Optical
LANs (OLANs)
Objectives:
From this self-study program you should learn:
- What
is an Optical LAN or OLAN?
- What
are the advantages or disadvantages of OLANs?
- How
OLANs developed and are growing worldwide
- Network
architectures used in OLANs, specifications,
advantages/disadvantages
- What
are OLAN protocols? GPON, EPON
- How
OLANs fit into structured cabling standards
- How
to plan, design, install and test an OLAN project
- May
be used as preparation for the FOA CFOS/L
Exam which covers the same basic material in this
course
- Prerequisites
When
you finish, you can take an online exam on this course
to qualify for a "Fiber U Certificate of Completion."
Optical LANs or OLANs, are a new way to build LANs
using an all optical fiber cable plant and electronics
derived from fiber to the home (FTTH). Sometimes also
referred to as fiber to the desk or FTTD, POLs, POLANs,
passive optical LANs or FTTO, fiber to the office, these
are LANs (local area networks) that are based on optical
fiber cabling, not copper, and are of great interest to
many contractors, installers and end users. OLANs have
been covered extensively in the trade press and are being
promoted by many vendors, so there is plenty of interest
in learning more about them.
OLANs – optical local area networks – are all LANs based
on optical fiber cabling and include a new type of LAN
derived from FTTH architectures and components. OLANs come
in three types:
- Centralized
Fiber as has been covered by LAN cabling standards
since the 1990s. Also called “fiber to the desktop” or
FTTD, it basically uses media converters to allow
fiber usage instead of UTP copper cables.
- FTTO
or “fiber to the office” which is a simple adaptation
of centralized fiber structured cabling using P2P or
“point to point” FTTH architecture
- Passive
optical LAN (POL or POLAN) adapted from FTTH PON
architectures.
- Proper
installation and use of an OLAN depends on finding or
training adequate numbers of technicians. The FOA,
working with companies, contractor/installers and our
approved schools has developed requirements for OLAN
training and certification, with the goal of providing
enough qualified OLAN installation technicians to make
these plans possible.
-
- FOA
certification programs are taught in
many FOA-approved schools or are available to
those with appropriate work experienc. Those seeking
certification must complete the FOA basic
certification (CFOT or CPCT) or demonstrate adequate
knowledge first, then attend a short course on OLANs
or take this self-study program that will prepare them
for the exam exam. Those interested in learning about
OLANs but are not seeking certification will find the
courses good information on the current technology.
Student
Assignments
Students will be instructed to read the references, watch
videos and take the quizzes (Test Your Knowledge) to
complete the "classroom" part of the course. A FTTx design
case study is included where a typical network is
described and students will design the network on paper
and answer questions on the case study.
FOA
Certification
FOA
offers a specialist certification in OLANs (CFOS/L)
that is available to those with a CFOT or CPCT or having
equivalent experience. FOA also offers an application
specialist certification for those involved as managers,
planners, designers and end users (but not installers)
that does not require a CFOT or CPCT.
Many FOA
schools teach CFOS/L courses. Current FOA members
with appropriate industry experience may apply to take the
online course for credit toward their requirements for the
CFOS/L certification and apply for the certification exam.
Contact the FOA for more details and an application.
Online
FOA Reference
FOA
Reference Guide to Fiber Optics( general)
and OLAN
Section
Reference
Textbook
FOA
Reference Guide Premises Cabling, Appendix B
Videos
FOA
YouTube Videos,
with individual links as appropriate
You
may, if you wish, watch the entire video and then watch
the referenced sections for a second time for greater
comprehension.
Extra
Credit Reading
Assignments beyond the basics required for the course will
be listed as extra credit.
Lesson
Plans
Lesson
Plan No. 1: What is an OLAN?
Lesson
Plan No. 2, Centralized Fiber Networks
Lesson
Plan No. 3, Passive Optical LANs
Lesson
Plan No. 4, Installing OLAN Networks
Lesson
Plan No. 5, Testing OLAN Networks
Lesson
Plan No. 6, OLAN Design, Case Study
When
you finish the assignments and case study, you can take an
online exam on this course to qualify for a "Fiber U
Certificate of Completion." The exam cost is $20US.
This information
is provided by The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. as a
benefit to those interested in teaching, designing,
manufacturing, selling, installing or using fiber optic
communications systems or networks. It is intended to be
used as an overview and/or basic guidelines and in no way
should be considered to be complete or comprehensive.
These guidelines are strictly the opinion of the FOA and
the reader is expected to use them as a basis for
learning, as a reference and for creating their own
documentation, project specifications, etc. Those working
with fiber optics in the classroom, laboratory or field
should follow all safety rules carefully. The FOA assumes
no liability for the use of any of this material.
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