Missing the expertise needed to interpret your OTDR traces? No problem!

Maintaining a fiber optic network can be a challenge. In an industry that relies so heavily on the speed and accuracy of fiber installations, it is crucial that you are positive these installations meet certain specifications. Being able to quickly and accurately interpret fiber characterization test results is essential, but highly specialized. Having access to experts to help with your trace analysis is the ideal way to optimize your fiber optic network but those assets aren’t always available “In House”.

Expert Trace Analysis from third party professional optical and/or electrical engineers is the most cost effective way to identify problems within in a fiber network that is continuously growing, changing or aging. Third party analysis can provide network planners with an easy to read report containing the relevant OTDR data and certify that the link indeed meets certain specifications. Allowing an expert to perform bi-directional analysis saves you time, money and headaches.

FiberOptic.com is introducing a new product that will provide customers with this beneficial service. TraceVault™ is your one-stop shop for storing, evaluating, and referencing all types of OTDR traces. With this service, you can request detailed analysis and an accredited certificate verifying that your traces meet specifications. Aside from our Expert Trace Analysis feature, TraceVault makes storing and organizing your OTDR results, and accessing your files directly from the field easier than ever. As an added bonus, this software will allow you to place an order for Fiber Characterization from our fiber experts with a few clicks of the mouse.

For more information or to request a product demo, please email sales@fiberoptic.com!

Hot Item: The Brand New CWDM Analyzer from EXFO

CWDM is trending hot right now and we've got a whole new suite of instruments available for all your testing needs.

Want to future proof your CATV broadband and hybrid networks? Try the FTB-5240S Optical Spectrum Analyzer. It's a highly accurate OSA and is ideal for multiservice operators and CATV operators.


Want to achieve end-to-end characterization by testing through CWDM-based multiplexers and demultiplexers at ITU-recommended wavelengths?

Try the high-resolution OTDR covering longer metro distances and ITU-based CWDM networks.

Are you looking for an innovative, low-cost alternative for activation and troubleshooting of a CWDM network?

Look no further than the new EXFO FOT-5200 CWDM Analyzer! This small handheld devive packs in all the essential features including:

• CWDM Channel Analyzer
• Broadband Power Meter
• Loss Test Set

It's the fastest and smallest CWDM tester on the market and we've got it!

Interested in a quote? Drop us a line at sales@fiberoptic.com!

3 Reasons Why YOU Need Real-Time Network Monitoring, Part 2

In our previous post, we discussed one of the major reasons you'd want real time network monitoring (the ability to detect network damage before outages occur.) While that's certainly one of the main draws for the service, it's not the only reason to consider protecting your network.

While detection of errors is the obvious reason you'd want network monitoring, let's examine two of the side benefits:

2) Archive OTDR traces to Preserve Historical Data

Having a repository of OTDR traces on a span shows you how that span changes over time. Aside from the "good" baseline trace technicians will use to find errors, this is also important in network planning. With potentially thousands of traces over multiple years it quickly becomes tough to keep track of them in a three ring binder; this makes a computer assisted archive essential.


Not all networks are going to behave exactly the same way but if you have lots of past data you can determine exactly how a certain splice will affect your signal. This is especially important when looking at temporary repairs.


Aside from just storing the files in a mish-mash on your hard drive, asset management systems such as FiberBase by Corridor Technologies usually maintain these repositories. Having them in a database is much better than keeping flat files, since you have the benefit of GIS Mapping and the network Topology for any given trace.


3) Detect Periodic Outages without The Need for Manual Scans

Sometimes outages occur at seemingly random intervals and mysteriously "fix themselves." Truck rolls are the single most expensive part of network maintenance, so sending them on a wild goose chase is bad for business. Events such as water freezing and causing a bend, temperature changes, and machinery driving over a route can cause a problem temporarily. By the time you get a technician out there to scan for it, the event has passed. Continuous scans help you detect these problems before they cause any real damage.

Minimizing expense and early detection are what it's all about!

Even though it didn't make my top 3 list, these systems are also one of the best ways to detect fiber tapping (intrusion detection.) Since the only way to find out if somebody has messed your fiber is to perform an OTDR scan, a system like this is the only economic way to do it all the time.

If you're interested in hearing more about FiberSentry, our hosted network monitoring solution drop us a line at marketing@fiberoptic.com!

Product Alert: The NEW FTB-1 From Exfo

EXFO has unleashed a new world class handheld testing platform. The system is geared for the front line technician and combines a variety of modules aimed at the FTTX and Ethernet testing market . The FTB-1 gives these technicians the ability to execute test routines, process results, and generate reports simply and efficiently. Use of the Blue tooth data mover allows users to quickly move test data from the platform to a smart phone or PCs for upload to a server or central office while still deployed within the field.

The Exfo FTB-1 interface has been designed to be simple and straightforward, whereby a user is able to pick up the unit and with the minimum of training to be able to perform tests straight away. The 7-inch (175mm) TFT touch screen is enhanced to make viewing outdoors easier. Coupled with long battery life (8 Hrs Otdr & 4 Hrs 10 GigE), the Exfo FTB-1 also features Internet Explorer for web access and a one-touch screen capture facility.

