Solve the Last Bottleneck of LAN Fiber to the Desktop
——Optical Socket Switch

I.Current Status Analysis of PON Networking Methods

The ODN all-optical network communication systems provided by domestic optical communication equipment manufacturers currently adopt a chain topology. Their networking units include OLT devices, optical splitters, fiber distribution modules, and ONU devices connected in sequence. The specific implementation method is as follows: Optical splitters are deployed near OLT devices and connected to remote fiber distribution modules via microduct microcables (referring to single-core or multi-core optical fibers encapsulated in microducts); the first fiber distribution module is also connected to ONU devices using microduct microcables. Through rational planning of the networking topology and cable type configuration of OLTs, optical splitters, fiber distribution modules, and ONUs, one-to-one direct fiber connections between the downlink interfaces of optical splitters and the uplink interfaces of ONUs can be achieved.

Although this solution is technically mature and widely used in metropolitan area networks and FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) construction, it still faces the following implementation challenges in LAN scenarios for FTTD (Fiber-to-the-Desktop):

1. Cumulative Optical Link Loss Issue: Existing optical cable lines consist of optical cables, optical splitters, and fiber distribution modules, requiring at least six optical cable flange adapter connections from the distribution frame to the end terminal. Calculated at 0.5dB insertion loss per node, the connection 环节 alone generates over 3dB loss. Coupled with the inherent loss of optical splitters (specific values depend on the splitting ratio), the total loss of a single link generally exceeds 10dB, leading to degraded transmission quality and performance bottlenecks.
2. Constraint of High OLT Equipment Costs: The current cost of 10G per-port configuration for OLT devices is prohibitively high, significantly increasing budgetary pressure on enterprise network construction.
3. Shortage of Professional Technical Talent: The OLT+ONU networking model has low social awareness, with configuration skills mastered only by technical personnel from equipment manufacturers and telecom operators. In county-level administrative regions, for example, each operator typically employs only 1-2 relevant technical personnel, making it difficult to support large-scale deployment and daily operation and maintenance needs in fiber-to-the-desktop scenarios.
4. High Complexity of Multi-Segment Isolation: High-end enterprises usually require independent operation of internal networks, external networks, wireless networks, and IoT systems. Isolation must be achieved through complex network segment division, further increasing networking complexity.
5. Limitations of Panel-Mounted ONU Installation: The internal space of standard 86-type junction boxes is narrow. After installing panel-mounted ONUs, it is difficult to reserve fiber slack (reserving slack may cause unstable device installation), and there is also the pain point of inconvenient power cable routing.
6. Insufficient Flexibility in Port Expansion: Panel-mounted ONUs have a fixed number of ports. When expanding terminal devices, external switches are required for expansion. This method not only affects aesthetics but also struggles to adapt to dynamic demands for port density in open office environments.
7. Conflict Between Splitting Ratio and Bandwidth: Excessively high splitting ratios of optical splitters directly limit transmission performance. For example, in a 1:16 splitting scenario, when four users simultaneously use 10G broadband, the actual bandwidth fails to meet normal transmission requirements.

