Connecting an optical cable to the router. Fiber optic internet connection. What the indicators mean

It is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person without the Internet, and over the years, consumers of telecommunications services want to have a higher-quality high-speed connection. The first people in the West thought about how to offer the population a truly high-quality Internet that can satisfy even the most demanding customers. While in Russia many still had a vague idea of what the "world wide web" was, in England they were already talking about gigabit PON technology, or optical passive networks. In the Russian Federation, Rostelecom started to implement GPON, which was the first to offer to connect three services at once using this innovative technology - Internet, interactive television and telephone.

After talking with neighbors and acquaintances who have appreciated the quality of the GPON technology from Rostelecom, many have no idea what they will have to deal with. Therefore, we will briefly tell you what this technology is and what advantages it has. First of all, we note that this technology is passive, and in this case it means that there is no additional active equipment on the route of the optical Internet line from the service provider to the client.

Of course, it cannot be said that there are no barriers at all, since direct laying of an expensive cable is very expensive, just in some places the signal is divided. For this, a special device is used - a splitter, or an optical splitter, dividing the optical fiber of Rostelecom into several lines. The question remains unclear how such a long-awaited Internet will get to the end user, and what equipment is used for this.

Fiber optic equipment

To convert a signal into an Ethernet interface that we understand, they use another unique device - ONT, or an optical terminal. Devices of this type are presented in a wide range, and it can be either a standard device with two Ethernet ports and one PON port, or a full-fledged Rostelecom GPON router, which has a number of advantages in the form of:

four gigabit Ethernet ports;

Important! The zero and the first port are used exclusively for connecting high-speed Internet, and ports 3 and 4 are used for viewing IPTV.

there are two connectors for IP-telephony;
it is possible to connect interactive IPTV;
the distribution of the GPON signal from Rostelecom is carried out via Wi-Fi (802.11n standard with a bandwidth of up to 300 megabits per second).

Users of the "world wide web" with a speed of 100 Mbps are no longer surprising. With the use of Rostelecom's GPON equipment, Internet capabilities will soon be limited to gigabytes of information received per second. Only an optical cable can support such high speeds, and especially when it comes to long distances of information transmission. Moreover, Rostelecom's optics enter the apartment not through a copper cable, as is the case with the FTTH bandwidth, but by dividing the signal using a special optical splitter. After installing the modem, however, you will face the problem of setting it up. This is not difficult to do using our advice.

Modem configuration

The equipment used by the telecommunications service provider is presented in a wide variety, but the first thing you will have to face in order to organize a high-quality fiber optic connection and Rostelecom connection is the choice of a modem. Experts assure that one of the advantages of the GPON technology is its versatility, and devices of any manufacturer of this series of equipment will work correctly in the fiber-optic system. Thus, the need to use rare expensive equipment is eliminated, which can significantly reduce the cost of the Internet. Anyone can configure a router for GPON from Rostelecom, following a certain sequence of actions.

As a rule, equipment setup does not require any special knowledge. At the same time, you do not even have to configure the basic functions of the router, since the provider has already done it for you, but in case you bought the equipment in the Rostelecom office. If you bought the router yourself, you will have to look on the Internet for detailed instructions on setting up the device, since the procedure differs depending on the manufacturer and model. You can check the modem settings in the web configuration, and for the ONT device RTK G PON ONT RFT620, most often used by RTK, it looks like this:

in the address bar you must enter the address 192.168.1.254;
in the window that opens, enter your data: username and password;
as for the network settings, you can only familiarize yourself with them, and you should not change the standard settings from the provider;
then we turn on the Wi-Fi module to the network;
change security settings;
set static or dynamic IP addresses.

Difficulties can arise if you use some models of routers with the ability to distribute Wi-Fi, for which you will have to configure the wireless network configuration. To set up a PPPoE connection, you will be prompted to enter the login and password provided at the conclusion of the contract for the supply of services. This usually does not take a lot of time and everything happens without problems, but in some cases, the intervention of the support service is indispensable.

