking.org/solutions/odtn/
Tomi Engdahl says:
IDT introduces GX76470 die linear driver for 400G and 600G applications
http://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/idt-introduces-gx76470-die-linear-driver-for-400g-and-600g-applications.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-05-03&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2090749
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT; NASDAQ: IDTI) said it has introduced the GX76470 64G die linear driver for optical integrated modules for 400G and 600G coherent applications.
The IDT GX76470 linear driver is designed for the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) defined, integrated optical subassembly modules, including the high-bandwidth co-packaged driver modulator (HB-CDM), and integrated coherent transmitter-receiver optical subassembly (IC-TROSA). Such subassemblies enable optical transceiver module miniaturization and component cost reduction for 400G ZR, metro, and data center interconnect (DCI) applications. IDT sees the GX76470 enabling optical subassemblies that are potentially applicable to QSFP-DD, OSFP, CFP4-ACO, and CFP2-DCO optical modules.
Delivering more than 40 GHz of bandwidth with a peaking control functionality, the GX76470 die linear driver features an AC-coupled 100-W differential input/DC-coupled 55-W differential output interface. Transmission register integration on the driver die assures optimal impedance matching with optical modulators, IDT attests. The driver has tuning capabilities for linearity, output voltage swing, and power consumption through SPI registers.
The GX76470 supplies high linearity, with coverage of the maximum output voltage swing range of 2.8 Vpp differential, total harmonic distortion (THD) of less than 1.5% up to 2 Vpp differential output voltage swing, and less than 0.5 W per channel power consumption.
Tomi Engdahl says:
What’s inside the Undersea Internet Cable?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7stcJ65_X4
DID YOU KNOW there are over 250 internet cables under the oceans of the world?!?! We CUT IN HALF a cable to see the amazing cross section!
TE SubCom – Repeatered Undersea Cable Networks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q61DHtgFqa0
Tomi Engdahl says:
Fiber optic cable deployment along railroad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsTExkjJVCY
This video shows how to establish trenches for ducting systems along railroads. Denmark is currently implementing a large-scale infrastructure programme for the modernization of the railway lines several places throughout the country. Being a producer of ducting systems for network communication it was a natural thing for us to participate.
Optical Fiber Cable splicing and Routing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPv0PyF3zLc
Tomi Engdahl says:
FIS Single Fiber and Ribbon Fiber Splicing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVrzW83fZhI
In this FIS video you will see single-fiber fusion splicing and ribbon-fiber fusion splicing on the AFL 70S and AFL 70R splicing machines.
Installation Video for AFL FuseConnect SC and LC Connectors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcqCLIBV3sk
Installation video for splice on SC and LC FuseConnect connectors on 2 and 3 mm diameter simplex cable.
Installation Guide of Field Installable Fiber Connector SC/APC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTposrn-OQ4
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/05/04/dna-nostaa-runkoverkon-5g-vauhtiin/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Verizon brings disaggregation, single-platform approach to edge routers
http://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/verizon-brings-disaggregation-single-platform-approach-to-edge-routers.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_friday_5_2018-05-04&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2092261
Verizon says it has collaborated with router suppliers Cisco and Juniper Networks to combine the service edge routers that support its Ethernet and IP-based services onto a single platform. The approach leverages software-defined networking (SDN) to create a disaggregated control plane for the router platforms, which Verizon expects will improve operational efficiency. The use of external compute capabilities will provide the control plane with capabilities beyond that of a traditional router, the service provider adds.
The approach will simplify the network edge and improve infrastructure deployment and provisioning of infrastructure and services, Verizon says. Technology changes will become easier to deal with as well, the service provider expects. The operator has already begun to roll out the new technology, a process it expects will continue through the end of next year. By then, all legacy edge router functions should be replaced, Verizon says.
“Software-defined networking continues to deliver on its promise to improve network management and also enables us to be more nimble in the ways we serve our customers,”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Platinum Tools launches bendable RJ45 Flex Connector at InfoComm 2018
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/05/platinum-flex-connector.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-07&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2093565
In a run-up to InfoComm 2018 (June 6-8) in Las Vegas, Platinum Tools has announced the launch of what it calls the first bendable RJ45 connector. Available in shielded and non-shielded versions (p/ns 106220; 106230), the company’s new Flex Connector is now shipping.
The company says the Flex Connector accommodates multiple category sizes (Cat 5e/6/6A) up to 9.0 mm with 24-22 AWG conductors. Factory pre-set contacts improve reliability. The connector is rated for electronic safety and security applications and is PoE+ rated, 1GHz, and 10-Gigabit certified for high data traffic. The new product also meets cable standards including: ISO 11801 Edition 2, EIA/TIA 568-C.2, TIA1096-A, BICSI/ANSI D005 and ANSI/TIA-862-A.