FTTH testing using the FTB-730 PON FTTx/MDU OTDR module

With a dynamic range of up to 39 dB and enabling power meter and visual fault locator functionalities, the FTB-730 PON FTTx/MDU OTDR module allows fiber installers to seamlessly characterize splitters in PON FTTx and multiple dwelling unit (MDU) applications.

Ethernet testing up to 10G using FTB-860 NetBlazer Ethernet Tester module

Offering comprehensive, yet simple test suites, the FTB-860 NetBlazer Ethermet Tester enables field technicians to quickly and easily turn up, validate and troubleshoot Ethernet services, with full EtherSAM capabilities, from 10 Mbit/s to 10 Gbit/s.

It’s the one—the FTB-1 Platform. Let us show you how this unit saves you time and money. Call us today if you’d like to hear more or would like to see a Demo!

3 Reasons Why YOU Need Real-Time Network Monitoring, Part 1

When some people think of network monitoring, they think of the angry phone calls they get when customers lose network service. Wouldn’t it be better to find out that a system was going to fail before it becomes a PR disaster? Network monitoring systems have been around from a while for the big telecom companies but they can be very useful in any sized network. There are many reasons to use such a system, but here’s my top three:

1) Detect Damage Before Network Outage Occurs

I’m often surprised to learn that lots of companies don’t perform regular maintenance OTDR scans and only send someone out when there’s already a known problem. Simple network connectivity tests aren’t really enough to detect problems preemptively. It’s also not practical or cost effective to have a network technician scan thirty routes every hour.

Luckily, in recent years companies have launched automated OTDR scanners (an example is the OTU-8000 from JDSU) to make this type of detailed analysis available. Humans can’t be taken totally out of the equation; a knowledgeable expert still needs to configure the system, (but it doesn’t take nearly as much time as manually scanning all those routes.)

This long winded introduction brings us around to the meat and potatoes of a system like this: alarms. If a human being was interpreting one of these scans they’d have to have a pretty good idea of what the graph and events table should look like and be able to spot the differences. This task naturally lends itself to computers which can compare the scan to hundreds of others stored in memory. Once a set signal degradation threshold is reached, the system can notify the network admin that a potential problem has happened.

So what does this mean for you?

The system can pinpoint where the damage occurred, right down to the nearest street address or manhole. You can drive out there and fix it on a scheduled maintenance call. Asset Management Software like FiberBase by Corridor Technologies Inc. can be used to chart the alert on a map and store information about when it was resolved, by whom, etc. It works really well when used with our own FiberSentry hosted network monitoring solution. If you’re interested in protecting your network send me an email at marketing@fiberoptic.com!

Stay tuned, in the next post we’ll go over the last two on our list!

2) Archive OTDR traces to Preserve Historical Data
3) Detect Periodic Outages without The Need for Manual Scans

Are you using a system like this to monitor your network? Let me know in the comments!

Fiber Optic Launch Boxes...Did you know?

So we started manufacturer Launch Boxes right here at FiberOptic.com. I never knew how important one actually was for your testing purposes. If you are testing without a fiber optic launch box you are putting your OTDR and accuracy of test results at risk! We all know that accuracy is key with fiber optics. Here are some other things I have learned that may be of interest for you before you start testing without a launch box…

A launch box will eliminate your dead zones, and is a buffer between your cables under test and the OTDR ferrule. Doing this will help prolong the life of your OTDR. With fewer insertions into your main OTDR ferrule. Your OTDR ferrule and adapter can only handle a certain amount of insertions before it becomes compromised. This was something I didn’t know at all! I always looked at it as an adapter, it has to continue to work for the life of the OTDR right??? Guess I was wrong!

If you are going to be using a launch box (which you should! As we just discovered) the recommendation is two units. You would put box 1 in between the cable under test and the OTDR and box 2 at the lading point (end of cable run). This will help you see test results on the connector at the far end of the cable under test. You won’t have to move any of your equipment and will give you a great non-bidirectional look at the last connector under test.

Well I hope I have given you some insight into why a launch box is definitely important. Not only the reasons above but they are cost effective, very easy to use and FiberOptic.com makes a low profile design that will allow you plenty of room inside the ruggedized case to route and store your test leads.

Contact us today and we can help you save your OTDR and your Test Results!!!

www.fiberoptic.com

877.529.9114

Fiber Optic Installation - Services

The time has arrived.... Infrastructure solutions now require fiber optics to propagate the vast amount of data which continues to increase in an almost exponential fashion. Therefore, the questions becomes, who can you trust to assist with this physical infrastructure deployment? Well, if you're the handy sort, it will require an $8,000 fusion splicer and equally prices OTDR to ensure you've performed a professional installation. In comparison, the option exists to hire a contractor who understands your requirement and will assist with the engineering, installation, maintenance and Emergency Restoration.

These contractors, if focused on communications infrastructure, will truly offer the most cost effective, longest lasting, and mission critical solution to keep your organization focused and moving forward.

Adtell Integration - http://www.adtellintegration.com now offers consulting, design, installation, maintenance, and Emergency Restoration services around the world.