II.Advantages of All-Optical Switch Networking Solution

1. End-to-End Low-Loss Architecture:Adopting a direct optical cable connection scheme, ODF distribution frame ports directly interface with optical outlet switches. The entire 链路 achieves seamless integration between backbone cables and indoor fibers through fusion splicing, controlling overall optical loss within 0.1dB—significantly outperforming flange adapter-based solutions while facilitating future maintenance and troubleshooting.
2. Significant Equipment Cost Advantage:Replacing OLT devices with all-optical core switches reduces equipment procurement costs by approximately 30%-50% under equivalent transmission performance (e.g., 10G bandwidth), effectively alleviating enterprise networking budget pressures.
3. Technical Compatibility and Popularity:As a mature traditional technology, switch networking is widely accepted in the industry. Enterprise network administrators and third-party technicians generally possess skills in switch configuration and fault diagnosis, enabling faster response times and reducing technical reliance on equipment manufacturers or operators.
4. Efficient VLAN Isolation Capability:For enterprises requiring independent operation of internal networks, external networks, wireless networks, and industrial IoT systems, logical isolation can be quickly achieved via switch VLAN partitioning—with a simpler configuration process compared to OLT-based solutions.
5. Optimized Installation Space Design:Panel-mounted optical outlet switches feature an external mounting structure, directly fixed to the exterior of 86-type junction boxes. This frees internal space for fiber slack storage and supports flexible power supply options (centralized or local power access).
6. Modular Port Configuration:Available in multiple models: 1 optical + 2 electrical ports (1 SC single-mode Gigabit optical port + 2 RJ45 electrical ports), 1+4, and 1+8 configurations. Optical ports support on-site cold splicing. Multi-port models meet dense access needs in open office areas while balancing functionality and aesthetics.
7. Smooth Bandwidth Upgrade Path:End-to-end fiber links offer ultra-high bandwidth potential. Future upgrades from Gigabit to 10G or higher can be achieved simply by replacing optical modules (no cable modification required), completely eliminating limitations imposed by splitter ratios.
8. Validated All-Optical Architecture:Through multiple FTTD fiber-to-the-desktop projects completed by the company, this solution delivers true full-Gigabit optical connectivity for the “last mile” with system stability meeting commercial standards.

III. Core Value and Development Prospect of All-Optical Networks

The all-optical network architecture creates significant benefits through the following dimensions:

      1.Streamlined Equipment Rooms and Enhanced Energy Efficiency:
By simplifying the scale of core equipment room devices and reducing air conditioning cooling loads, it is expected to cut equipment room power consumption by 30%-50% while lowering equipment room construction costs.

      2.Revolutionary Improvements in Wiring Engineering:

• Reduced Workload: With the fiber direct-connection architecture, total wiring man-hours are reduced by over 60% (traditional solutions require repeated pipe threading, cable tray fastening, and network cable termination, whereas the all-optical solution only involves optical cable fusion splicing).
• Optimized Material Costs: The unit price of optical fiber is merely 1/10 that of Category 6 network cables (based on per 100-meter pricing). Additionally, each office node requires only 1-2 core fibers (compared to 4-8 network cables in traditional setups), slashing material procurement costs by 70%-80%.
• Lower Labor Costs: Construction teams no longer need professional network cable termination personnel, reducing labor input per project by 50% (the training period for fiber cold splicing is shorter than that for network cable termination certification).

      3.Improved Engineering Adaptability:

• Diameter Advantage: Indoor optical fiber has a standard diameter of 2mm (approximately 1/3 the outer diameter of Category 6 network cables, which is around 6.2mm) and is lightweight (single-core weight <15g/m), significantly reducing cable tray specification requirements or even enabling cable tray-free installation.
• Space Utilization: Fibers are immune to electromagnetic interference, allowing dense wiring. Under the same pipeline capacity, the number of deployable fibers can reach 3 times that of network cables.

      4.Elimination of Quality Risks:
It completely avoids the industry-wide issues of uneven quality and rampant use of shoddy network cables in the market (note: third-party testing reveals that 35% of commercially available network cables suffer from quality problems such as insufficient copper core purity and missing shielding layers).

      5.Technological Forward-Looking and Industrial Collaboration:
The fiber-to-the-desktop solution aligns with cutting-edge international optical communication trends. It will directly drive market demand for optical modules, fusion splicing equipment, and fiber accessories, fostering collaborative development across the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain.

 

Conclusion:

All-optical networks achieve the networking goals of “high bandwidth, low latency, easy maintenance, and low cost” through architectural innovation, with their technological advancement and economic efficiency verified by practice. With the continuous breakthroughs in domestic optical device technology, all-optical local area networks will become the core infrastructure for enterprise digital transformation.

Profile of Zhejiang Jindong Communication Technology Co., Ltd.