nanog mailing list archives

Re: LX sfp minimum range


From: Wayne E Bouchard <web () typo org>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:19:38 -0700

On Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 10:48:05PM +0000, Gary Buhrmaster wrote:
On Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 13:47, David Storandt <dstorandt () teljet com> wrote:
You can put a 3dB or 5dB optical pad on the link if the receiver can't
handle zero-distance optical power.

As I recall, the problem may not only be the power
(which can cause receiver saturation), but issue that
fibre paths shorter than (around) 2-10m do not properly
condition the light(*), which can result in some issues
at the receiver.

Gary

(*) My memory says modal distribution issues.
    While 'single mode' fibre only supports one
    mode of transmission, it takes a short distance
    for the fibre to really be single mode.  You can
    use a mode filter to address the problem, or just
    use fibres that are at least a few meters.

When optics started to become scarce at various times, I've done a
number of back-to-back connections using SM fiber and have had zero
issues. I wouldn't even worry about it. Remember, many carriers won't
even touch MM and they aren't chronically reporting issues or going to
lengths to work around them.

-Wayne

---
Wayne Bouchard
web () typo org
Network Dude
http://www.typo.org/~web/


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