“Flex Connector is the first bendable RJ45 connector and makes network cable terminations easier than ever,”
https://www.platinumtools.com/
Tomi Engdahl says:
OCC launches SMPTE fiber-optic cabling, modular enclosures for deployable broadcasting applications
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/05/occ-smpte-fiber.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-07&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2093565
Optical Cable Corp. (OCC) has introduced a new line of SMPTE [Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers] -approved fiber-optic cables and enclosures designed to address a variety of studio, stadium, and/or deployable broadcasting user needs. The company notes that, as the demand for 4K content grows and with the promise of 8K resolution on the horizon, broadcasters are increasingly looking to move to high-bandwidth fiber-optic cabling solutions to push the increased data flow. To meet those demands, OCC has introduced the new line of SMPTE cables and enclosures that are designed to address a wide variety of user needs.
“Some applications require cable capable of exceptional flexibility, hybrid fiber-and-copper configuration, or have varying requirements for flame retardancy,” explains OCC senior engineer Scott Fitzgerald. “This family of SMPTE cable offerings is engineered to handle virtually any application requirement.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cisco selling video business unit
http://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/05/cisco-selling-video-business-unit.html?cmpid=enl_btr_video_technology_2018-05-07&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
Permira Funds has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cisco’s (NASDAQ:CSCO) Service Provider Video Software Solutions (SPVSS) business. Following the close of the transaction, Permira Funds plans to create a new, rebranded company focused on developing and delivering video solutions for the pay TV industry.
The new company will encompass Cisco’s Infinite Video Platform, cloud digital video recording, video processing, video security, video middleware, and services groups. Dr. Abe Peled, former chairman and CEO of NDS and adviser to Permira Funds, will serve as chairman of the new company. The sale of the Cisco SPVSS business has been approved by Cisco’s board of directors.
Tomi Engdahl says:
FTTx/PON testing
reference poster
https://www.exfo.com/umbraco/surface/file/download/?ni=13597&cn=en-US
Tomi Engdahl says:
For Ethernet switches, 25/100G surging, 200/400G to make inroads
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/print/volume-26/issue-4/departments/infrastructure-insights/for-ethernet-switches-25-100g-surging-200-400g-to-make-inroads.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-08&pwhid=e8db06ed14609698465f1047e5984b63cb4378bd1778b17304d68673fe5cbd2798aa8300d050a73d96d04d9ea94e73adc417b4d6e8392599eabc952675516bc0&eid=293591077&bid=2095045
IHS Markit recently released its “Data Center Network Equipment” market tracker report, which showed that worldwide data center Ethernet switch revenue grew 12 percent YoY in 3Q17, reaching $2.9 billion. Key segments driving market demand, according to the researcher, were purpose-built switches, which grew 13 percent YoY; and bare metal switches, a segment that grew 47 percent YoY and continues to flourish, as customers transition from traditional switches to white box and branded bare metal models.
According to IHS Markit, the number of data center Ethernet switch ports shipped worldwide grew 24 percent YoY in 3Q17, reaching 12.5 million. 25GE and 100GE switch ports experienced significant uptake, notes the analyst, resulting in 251 percent and 369 percent YoY growths, respectively. Yet, these two port speeds combined only to make up 16 percent of ports shipped, while 10GE still leads with 61 percent of ports shipped in 3Q17.
IHS Markit forecasts 25/100GE ports shipped to rise to 46 percent combined, and 10GE to decrease to 46 percent by 2021, as customers migrate from 10GE to 25GE server connections, and 100GE ASPs decline, making them more viable options for large and small cloud service providers (CSPs) to deploy. The continued adoption of 25GE between servers and ToR switches will push adopters of 25GE to upgrade to 100GE for interswitch connectivity, adds the analyst, nothing that this shift is now underway in the enterprise.
“The market for 10GE/40GE has seen a shift with ASPs [average selling prices] falling rapidly; the number of ports shipped is also slowing, with revenue growth of 10GE and 40GE port shipments following unit shipments,”
Tomi Engdahl says:
4 basic ‘how-to’ rules of fiber polarity
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/05/belden-franc-polarity.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-08&pwhid=e8db06ed14609698465f1047e5984b63cb4378bd1778b17304d68673fe5cbd2798aa8300d050a73d96d04d9ea94e73adc417b4d6e8392599eabc952675516bc0&eid=293591077&bid=2095045
As fiber becomes the media of choice for high-speed data transport, the number of fibers (and connections) is increasing, making apathy toward understanding polarity detrimental to the success of system installation.
Today’s world is more complex; solutions (or methods in TIA standards terminology) are made up of varied components with similar labels (such as Type A, Type B and Type C) that can be interpreted in different ways.
The reason it’s so complicated has to do with how all of these components interact. There are issues of general fiber polarity (straight/flipped/crossed/other), gender (male/female), orientation (KeyUp/KeyUp, or KeyUp/KeyDown) and end-face alignment (straight or angled), as well as pinning (in the case of MPOs, which are identical except for how the alignment pins are set). All of these factors impact polarity.
In the method we share here, established by Belden (a modified Method B), there are four basic rules that will allow us to construct simple and complex channels using a series of common components and a unified strategy.
Here are the basic rules for implementing a system with polarity, as written for Base-12, which I come across most often (with Base-8 listed as the exception):
1. All patch cords and trunk cables should be Type B.
If the patch cord has an MPO connector, it must be female-female.
All trunks are male-male.
If you have to extend a trunk, use a male-female Type A trunk extender.