Technology advantages and possible speeds

There is no need to even talk about the fact that the fiber-optic Internet provider Rostelecom has simply "outstanding" speed indicators - it's hard to believe, but 1 Gbit / second is far from the limit. As for other advantages of "optics", the following deserves special attention:

It is much easier to mount fiber-optic lines, which has already been appreciated by installers - unlike old cables, fiber-optic in an apartment is no thicker than a ballpoint pen, and the cable is attached with self-adhesive clips that do not spoil the appearance of the room and can be easily removed, if necessary.

Remember! Despite the elasticity and strength, experts do not recommend bending at an angle of 90 °, and this can be attributed to the disadvantages of the system. Bending with a radius of 25-50 millimeters is allowed in the corners.

Fiber optic cable has a high degree of electrical safety, there is a risk of suffering from laser radiation, but this can be avoided without looking into the optical socket.
The GPON modem from Rostelecom is also a good saving of energy resources, since the device is powered by a 12-volt cell, and the cost of light is about 30 rubles. per month.
Versatility, since now you can enjoy high-quality digital fiber-optic television, use the Internet and Rostelecom phones, and at the same time the apartment will not be cluttered with numerous cables and sockets.

Unfortunately, there is no eternal equipment and flawless technology, no one is immune from problems with fiber-optic lines. The first thing you should pay attention to if the signal is lost is the terminal connection. Try to connect the cable directly, and if there is no power, you need to contact a specialist. You can find out about the reasons for the shutdown and how to solve any problem in the technical service. To facilitate the solution of many technical issues and to receive timely information support, Rostelecom experts suggest creating a personal account on the service provider's website. In it, you can find out the availability of funds on the account, change the tariff and pay for services.

Internet tariffs GPON

Prices are different for each region!

For many users, the issue of the cost of telecommunications services is far from idle, and in this regard, tariffs for fiber optic from Rostelecom can be called “democratic”, given the range of services offered. The user, by the way, can choose the service himself: home Internet, television, landline or mobile phone, terminal rental, while you can order a separate service, or you can combine packages. In fact, the tariffs depend on the range of offers, and, according to user reviews, they are affordable today. It is also worth remembering that prices for each region may differ, and on the official website of the RTK you can always get acquainted with promotions and great offers.

From time to time I am asked about what methods of Internet connection exist and what type of access to the global network is better to choose for a country house or a house located within the city limits. Indeed, the IT market is literally overgrown with companies that provide Internet access services. What technologies are not used today in wireless and wired connections in order to maximize coverage of a hard-to-reach area, increase data transmission speed, improve communication quality ...

As you know, Internet providers differ in the provision of services, namely the type of access to the Internet.

Internet service provider - a company that provides Internet access to its client and provides other related services.

There are types of Internet connections such as broadband, dial-up and wireless. All of them are able to open the world of the Internet to you, although they work on different principles. But first things first.

Ethernet - local network connection.

This is a fixed broadband Internet access via a dedicated line. The line laid by the provider is built on fiber-optic or copper cable, which makes it possible to transfer data to computers at high speed. The material for creating a fiber-optic cable is glass or plastic, and information on it is transmitted not by an electrical signal, but by a light signal, which makes it possible to transmit a signal over huge distances with negligible attenuation.

A copper cable is a twisted pair (described here) through which information is transmitted by an electrical signal. Due to its peculiarity, twisted pair, unlike fiber optic cable, has a significant signal attenuation rate and is susceptible to electromagnetic interference. To increase the length of the communication channel, you should use cables with protection against interference and pickup, and to reduce the signal attenuation coefficient, you need to use special equalizers or signal buffers.

However, do Internet providers do it in practice where it is needed? It should be said that usually a fiber-optic cable is used to connect a sub-provider with a backbone provider and connect various buildings (multi-storey buildings, hotels ...) to the global network, and then there is a twisted pair.

True, the GPON technology (gigabit passive optical network) is already actively developing. Its essence lies in the fact that the provider starts the fiber-optic cable directly to your apartment and installs a special dividing box. In this situation, you technically have the opportunity to connect to the global network at a speed of 1 Gbps, in other cases the speed will not exceed 100 Mbps.

