A fiber optic-based communications network includes: a power insertion device, connected to multiple fiber links from a data source, configured to provide power insertion to a hybrid fiber/power cable connected to at least one fiber link of the multiple fiber links; the hybrid fiber/power cable, connecting the power insertion device to a connection interface device, configured to transmit data and power from the power insertion device to the connection interface device; and the connection interface device, configured to provide an interface for connection to an end device via a power over Ethernet (PoE)-compatible connection and to provide optical to electrical media conversion for data transmitted from the power insertion device to an end device via the hybrid fiber/power cable and the PoE-compatible connection.

An exchange that provides for owners of physical ports of optical switches on a communications network to list bandwidth availability of the physical ports for selling or otherwise allocating the physical ports to others. The exchange may be configured to automatically transition the allocation of the physical ports between users by altering parameters of digital tokens bound to respective physical ports. A portal may be given to owners and/or licensees of the physical ports to alter routing of the physical ports by controlling the physical layer of the optical switch on which the physical ports reside. By using the principles described herein, conventional manual changes to the physical layer of the optical switches may be reduced or eliminated and owners of the physical ports may more easily offload extra bandwidth being supported by the physical ports.

A TORminator module is disposed with a switch linecard of a rack. The TORminator module receives downlink electrical data signals from a rack switch. The TORminator module translates the downlink electrical data signals into downlink optical data signals. The TORminator module transmits multiple subsets of the downlink optical data signals through optical fibers to respective SmartDistributor modules disposed in respective racks. Each SmartDistributor module receives multiple downlink optical data signals through a single optical fiber from the TORminator module. The SmartDistributor module demultiplexes the multiple downlink optical data signals and distributes them to respective servers. The SmartDistributor module receives multiple uplink optical data signals from multiple servers and multiplexes them onto a single optical fiber for transmission to the TORminator module. The TORminator module coverts the multiple uplink optical data signals to multiple uplink electrical data signals, and transmits the multiple uplink electrical data signals to the rack switch.

Embodiments relate to providing simultaneous digital and analog services in optical fiber-based distributed radio frequency (RF) antenna systems (DASs), and related components and methods. A multiplex switch unit associated with a head-end unit of a DAS can be configured to receive a plurality of analog and digital downlink signals from one or more sources, such as a service matrix unit, and to assign each downlink signal to be transmitted to one or more remote units of the DAS. In one example, when two or more downlink signals are assigned to be transmitted to the same remote unit, a wave division multiplexer/demultiplexer associated with the multiplex switch unit can be configured to wave division multiplex the component downlink signals into a combined downlink signal for remote side transmission and to demultiplex received combined uplink signals into their component uplink signals for head-end side transmission.

An optical receiver is disclosed, including an optoelectronic detector, a transimpedance amplification (TIA) circuit, a single-ended-to-differential converter, an I/O interface, and a controller. The optoelectronic detector, having bandwidth lower than required system transmission bandwidth, converts an optical signal into a current signal. The TIA circuit compensate gain for the received current signal based on a received control signal, to obtain a voltage signal, where a frequency response value of the current signal within first bandwidth is greater than that within the bandwidth of the optoelectronic detector, and any frequency in the first bandwidth is not lower than an upper cut-off frequency of the optoelectronic detector. The single-ended-to-differential converter converts the voltage signal into a differential voltage signal. The I/O interface outputs the differential voltage signal. The controller generates the control signal based on the differential voltage signal. The optical receiver disclosed can reduce costs while ensuring signal quality.

The present disclosure provide for a radio frequency over glass (RFoG) system having an optical node and an RFoG extender residing in a first service area coupled to the optical node. The RFoG functions to transmit an upstream (US) radio frequency (RF) signal to a head end, receive a downstream (DS) RF signal from the head end and extend the DS RF signal to the second service area. The second service area is different from the first service area and the second service area is remote from the first service area.

Embodiments are generally directed apparatuses, methods, techniques and so forth determine an access level of operation based on an indication received via one or more network links from a pod management controller, and enable or disable a firmware update capability for a firmware device based on the access level of operation, the firmware update capability to change firmware for the firmware device. Embodiments may also include determining one or more configuration settings of a plurality of configuration settings to enable for configuration based on the access level of operation, and enable configuration of the one or more configuration settings.

A TORminator module is disposed with a switch linecard of a rack. The TORminator module receives downlink electrical data signals from a rack switch. The TORminator module translates the downlink electrical data signals into downlink optical data signals. The TORminator module transmits multiple subsets of the downlink optical data signals through optical fibers to respective SmartDistributor modules disposed in respective racks. Each SmartDistributor module receives multiple downlink optical data signals through a single optical fiber from the TORminator module. The SmartDistributor module demultiplexes the multiple downlink optical data signals and distributes them to respective servers. The SmartDistributor module receives multiple uplink optical data signals from multiple servers and multiplexes them onto a single optical fiber for transmission to the TORminator module. The TORminator module coverts the multiple uplink optical data signals to multiple uplink electrical data signals, and transmits the multiple uplink electrical data signals to the rack switch.

A device for a network switch comprises N input ports, and an electrical block including a plurality of electrical switches configured to route signals in an electrical domain. Each electrical switch includes M input ports, and the device further comprises an optical block coupled to the electrical block. The optical block is configured to route signals in an optical domain. A configuration of the optical block and a configuration of the electrical block are based on at least a number of the N input ports.

Disclosed are an apparatus and testing methods for performing testing operations over multiple types of links and through multiple potential points of failure to segment sources of problems, which may relate to reported or actual instances of service disruption in a network communication environment. The apparatus may perform service layer testing directly via an optical link, in addition to via Ethernet service layer testing. The apparatus may further conduct tests on other layers as well, including the physical layer, the network layer, and the link layer. To facilitate efficient testing, the apparatus may integrate programmable workflow profiles that specify tests to be conducted, and may interface with a cloud platform for sharing results of the tests, providing end-to-end testing of various components and types of links (whether optical or electrical, including wired and wireless links). Results of the tests may provide guidance to resolve detected problems.