2. If you are converting MPO trunks into a duplex environment, you must use Type A cassettes/hydras at each end.
To ensure that port mapping is correct, a Type A cassette shall be used at one end, and a Type A alternate (to map ports correctly) shall be used at the other.
If you want to use a hydra to pre-wire the switch in a traditional harness-type orientation, use a Type A hydra assembly to the switch.
When installing Type A and Type A alternate components, always leave the Type A highest in the network hierarchy (this will let you harness the switches as referenced above in 2b).
3. Make sure that, when using OS2 connectivity, any duplex assemblies align from an end-face geometry (i.e. straight or angled polished) or damage will occur, and your system will not work.
This only applies to duplex connectors; all OS2 MPO connectors are APC, so there is no mismatch possible.
4. If Base-8, also sometimes referred to as SR4 (because this is the application it was originally written for), just use SR4 components at each end that requires it (instead of Type A).
If desired, Base-8 trunks can also be used to connect Base-8 components instead of a Base-12 trunk.
The use of Base-12 trunks (even for SR4-type applications) should be considered; this reduces operational risk to the facility and lowers the variance in the number of components.
You will never have to stock both straight (Type A) and flipped (Type B) duplex patch cords again. More importantly, you will be certain each and every time you plug something in that transmit will be talking to receive.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To Repair the Accidentally Cut Fiber Optic Cable?
https://community.fs.com/blog/how-to-repair-the-accidentally-cut-fiber-optic-cables.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
FTTH Wall-Outlet assembly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lJpqU1lnIk
Assembly instruction for the Diamond-Feller FTTH Wall-outlet
FO Outlet / Optical Termination Outlets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wufrSU0rihw
Broadband services of the future are crossing the thresholds of our homes today. Optical fibers are now entering our living rooms. Fiber to the Home (FTTH) is complete. Optical termination outlets from R&M open up brand new possibilities to service subscribers.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Telstra technician connects customer home to fibre – Point Cook, Victoria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMYe1xsB7Qc
A tour of my home network (FTTP)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FykOwI5qvwE
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Insanity Of Internet In Australia (NBN)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haImi4cWau0
Dave shows you inside the MDF communications room in his building and all the fibre optic installations, including the new Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) NBN (National Broadband Network), and discusses the insanely high prices and the politics involved in getting decent internet in one of the biggest business parks in Sydney.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Home> Community > Blogs > 5G Waves
AT&T sours on 5G fixed wireless broadband
https://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/5g-waves/4460617/AT-T-sours-on-5G-fixed-mobile-broadband
AT&T doesn’t have a good business case for fixed wireless broadband, according to company CFO John Stephens. It’s a remarkable assertion for a number of reasons.
A couple of years back, AT&T and Verizon irritated the entire wireless industry by demanding an acceleration in the wireless technology standards process so that they could market a service they could plausibly call 5G in 2018, rather than wait for 2020, the original target for the ratification of the first 5G standards.
The service that AT&T and Verizon were determined to rush to market is fixed wireless broadband, which is “fixed” in that neither the transmitter nor (more to the point) the receiver moves. It will be a predominantly residential service, possibly useful also for small businesses.
A couple of years back, AT&T and Verizon irritated the entire wireless industry by demanding an acceleration in the wireless technology standards process so that they could market a service they could plausibly call 5G in 2018, rather than wait for 2020, the original target for the ratification of the first 5G standards.
The service that AT&T and Verizon were determined to rush to market is fixed wireless broadband, which is “fixed” in that neither the transmitter nor (more to the point) the receiver moves. It will be a predominantly residential service, possibly useful also for small businesses.
There is a set of technologies that are essential to 5G networks, which can also be used to improve the performance of 4G networks. Those technologies include higher order modulation (256 QAM), multiple antennas (4×4 multiple input/multiple output, or MIMO), and carrier aggregation (3- and 4-way). Those are the technologies that AT&T and Verizon were eager to have standardized in 2018. They got their wish. Now, they are using these technologies in their 4G networks to enable fixed wireless broadband.
Both AT&T and Verizon see value in being first with a 5G service; never mind that it isn’t really 5G. Marketing hype has some value but, more importantly, those 5G enablers can boost 4G networks closer to parity with wireline networks in terms of bandwidth. AT&T, Verizon, and others have been touting experiments that show fixed wireless broadband works. Most companies testing fixed wireless broadband claim to have achieved transmission speeds of several hundred megabits a second.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Things are looking bleak as ZTE ceases main business operations
https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/09/things-are-looking-bleak-as-zte-ceases-main-business-operations/?utm_source=tcfbpage&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=FaceBook&sr_share=facebook
AdChoices
Things are looking bleak as ZTE ceases main business operations
Brian Heater
@bheater / 10 hours ago
ZTE Axon Mini
ZTE wasn’t kidding around when it suggested that a U.S. Department of Commerce order would “severely impact” its survival. It’s hard to image a successful path around the seven-year ban on the sale of U.S. products to the company imposed after it reportedly failed to sufficiently reprimand staff for flouting Iranian sanctions.
Earlier today, in fact, the Chinese smartphone/telecom manufacturer announced that it had ceased its main business operations as it attempts to figure out the best way forward.