Be that as it may, a dedicated line is most suitable for connecting to the Internet at home (read more about that) or getting shared access to the network in the office. As a rule, providers with this type of connection offer unlimited Internet, which means that you will not need to worry about the spent network traffic downloading information or walking around the network. Using a Wi-Fi router, you can connect other digital devices to the Internet (smartphone, tablet, laptop, Smart TV ...).

The high speed of the Internet channel in Ethernet technology makes it possible to quickly download impressive amounts of information, comfortably work in the network with multimedia and hold various video meetings online. Many providers providing Internet access via a dedicated line offer ip-television (IPTV) as an additional service, where some channels can be presented in HD format. Perhaps this is one of the best ways to connect to the Internet.

Modem connection (ADSL and Dial-Up).

This is a dial-up Internet access via a telephone line using a modem. You can connect to the Internet via a telephone line using the old Dial-Up technology or the more advanced ADSL technology. Connecting with a provider using ADSL, in contrast to Dial-UP, makes it possible to surf the Internet and simultaneously make phone calls. This is achieved through an ADSL splitter that splits the telephone signal into a regular telephone signal and a high-frequency modem signal.

Compared to a dedicated line connection (the method is described above), the advantage of a modem connection is that existing telephone cables are used, but this is where the advantage of this Internet access ends. The maximum data transfer rate for Dial-Up is 56 Kbps, and for ADSL technology is 24 Mbps, but given the state in which the telephone lines are located, the stability of the connection and such indicators may not be.

As you understand, the telephone line loses to the leased line in all respects, given the stable growth of multimedia and the volume of transmitted data. Just a few years ago, this type of connection was considered one of the best, but nowadays it has practically outlived its usefulness, despite the fact that it is still used as an alternative connection to the Internet where, for some reason, it is not relevant to use a different connection.

Internet connection using DOCSIS technology.

Literally DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) is translated as a standard for data transmission over coaxial (television) cable. Data transmission according to this standard from the provider is carried out to the client (downstream) at a speed of 42/38 Mbit / s, and from the user (upstream) 10/9 Mbit / s. It should be said that the bandwidth in this technology is divided between all connected participants who are currently receiving or sending information flow. Therefore, the available bandwidth at the time of transmission or reception of data for each user can vary widely.

This method of connecting to the Internet, like the previous one, is performed through a special modem. It is a cable modem for DOCSIS technology with a built-in network bridge, which enables two-way communication over coaxial or optical cable. It should be noted that in the network of such a provider there is a CMTS device - Cable Modem Termination System. In short and simple, this device is a large modem in the backbone network to which the subscribers' modems are attached.

From an economic point of view, laying a coaxial cable in order to get access to the Internet is not very reasonable, it is better to have a dedicated line (ethernet connection), because according to the technical characteristics, such a line is better, but if there is a television cable in the house and your KTV operator provides such service, then why not use it. However, if your provider can provide you with access to the Internet using FTTB, PON or HCNA technology, then for a number of technical advantages, it is better to choose one of them instead of the traditional DOCSIS.

Mobile Internet access (GPRS, EDGE, 3G).

This type of Internet connection is popular because it makes it possible to get access to the Internet in areas where there is no telephone or dedicated line. You can connect to an Internet provider using a USB 3G modem or a mobile phone (iPhone, smartphone, communicator) with a modem function. A USB modem is visually similar to a USB flash drive and has a SIM card slot inside.

Connecting to the Internet, via a USB modem or a mobile phone, is performed by "contacting" the base station of the cellular operator you are servicing, and depending on what equipment is installed at the mobile provider, communication is established using GPRS, EDGE, 3G or HSDPA (4G). Thus, after connecting a USB modem or phone (via a USB cable, infrared port or Blurtooth) with a computer, you will get access to the Internet using one of the mentioned technologies.

The mobile Internet has an unstable connection quality and a rather low speed, but it is quite suitable for normal loading of pages into the browser. The maximum data transfer rate in the presented technologies is on average 20-40 Kbps in GPRS; 100-236 Kbps in EDGE; 144 Kbps - 3.6 Mbps in 3G and 4G can exceed 100 Mbps, and for stationary subscribers it can be 1 Gbps.

