CommScope announced that its EPON (Ethernet Passive Optical Network) has achieved the high distinction of being certified by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). With DISA’s JITC (Joint Interoperability Test Command) certification, the CommScope EPON platform is now approved for use in U.S. Department of Defense networks.
The announcement marks what is believed to be the first time an EPON has been designated with DISA certification, claims CommScope. With JITC approval, the company's C9264 optical line terminal and associated optical network units have been added to the Defense Department’s Unified Capabilities Approved Products list.
CommScope’s EPON is a scalable, end-to-end system designed to provide network managers with the bandwidth and additional service options for end-users. “Deploying the EPON solution provides inherent Ethernet interoperability with legacy Ethernet networks,” explains Brian Devlin, vice president, federal sales, CommScope. “Depending on the application in large campus and data center environments, EPON can provide both savings in capital expenditures and power simply by using shared bandwidth."
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“Our industry has been challenged to provide government agencies the ability to significantly save on capital expenditures and operational expenses, and provide high reliability transport," Devlin continued. "CommScope today is in the unique position of having the only Gigabit EPON solution approved for deployment on networks within the U.S. Department of Defense."
PON can provide CIOs and CTOs multiple advantages in certain applications, contends CommScope -- including the ability to deliver high-speed data, video and voice over a single streamlined network featuring passive, not active, components. This scenario covers a wider area with a single run of fiber; it also provides future-ready capability to upgrade quickly and easily to new technologies such as 10G EPON. CommScope's Devlin adds that "one of the biggest advantages a PON solution can have over an active copper-based Ethernet network is its ability to span long distances without degrading performance."
"Depending on the network speed and application, a typical copper-based active Ethernet solution can span approximately 100 meters, while a multi-mode fiber can range up to 300 meters from the equipment closest to the network node," he says. "Extending the network further requires additional switching equipment plus mounting, powering, and cooling for the necessary active equipment." With CommScope’s EPON solution, these distances may increase up to 20 kilometers, reckons the company.
See: White paper: GPON vs. EPON