“As a result of the Denial Order, the major operating activities of the company have ceased,” the company wrote in an exchange filing spotted by Reuters.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Four Technologies That Will Affect Your Enterprise Network, and How to Support Them in Your Premise Networks
https://www.cablinginstall.com/whitepapers/2018/05/four-technologies-that-will-affect-your-enterprise-network-and-how-to-support-them-in-your-premise-networks.html?cmpid=eg_cablinginstallationmaintenance__2018-05-09&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=316207186&bid=2096845
including SD-WAN, PoE++, 5G Cellular Wireless and Advanced Wi-Fi
Tomi Engdahl says:
TE SubCom launches Ocean Control suite for remote programmability and terrestrial and undersea cable network control
http://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/te-subcom-launches-ocean-control-suite-for-remote-programmability-and-terrestrial-and-undersea-cable-network-control.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-05-10&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2099665
TE SubCom, a TE Connectivity Ltd. company, said it has launched its Ocean Control suite to deliver comprehensive remote programmability and full communications network control for both terrestrial and undersea cable networks based on software-defined networking (SDN). The platform is designed to enable automated control over each part of a communications network, which will substantially increase the capabilities and options for an external orchestrator, says TE SubCom.
To interface with submarine network elements such as wavelength selective switch (WSS) ROADMs, the suite uses RESTful application programming interfaces (APIs) with read and write functionality. Among the first to tap into the new API capabilities is SubCom partner Ciena, the company says (see “TE SubCom, Ciena target open submarine cable networks”). TE SubCom will demonstrate the new capabilities throughout May to a select audience in Ciena”s Ottawa labs.
According to TE SubCom, this technology signifies a major milestone in network control efficiency through SDN.
Tomi Engdahl says:
MegaChips lead investor in $10 million round in Sckipio to accelerate G.fast adoption
http://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/megachips-lead-investor-in-10-million-round-in-sckipio-to-accelerate-g-fast-adoption.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-05-10&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2099665
G.fast silicon pioneer Sckipio used the Intel Capital Global Summit in Palm Desert, CA this week to announce that it raised $50 million U.S. to date, with its latest $10 million round led by Japanese semiconductor company MegaChips. The additional investments will be used to support G.fast rollouts with Tier 1 service providers worldwide, says Sckipio.
According to a recent Broadbandtrends survey, 80% of broadband operators plan to deploy G.fast technology within their network by the end of 2018
“G.fast technology is an important technology, especially in multi-dwelling units (MDUs),” said Teresa Mastrangelo, Broadbandtrends founder.
“Demand for G.fast products is ramping up quickly as consumers and businesses desire affordable, ultra-high-speed broadband solutions, and our partnership with Sckipio helps us drive these solutions to market quickly,”
Sckipio partners with over 30 companies worldwide on G.fast, and is an ITU-T standard contributor, designing chipsets to the Amendment 3 specifications of the ITU-T’s G.fast, such as the SCK-23000 chipset family, released in September of 2017
Tomi Engdahl says:
ZTE: ‘Major operating activities of the Company have ceased’ due to BIS component ban
http://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/zte-major-operating-activities-of-the-company-have-ceased-due-to-bis-component-ban.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-05-10&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2099665
ZTE Corp. has hunkered down in hopes that the storm caused by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ban on the supply of U.S. sourced components to the Chinese telecommunications company will blow over soon. “As a result of the Denial Order, the major operating activities of the Company have ceased,” the company stated in an undated filing with local stock exchanges it posted on its website.
“As of now, the Company maintains sufficient cash and strictly adheres to its commercial obligations subject to compliance with laws and regulations. The Company and related parties are actively communicating with the relevant U.S. government departments in order to facilitate the modification or reversal of the Denial Order by the U.S. government and forge a positive outcome in the development of the matters,” the filing continues. The document is credited to Yin Yimin, ZTE chairman, on behalf of the company’s board. The company stated in an earlier exchange filing that it had formally submitted a request to the BIS to stay the ban, as well as provided what it called “supplemental information in response to the Denial Order according to the instructions of BIS.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
China’s ZTE says main business operations cease due to U.S. ban
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zte-ban/chinas-zte-corp-says-main-business-operations-have-ceased-due-to-u-s-ban-idUSKBN1IA1XF
Marick said ZTE has not given guidance on whether its phones can continue receiving software updates from Android, and discussions between the companies have been about ensuring ZTE can supply parts and service to honor phone warranties.
A ZTE employee told Reuters that staff had been reporting to work as normal but “with not much to do”. The employee, who declined to be named, said business trips had been halted.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The emergence of 112G PAM4 for cloud data centers
https://www.edn.com/design/analog/4460568/The-emergence-of-112G-PAM4-for-cloud-data-centers
Broadcom had run experiments on PAM4, PAM8, and PAM16 and found that PAM8 and PAM16 have eyes that are too small; this is where PAM4 stepped in at 56Gbps. Rowe made another observation following DesignCon 2018: 112 is the new 56.
