Optical Fiber: How About Fiber to YOUR Desk?

Presented by: Bob Ballard, RCDD

Registered Communications Distribution Designer Certified Fiber Optics Installer

Sponsored by: P A R A G O N Scientific Corporation

Agenda

Fiber to the Desk: Where Is It Cost -Effective Today?

• Technology Review • Expanded TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section Scope • Cabling market review & forecast • Comparing fiber installed first costs with copper • Costs Analysis Summary • Testimonials • Summary

Fiber Optics Technology Review

.

How is 50 µm different from 62.5 µm?

* Same Cladding Diameter * Only core size differs * Numerical Aperture > 0.200 50 µm > 0.275 62.5 µm 62.5 µm Core 50 µm

TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section

• Formed in 1993 as part of TIA’s Fiber Optics Division • Expanded Mission: To create a resource where people can learn about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission brings to customer owned networks • Members Include: 3M, ADC, CommScope, Corning, Fluke Networks, Leviton Voice & Data, OFS, Optek Technology, Ortronics, Panduit, Pearson Technologies, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, Tyco/AMP Electronics

Expanded Focus

Result of Target Audience and Member Input?

• Fiber-based LANs • Storage Area Networks (SANS) • Data Centers • Industrial Applications • Building Automation Systems • Fiber In Security Systems • Fiber In The Home

Market Trends

Copper and Fiber Cable Shipment Forecast*

* Source: “US Building Fiber And Copper Cabling Systems” FTM Consulting, February 2003 [email protected]

Selecting the Horizontal Media

UTP Copper or Multimode Fiber

UTP Copper Multimode Fiber

• • • • • • • • • •

Perceived Lowest System Cost The “easy” Choice Universal Familiarity Smooth Ethernet Upgrade Path More Complex to Install and Test Susceptible to EMI, RFI & Crosstalk Limited Cable Pull Strength 100 Meter Maximum at 1 Gbps Shorter Useful Life Not “Future Proof”

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Higher Bandwidth Immunity to EMI, RFI & Crosstalk Greatly Simplified Installation Greatly Simplified Testing Enables Centralized Cabling Superior Cable Pull Strength Lower Initial Installed Costs w/Centralized Architecture Lower Life-Cycle Infrastructure Cost Cost Effective Ethernet Migration “Future Proof” Perception of Complexity Less Installer Familiarity Electronics Still Priced Higher

Fiber - Copper Cable Shipments

Cable Product Value Shipments

* Source: “US Building Fiber And Copper Cabling Systems” FTM Consulting, February 2003 [email protected]

So - Why Not More Fiber?

Are Costs Really Higher?

• •

Perception: Fiber is still more expensive than copper

Reality! Fiber is less expensive in many applications

Erroneous Assumption: Fiber networks should be designed and installed exactly like copper networks

Reality! The installation is in fact much different

•

Erroneous Assumption: Fiber is more difficult to install & test

Reality! Fiber is much easier to install and test

•

Finally: Designing fiber networks based upon its capabilities saves thousands of dollars compared to copper

Comparing Fiber - Copper Costs

Several Comprehensive Studies

Tolly Group, August 2000

•

Migrating to Fiber-The Case for Centralized LAN Cabling

• Still available for download #200505 • http://www.tolly.com/UTS/UTS_home.aspx

TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section, November 2001

• First Generation Cost Model • Very Popular Web Site Download

TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section, July 2003

• Second Generation Cost Model • New Model Available For Download: www.fols.org

• Also Visit Pearson Technologies Web Site: www.ptnowire.com

Second Generation Cost Model

Significant Market Changes

• UTP Component Prices Have DECREASED • Fiber Component Prices Have DECREASED • Fiber Transciever Prices Have DECREASED

Long wavelength (1300 nm) substantial price decrease Short wavelength (850 nm) have also decreased

• Overall Network Costs Have DECREASED

UTP / Fiber Network All Fiber Network

Model Assumptions - Installed First Costs

Hierarchlcal Star UTP vs. Centralized Fiber

• •

Building Model

8 Story, 48 Ports Per Floor Costs Calculated on “Per Port” Basis Port Utilization • Copper: 70% • Fiber: 90%

Riser Subsystem

Fiber Used in Riser Subsystem (Both Models) •

Horizontal Subsystem

UTP: Cat 5e or Cat 6 UTP Fiber: 62.5 or 50 µm Multimode Fiber

Comparing Installed First Costs

Additional Assumptions

• • • •

Labor Rate

$60.00 Per Hour

Telecom Room Construction Costs

$150.00 Per Square Foot

5 - Year Power Costs

Lighting, Heating & Cooling Note: Does not apply to Centralized Fiber Network Estimated at $450.00 For 5 Years

Cost Models Completely Interactive

See Chart at www.fols.org & Input Your Own Numbers

Telecommunications Room (TR) Costs

Significantly Less Expensive With Fiber