Optical networking is a communication system equipped with optical fiber technology. Optical fiber technology utilizes optical fiber cables and light as a primary mechanism for converting and passing data and voice communication through a network. The optical fiber cables consist of three parts: a core, which transmits light signals, a glass cladding, which keeps light within the cable, and a coating, to protect and preserve the fiber cables.
As data travels through a network, data signals are converted from light to electronic or vice versa multiple times. They traverse long links and high-capacity connections within data centers, access networks (RAN) and core networks as light but get converted to electrical signals in all routers and network appliances. Since the fiber cables can span for huge distances outside of a communications service provider (CSPs), CSPs typically require continuous fiber optical health monitoring to monitor disruptions. As connectivity and bandwidth demands continue to grow, optical fiber cables enabling cost-effective long distance voice and data traffic over traditional electronic and copper technology. Learn more about Ribbon's optical networking products
Why Use Optical Networking?
Optical networks have three important elements: capacity, range and speed. Because light beams do not interfere with each other, a single strand of fiber-optic cable can carry optical signals on various wavelengths at once, with each light beam transferring its own data content. This is known as dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). DWDM networks can pack a single cable with anywhere from a coarse wavelength division multiplexing with peak capacities at above 10 terabits per second (Tbps).
Read more about IP over DWDM
Optical networks can also move more data across a cable at longer distances: Using electronics and copper, speeds top out at around 100 Gbps over short distances. Fiber can move data over a single data channel and across multi-mile distances and with further amplification. Greater speeds can be obtained by dividing a single optical cable into multiple data channels. Also, Optical networking decreases latency between endpoints on the network. Where an electric current moves data at about 10% of the speed of light optical signals in fiber optic cable travel 10 times faster, at the speed of light. Learn more about Ribbon's IP Optical Solutions