The speed characteristics, depending on the technologies used by the Internet provider, in some cases can be higher, but in practice they are most often lower. The mobile Internet, of course, has quite a few drawbacks, but being able to access the global network from anywhere in the country captivates many of us.

Now let's analyze the wireless Internet connection (satellite, WiMAX). These types of wireless Internet connection are good because they can be used where it is not yet possible to access the network via cable for some reason.

Using wireless technologies, you can access the Internet outside the city, where wired Internet is not available. For example, in a summer cottage, warehouse, office or some other facility. It must be said that such methods of Internet connection presuppose the presence of additional equipment, and its purchase in some cases may "pour out" a round sum for you.

Internet via satellite dish.

For example, to connect a one-way satellite Internet, you need a small set of equipment. You need to buy a satellite dish, a converter amplifier (matched to the C, Ka or Ku band and the operator's linear or circular polarization), a satellite receiver (PCI card or USB receiver), an RG-6 cable of the required length (75 Ohm) and a pair F-connectors.

For two-way access to satellite Internet, you need a transceiver antenna (about 1.2 - 1.8 meters in diameter), a transmitting BUC (block-up converter) and a receiving LNB (low-noise block) block and a satellite modem, to which more than one can be connected , and several computers and provide them with Internet access. Use the range recommended by the satellite operator.

Each of the quiet satellite internet connections has its own characteristics. For one-way access, you need an existing Internet access (for example, GPRS or EDGE), through which the sent requests will be processed by the Internet provider (one-way access), and after processing the received data will be sent to your client via the satellite corridor.

With two-way Internet access, additional channels are not needed, since data is sent and received via satellite. Many satellite internet operators can offer both unlimited packages and pay-per-traffic tariffs. Two-way satellite Internet for some operators works faster than in 3G technology, and the speed in Ka-band can be up to 20 Mbps.

The disadvantages of this technology can be considered the high cost of equipment, the complexity of setting up the equipment for a technically inexperienced user and a long response time (latency). Usually they use satellite Internet in remote parts of the country, where there is no other acceptable alternative. Using a Wi-Fi router with a satellite connection to an ISP, as well as in other technologies, will give you the ability to distribute the Internet wirelessly and LAN cable to other digital devices (laptop, tablet) in the house.

We have already reviewed with you different ways of connecting to the Internet, including here and mobile access, but I would like to draw your attention to another type of Internet connection using WiMax technology. Often, this Internet access technology is used where DOCSIS cable Internet is not available, there is no dedicated network in the home or office, or there is no telephone line for ADSL connection. Access to the global network using WiMax technology, as well as a satellite connection, in such cases often plays a decisive role.

WiMax technology theoretically has a data transfer rate of about 70 Mbit / s, but in practice this speed is several times lower. To connect to the Internet using WiMax technology, you need to contact the providing provider, who, using the network coverage map, will determine whether your location is within the coverage area. If it turns out that your location does not fall within the coverage area, then specialists will need to determine the distance to the nearest base station to you.

It is desirable that the base station is in line of sight (not necessarily) from you, and the distance is no more than 10 kilometers. Depending on the results obtained (distance and condition of signal reception), you will need to select a WiMax modem and an antenna with the required gain. In addition, you will need a cable to connect the antenna to the modem and a USB extension cable to connect the modem to a router or computer.

The antenna is usually installed at the highest possible point and directed (for the calculation, the Google Earth program can be used) it as accurately as possible to the base station. After that, the antenna connects to the modem, connects to the network and adjusts to the maximum signal level. Very often, to receive the Internet via WiMax, a specialized Wi-Fi router with a USB port is used, which can work as a WiMax modem.

Thus, over a wireless Wi-Fi network (read if) you can open Internet access to other digital devices (tablet, laptop ...). Both Wi-Fi and WiMax technologies are wireless and are used to gain access to the Internet, but despite this they solve a different range of problems. Typically, Wi-Fi is used to build wireless local area networks with a range, depending on the environment, from 50 to 100 meters.