Other panel members had comments such as PAM4 being made possible with forward-error correction (FEC) and that DSP processing will enable 112 Gbps. I’ll talk about that later in this article.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Roger Cheng / CNET:
Trump tweets that Commerce Department has been instructed to help China’s ZTE, which had to stop operations after US companies were banned from selling to it — In a tweet, Trump urges the Commerce Department to give ZTE “a way to get back into business, fast.”
President Trump just saved embattled Chinese phone maker ZTE
https://www.cnet.com/news/president-trump-just-saved-embattled-chinese-phone-maker-zte/?ftag=COS-05-10aaa0b&linkId=51659878
In a tweet, Trump urges the Commerce Department to give ZTE “a way to get back into business, fast.”
Count President Donald Trump as one of Chinese phone maker ZTE’s new allies.
ZTE, the fourth-largest smartphone maker in the US, has been dealing with the US Commerce Department denial order that prevented US businesses from selling hardware or services to the company — a seven-year ban that forced the company to shut down “the major operating activities of the company.”
This would mark a stark reversal of the harsh punishment the Commerce Department handed out to ZTE for its failure to properly dole out its own reprimand to employees involved in selling US origin equipment to Iran. ZTE had been working to get the denial order overturned and had pegged its hopes on broader bilateral trade talks between the US and China.
It’s not the first time Trump has intervened when it comes to dealings with foreign companies. In March, Trump squashed a deal for Broadcom, which was headquartered in Singapore, to buy San Diego-based Qualcomm because of concerns it would hurt US leadership in 5G technology.
Tomi Engdahl says:
HFT On HF, You Can’t Beat It For Latency
https://hackaday.com/2018/05/12/hft-on-hf-you-cant-beat-it-for-latency/
If you are a radio enthusiast of A Certain Age, you may well go misty-eyed from time to time with memories of shortwave listening in decades past. Countries across the world operated their own propaganda radio stations, and you could hear Radio Moscow’s take on world events, the BBC World Service responding, and Radio Tirana proudly announcing that every Albanian village now had a telephone. Many of those shortwave broadcast stations are now long gone, but if you imagine the HF spectrum is dead, think again. An unexpected find in an industrial park near Chicago led to an interesting look at the world of high-frequency trading, or HFT, and how they have moved to using shortwave links when everyone else has abandoned them, because of the unparalleled low latency they offer when communicating across the world.
Shortwave Trading | Part I | The West Chicago Tower Mystery
https://sniperinmahwah.wordpress.com/2018/05/07/shortwave-trading-part-i-the-west-chicago-tower-mystery/
Tomi Engdahl says:
HFSat and The All-HF Amateur Radio Satellite Transponder
https://hackaday.com/2016/11/03/hfsat-and-the-all-hf-amateur-radio-satellite-transponder/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Michael Brown / PCWorld:
Wi-Fi Alliance introduces Wi-Fi EasyMesh certification that aims to ensure interoperability between wireless mesh routers from different manufacturers — The Wi-Fi Certified EasyMesh program that the Wi-Fi Alliance announced today promises to do for mesh networks what the Alliance has long done …
Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi EasyMesh certification aims to standardize mesh networks
https://www.pcworld.com/article/3272469/wi-fi/wi-fi-alliances-wi-fi-easymesh-certification-aims-to-standardize-mesh-networks.html
The new certification program will ensure that wireless mesh network routers, gateways, and access points from different manufacturers will all work together.
The Wi-Fi Certified EasyMesh program that the Wi-Fi Alliance announced today promises to do for mesh networks what the Alliance has long done for wireless networking gear in general: Assure consumers that they can build out wireless home networks without worrying if one brand of device will be compatible with another.
EasyMesh promises to bring to mesh networks the same interoperability assurances that conventional routers have long offered. If Linksys decides to make its Velop product line EasyMesh compatible, and Netgear does the same, for example, you’ll be able to use Netgear’s Orbi Outdoor access point with a Linksys Velop router. That’s important, because to date, Netgear is the only manufacturer offering an outdoor mesh access point—but it only works with Netgear’s Orbi-series routers.
“Interoperability has been core to Wi-Fi’s success,”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Bulgin unveils small, rugged fiber-optic connector
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/05/bulgin-unveils-small-rugged-fiber-optic-connector.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-14&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2102065
Rugged connector and component manufacturer Bulgin (Cambridge, UK) has launched a new series of small, rugged LC fiber-optic connectors specialized for use in harsh environments. The 4000 Series Fiber Simplex connector is ideal for outdoor broadcast, FTTX, server room engineering, civil engineering, marine, aviation and rail applications. The connector’s small form factor is particularly useful where installation space is limited or multiple connectors need to be accommodated.
http://bbpmag.com/wordpress2/2018/05/bulgin-launches-small-rugged-fiber-optic-connector/
Tomi Engdahl says:
US utility companies to FCC: Don’t use our wireless spectrum – Report
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/05/us-utility-companies-to-fcc-don-t-use-our-wireless-spectrum-report.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-14&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2102065
A trade group representing hundreds of U.S. utility companies is urging federal agencies to make sure that power and electricity providers retain control of interference-free spectrum so they can continue to operate their own private wireless networks.
Importantly, the Utilities Technology Council noted that part of the reason utilities need their own licensed spectrum is because “utilities have built out and maintained their own ICT networks, rather than outsourcing service from commercial telecommunications carriers. Utilities require high levels of reliability that traditional telecommunications carriers are unable or unwilling to provide.”