Unlike WiMax, Wi-Fi technology is not used by Internet providers, but this type of wireless Internet connection has gained great popularity in hotels, airports, cafes, clubs, apartments and houses. Because this technology allows you to quickly, easily and conveniently provide everyone who wants to access the global network with wireless Internet. Check out the comparison chart of these standards and read.

Now, in general terms, you know what methods of Internet connection exist. Of course, information technologies do not stand still, but are rapidly developing in our world and the data transfer rate is constantly growing.

2018-09-05T13: 52: 24 + 00: 00

Guys are such bullshit. I bought the Internet 1000 Mbps what happens if I connect it to a router that only pulls 100 Mbps?

2018-08-15T17: 46: 57 + 00: 00

People, is it possible to add traffic from the network and from the mobile Internet like a thread on an ordinary PC? The Internet is slow at work, but lags on the phone. At the same time, how can it be tamped into one channel?

2018-06-20T23: 07: 08 + 00: 00

This article really needs to be completed, but I don’t have time for that yet. If you manage to assemble a team, then the entire article will be rewritten or supplemented. In the meantime, everyone is free to supplement it in the comments, but there are not many of them, but there are many more critics. But this is good, because I point out mistakes, which means there is room to grow.

2018-06-16T16: 07: 22 + 00: 00

Dmitry, what the hell is a satellite dish I mean. It's a hundred times cheaper to make a transfer over a cable. And Kizeev meant Kharchenko's antennas or a wave channel (Yaga). Do you agree? And for the article, thank you. Just about the dedicated line (Ethernet) in more detail: it is expensive and there is a stat. IP address?

2017-12-15T15: 51: 45 + 00: 00

Hello Dmitry. I read a lot of reviews, but only yours interested me. Since I am a lonely pensioner, one cable of an ordinary Internet connection without a router is enough for me, but everywhere there is only a router and a fiberglass cable, and this, accordingly, is the price. Now I have a Beeline, but all the time there are some tricks - I pay only 450 rubles. but you need 900 rubles. And so I'm spinning with my pension: I have to pay for a mobile phone and for electricity and utilities. So I'm getting it. And we, pensioners, also want to live, of course, not like everyone else, but we try not to hit our faces in the dirt. Sorry. Perhaps you have your own business, and you are not up to us. Sincerely, Ludmila

Living in a private home may impose some restrictions on the connection to the World Wide Web, that is, on the connection to the Internet. We will consider options for conducting the Internet in a private house from Rostelecom, one of the largest Russian communication service providers.

At the moment, you can connect the Internet from Rostelecom to a private house in one of the following ways:

using the "technical reserve" of the home telephone;
on "optics" - an optical communication line;
connect via a fixed point of wireless communication via Wi-Fi;
using a mobile or satellite connection.

At the moment, PJSC Rostelecom does not provide satellite Internet services for a private house, which are especially in demand in remote settlements. One of its subsidiaries, RTKomm, operates in this niche. It is advisable to use this method of connection only in cases where other methods are much more expensive than the cost of equipment for satellite communications - it is about 30,000 rubles, although there are discounts that reduce the price.

Let's figure out how to connect the Internet from Rostelecom to a private house.

PON (fiber optic)

Fiber optic is one of the most optimal ways to bring the Internet from Rostelecom to a private home. Technically, the method is data coding with a luminous flux, which can transmit large amounts of information at very high speeds - up to 1 Gbit / s.

The optical cable is not connected directly to the user's computer. You will need a special set-top box decoder that "switches" the connection to a regular twisted pair (Ethernet cable). It is through him that the connection to the Internet is carried out either directly from a PC or a home router.

How much does it cost to install fiber from Rostelecom to a home? By itself, an optical cable has a high price and installation is complicated. Special equipment is required for stripping and splicing cables, which cannot but affect the cost of fiber-optic connection. The ability to extend optical fiber to a private house at Rostelecom directly depends on the distance to the nearest fixed optical router. Ultimately, the price depends on the same distance. But the quality of the connection will be impeccable.