Utilities to FCC: Don’t mess with our spectrum
https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/utilities-to-fcc-don-t-mess-our-spectrum
A trade group representing hundreds of U.S. utility companies is urging federal agencies to make sure that power and electricity providers retain control of interference-free spectrum so they can continue to operate their own private wireless networks.
And, importantly, the Utilities Technology Council noted that part of the reason utilities need their own licensed spectrum is because “utilities have built out and maintained their own ICT networks, rather than outsourcing service from commercial telecommunications carriers. Utilities require high levels of reliability that traditional telecommunications carriers are unable or unwilling to provide.”
As a result, the Utilities Technology Council—a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing “critical infrastructure providers”—is advocating for utilities to obtain more spectrum where necessary, and for the FCC and other agencies to ensure that spectrum currently used by utilities is protected from interference.
The wireless industry has long eyed utilities as a potential customer of wireless equipment and, potentially, wireless network services. For example, almost three years ago AT&T and Nokia said they developed a private, secure, reliable and high-capacity LTE network for smart grid technology, and would sell it to utility companies and others, though so far the companies haven’t publicly announced any progress on that effort.
But utilities have shown a clear desire for spectrum and wireless technology. For example, the Salt River Project (SRP) in Arizona last year said it will use equipment from MiMOMax Wireless to build a network on the licensed 700 MHz spectrum it obtained from Access Spectrum in 2015 (PDF). And 700 MHz spectrum owner Access Spectrum has sold spectrum licenses to the likes of Northwestern Energy in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, Portland General Electric in Oregon and Navopache Electric in Arizona.
Tomi Engdahl says:
5 alternatives to Apple’s discontinued AirPort Wi-Fi router
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/05/5-alternatives-to-apple-s-discontinued-airport-wi-fi-router.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-14&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2102065
Tomi Engdahl says:
Watch Corning Optical conduct a fiber-to-the-room deployment at a Courtyard Marriott hotel
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/05/corning-fttr-sdlan.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-14&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2102065
The following video webinar from Corning Optical Communications demonstrates the company’s software-defined LAN technology as deployed in the live, working environment of a Courtyard Marriott hotel.
Tomi Engdahl says:
World says Single-Pair Ethernet cabling ‘is the future’
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/05/network-world-says-single-pair-ethernet-cabling-is-the-future.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-14&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2102065
Suddenly, interest in building automation, “smart” systems and the “Internet of Things” (IoT) is changing the scope of the next generation of cabling systems. Sensors for lighting, HVAC, occupancy, access control and other smart systems require very little bandwidth compared to typical data applications. A sensor transmits just a few bytes of data when polled by a controller or triggered by an external event. The lack of bandwidth required for this wave of network enabled devices has led the IEEE to develop a new Ethernet protocol that is designed to operate over a single pair of UTP/STP cable. 100Base-T1 and 1000Base-T1 have been available for a few years, though the intended application was to increase total bandwidth available through existing four-pair cables in primarily industrial installations.
In March 2018 the IEEE 802.3cg Single-Pair Ethernet Task Force met near Chicago to continue defining the electrical requirements for 10Base-T1 (the presumed name). The Task Force expects the standard to be approved in June 2019. 802.3cg objectives include: 10Base-T1s – 15m link segment with up to 4 in-line connectors operating from 0.3-200MHz; 10Base-T1L – 1,000m link segment with up to 10 in-line connectors operating from 0.1-20MHz; 25m mixing segment with 8 or more nodes (network devices); support for 802.3bu 1-Pair Power over Data Lines in point-to-point and powered trunk applications; support for both automotive and industrial installations.
As networks become increasingly ubiquitous, the applications for this new system will also extend far beyond just building cabling. Vehicles, for example, are also becoming “smart,” presenting future automotive applications. Cables supporting 10Base-T1 applications will be either very small and compact or large and rugged. In commercial installations, designers will need to deal with hundreds or thousands of devices and sensors.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Fiber cabling installation and testing standard available for free download
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/05/neca-foa-301-fiber-cabling-installation-testing-standard.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-14&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2102065
The Fiber Optic Association (FOA) offers a standard it co-created with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) for free download. The standard, NECA/FOA-301 Installing and Testing Fiber Optics, “was created to be a document that could be used as a guide to installation practices and also be quoted in project paperwork to define what was meant by installation in a ‘neat and workmanlike manner,’” the FOA explains. “This was the first standard to approach the issues of installation of fiber optics in a document that could be used by network owners, project managers, contractors, installers, test techs, maintenance personnel and even the manufacturers making the products being installed following this standard,” the association continued.
The FOA points out that the standard can be used effectively by installers and contractors outside the United States, as it “covers basic practices used worldwide and is an excellent document to use for creating the proper project documents such as a statement of work, request for proposal, or request for quote on any fiber-optic project.”
It is part of NECA’s National Electrical Installation Standards (NEIS) series.
http://thefoa.org/NECA301.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
The case for fiber deep, digital optics
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/03/the-case-for-fiber-deep-digital-optics.html?cmpid=enl_btr_weekly_network_technology_2018-05-15&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
Cable operators seeking to differentiate their video and Internet services from the competition by improving quality of experience (QoE) could be looking toward a “fiber deep” architecture. Although a multi-year journey, fiber deep has the potential to strengthen the delivery of high quality video and residential broadband, simplify service areas, provide faster and more reliable broadband; and reduce space and power requirements.
“Older analog equipment does not work very well with new DOCSIS type technologies and DOCSIS Full (Duplex). There are challenges around being able to maintain the plant end as well as provide the (full) amount of bandwidth and capacity,”
DOCSIS 3.1 allows for coaxial spectrum to be used more efficiently with RF signals bonded together. The actives in the plant cause a challenge however, as does the fact that analog fiber is limited in its capacity. Full Duplex DOCSIS will require even more bandwidth.
In a distributed access architecture (DAA), one analog fiber node (usually serving more than 500 customers) is replaced with 10-12 digital fiber nodes (or R-PHY devices). The service groups are reduced to about 64 customers. Converting more of the access network from analog to digital increases bandwidth per home passed. Connectivity improves as does quality of service.
An additional benefit is eliminating amplifiers, and by bringing the optical-to-electrical conversion closer to subscribers, power and maintenance are decreased.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to Choose a Laser: How to choose a laser diode for your application
https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-54/issue-04/features/how-to-choose-a-laser-how-to-choose-a-laser-diode-for-your-application.html?cmpid=enl_lfw_lfw_laser_sources_newsletter_2018-05-15&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2103930
In a four-step approach, this tutorial helps you to determine the specifications of the laser diode you need.
Tomi Engdahl says:
What’s That Infrastructure? (Ep. 5 – Wireless Telecommunications)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as_ZpcwtQnk
The airwaves are awash with invisible communications keeping us connected and facilitating our information society. All that telecommunication requires a lot of infrastructure! Today’s episode of WTI shows some wireless telecommunications.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Senate votes to reverse FCC order and restore net neutrality
Devin Coldewey@techcrunch / 53 minutes ago
https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/16/senate-disapproves-fccs-net-neutrality-rollback-under-congressional-review-act/
The Senate today voted 52-47 to disapprove the FCC’s recent order replacing 2015’s net neutrality rules, a pleasant surprise for internet advocates and consumers throughout the country.
“People who use the internet all the time realize what this is about. Millions of calls, we don’t get that on every issue. People intuitively get this,” said Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at the press conference.
Until yesterday Senate Democrats, who brought the resolution, had 50 supporters including one Republican, more than enough to force the issue to be voted on, but not enough to actually pass.
Two more Republicans, Alaska’s Lisa Murowski and Louisiana’s John Kennedy joined Maine’s Susan Collins to vote aye on the measure, making the final tally 52-47.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Virtualization: Building specs for remote MACPHY
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/04/virtualization-building-specs-for-remote-macphy.html?cmpid=enl_btr_docsis_2018-05-16&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
CableLabs recently launched the Remote MACPHY working group as part of its Distributed CCAP Architecture program in order to develop specifications to ensure the interoperability of MACPHY solutions when deployed.
As the name indicates, the aim of remote MACPHY is to put both main functions of the CMTS/CCAP device – the MAC and the PHY – out into the access network. “Technically speaking, you (wouldn’t) have anything in the headend that would resemble a CCAP any more,” said Jon Schnoor, lead engineer, CableLabs wired technologies.
The first phase of the MACPHY project will see the MAC and the PHY in the node together as kind of a mini-CMTS self-contained in the node. Then in phase 2, the MAC and the PHY will be pulled apart again. The remote MAC core will be MAC functionality in software form, which could be installed anywhere in the access network – headend on a shelf, hub site, in a pedestal, etc.
“It gives operators flexibility,” Schnoor said.
Tomi Engdahl says:
EXFO Ontology’s automated common cause analysis module unveiled at Digital Transformation World
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/exfo-ontology-s-automated-common-cause-analysis-module-unveiled-at-digital-transformation-world.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-05-17&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2108012
EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO) (TSX: EXF) used Digital Transformation World in Nice, France this week to unveil EXFO Ontology’s automated common cause analysis module. The module uses insights from the company’s network/service topology and real-time performance analytics offerings to automate the troubleshooting process.
Without automation in service assurance applications and integration of assurance across services and infrastructures, diagnosing issues that affect multiple services, cells, or subscribers simultaneously can take weeks, says EXFO. Communications service providers (CSPs) also may need a multidisciplinary team to detect the common cause of such issues, the company adds. CSPs can use the module to find the source of serious service disruptions quickly, says EXFO, including those that proceed from obscure network transmission problems that are typically challenging to pinpoint.
Tomi Engdahl says:
NEC, Google conduct commercial submarine network transmission tests using AI and probabilistic shaping
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/nec-google-conduct-commercial-submarine-network-transmission-tests-using-ai-and-probabilistic-shaping.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-05-17&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2108012
NEC Corp. (NEC; TSE: 6701) announced successful completion of transmission tests across a commercial submarine network using artificial intelligence (AI) and probabilistic shaping at a modulation of 64 QAM.
In a joint research publication with Google, NEC says it demonstrated for the first time a spectral efficiency of 6 bps/Hz over an 11,000-km submarine cable segment. The publication’s authors assert the demonstration set a spectral efficiency-distance product record of 66,102 bps/Hz in a field trial performed with live traffic neighboring channels. With a potential capacity of over 26 Tbps in the C-band, this is more than 2.5 times the capacity intended for the undersea cable initially, with no additional wet plant capital expenditure, asserts NEC.
The team used near-Shannon probabilistic-shaping at a modulation of 64QAM to accomplish this result. For the first time on a live cable, AI was used to analyze data for nonlinearity compensation (NLC), the company attests. To accurately estimate the signal nonlinearity, NEC developed an NLC algorithm based on data-driven deep neural networks (DNN). The results of this field trial were recently discussed at the post-deadline session of the Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition 2018 in San Diego, CA.
“Other approaches to NLC have attempted to solve the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, which requires the use of very complex algorithms,”
Tomi Engdahl says:
OFS, coating supplier, don’t violate DSM Desotech patents: U.S. ITC
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/ofs-coating-supplier-dont-violate-dsm-desotech-patents-us-itc.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-05-17&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2108012
Tomi Engdahl says:
Managing Limited Spectrum for Unlimited Applications
http://www.mwrf.com/systems/managing-limited-spectrum-unlimited-applications?NL=MWRF-001&Issue=MWRF-001_20180517_MWRF-001_827&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1_b&utm_rid=CPG05000002750211&utm_campaign=17370&utm_medium=email&elq2=89675b83cfb74082ad4d0fdc61f94f92
The wireless frequency spectrum extends to 300 GHz and beyond, but with the ever-growing number of wireless applications, that spectrum must be managed for its most efficient use.
Frequency spectrum might seem unlimited, considering the wide range of radio frequencies from 9 kHz to 300 GHz. But with more people and things using radio spectrum, portions of it, including smartphones in 4G LTE and soon 5G wireless networks, billions of Internet of Things sensors, and in connected smart cars, even the millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies (30 GHz and above) are being used up.
Spectrum management is an ongoing process, since the demand for frequency spectrum grows with the number of wireless devices. Can radio frequency spectrum run out? If not properly managed, it can. But with proper management, even 6G will be possible.
Today, the radio-spectrum allocation chart for the U.S. is a densely populated map of commercial, military, and government applications with rapidly shrinking sections of available bandwidth. The U.S. table of frequency allocations covers the radio spectrum from 9 kHz to 300 GHz. In addition to those early radio and television applications, frequency bands are filled by cellular telephones, wireless communications networks, Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, vehicle collision-avoidance radars, satellite communications (satcom) systems, and a variety of defense-related systems, such electronic-warfare (EW), electronic intelligence (ELINT), radar, and surveillance systems. Each application has its own allocated portion of the frequency spectrum, designed for its optimum use, but also for minimum interference with existing applications using other portions of the radio spectrum.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Small uptick forecast for telecom, pay TV spending
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/05/small-uptick-forecast-for-telecom-pay-tv-spending.html?cmpid=enl_btr_weekly_network_technology_2018-05-17&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
According to IDC, worldwide spending on telecommunications services and pay TV services reached $1,662 billion in 2017, an increase of 1.4% year-over-year (in constant dollar terms). IDC believes the growth rate will accelerate to 1.6% in 2018, bringing worldwide spending on telecom and pay TV services to $1,689 billion. The market is forecast to continue its positive growth until the end of the five-year forecast period (2018-2022), growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.1%.
The stable positive trend is expected to be a consequence of increasing demand for data services.
“The global telecoms market will maintain steady growth of 2% over the forecast timeframe of 2018-2022,” said Courtney Munroe, group vice president, Worldwide Telecommunications Research, at IDC. “Communications service providers are in transition, facing a flat voice market, but steady growth in fixed and mobile data services. Fixed data services will grow by 4% due to strong demand for broadband, Ethernet, and high-speed fiber connectivity. While mobile voice revenues are declining, this sector will be sustained by strong growth in data and other services.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
U.S. International Trade Commission clears OFS of fiber coatings allegations by DSM Desotech
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/05/u-s-international-trade-commission-clears-ofs-of-fiber-coatings-allegations-by-dsm-desotech.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-05-17&pwhid=e8db06ed14609698465f1047e5984b63cb4378bd1778b17304d68673fe5cbd2798aa8300d050a73d96d04d9ea94e73adc417b4d6e8392599eabc952675516bc0&eid=293591077&bid=2106741
OFS Fitel LLC (OFS) announced today that a May 8, 2018 Notice of Final Determination by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) cleared OFS, a manufacturer of optical fiber products, of all allegations by DSM Desotech, a Dutch company, that OFS optical fiber and the coating used on that fiber violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. The Final Determination found that all claims asserted by DSM at the ITC are invalid.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Monica Alleven / FierceWireless:
Qualcomm says it will incorporate WPA3 into chipsets this summer for mobile devices and on all Wi-Fi networking infrastructure products
https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/qualcomm-to-incorporate-wpa3-into-wi-fi-portfolio