ADSL (telephone line)

How to connect the Internet in a private house using a phone, if the budget does not allow using the technology described above? A good option is ADSL technology, which was used in the "zero" years and still has not lost its usefulness.

To do this, you will need to bring a telephone from Rostelecom into the house. This means stationary. Communication using ADSL technology takes place over a telephone cable, while the telephone line itself is not busy. It's all about the difference in frequencies - the telephone conversation is conducted at low frequencies, the connection to the Internet is carried out at high frequencies. We'll have to buy a frequency splitter - a splitter (cost about 200-300 r) and an ADSL router, which can also be a Wi-Fi router at the same time. It is better to purchase the latter from the provider itself, otherwise you will have to tinker with the settings. Its cost, depending on the brand, is 2-3 thousand rubles. A splitter can be included.

The Internet connected to the house using this technology can deliver speeds of up to 24 Mbit / s. In practice, usually less, 8-10 Mbps. It depends on the fact that the speed depends on the length of the telephone line and its quality, as well as the capabilities of the operator himself. The Internet can also come into the house through wires laid in the 60s, but be prepared for frequent communication problems, especially in the rain.
However, with frequent complaints, the provider's employees quickly eliminate problem areas on the line, and communication is getting better.

Wi-FI

Rostelecom provides the private sector (villages with a population of up to 500 people) with wireless Internet, installing Wi-Fi routers there. Communication is available on any device capable of connecting to a Wi-Fi network. This is done under the state "Program for Eliminating the Digital Divide", so at present such a connection is free, but the speed is limited to 10 Mbit / s, sometimes less. The list of sites that can be accessed is limited to 2000 different government portals.

Using wireless Internet technology, Rostelecom also connects a separate house, but this is a paid service. There are no restrictions on sites, except for those established by law. It is called "Internet at Home", and you can apply for it on the official website of the company.

Mobile Internet

Mobile Internet from Rostelecom for a private home can be a good option for people who use mainly tablets and / or smartphones. Not so long ago, this company joined the ranks of providers providing 3G-standard communication services. Rostelecom offers users a range of tariffs, from which you can choose any to your liking - to surf the Internet all day or to connect at home from time to time to check mail. The volumes of the provided traffic range from 70 MB to 25 GB per month - for each according to his needs.

Cost of services

Connection price and usage price are different things. How much it costs to bring the Internet to a private house is impossible to say unequivocally. The cost of connection is individually determined in each specific case. It depends on many factors, primarily on the location of your home and on the chosen connection method.

The tariff for ADSL-Internet is one - 349 rubles / month (over time, the rate may change). The main direction of development is optical fiber. The price of "optical" Internet at Rostelecom for a home depends on the selected speed - from 99 rubles / month for the "minimum" to 890 rubles / month for unlimited at a speed of 200 Mbps. For a fee, additional services are connected - parental control, antivirus, etc.

How to leave a request and connect?

An application for connecting to the Internet, like other communication services, is easiest to place on the official portal of the provider. Enough:

Select a region from the list.
Go to the subsection "Internet".
Check out the options and click on the one you like the most.

The system will display an online application dialogue. It must be filled in, indicating your contacts, address and full name, and click the "Connect" button. After a while the manager of the company will call you.
If this method is inconvenient for you for some reason, you can leave a request for connection at any office of the company.

High speed internet is best achieved with optical links. Now this technology has come to almost every apartment. The question of how to connect an optical cable is of interest not only to specialists, but also to ordinary users. We will try to expand the topic in more detail.

We will consider the connection using PON technology (passive optical networks) as the most modern and gaining popularity today, displacing conventional wired lines.

Let's start with the basics in order to understand what we will have to face, because optical communication technology differs from ordinary and familiar wires for us, both in terms of the principle of operation and in the way of installation. Of course, this section can be omitted and proceed immediately to solving practical problems, but, nevertheless, knowing the theory it is easier to solve many problems that arise in practice. We will try not to bother you with complicated terms, but to explain everything in a simple and popular way.

How does fiber optic transmission work?

The transmission of a signal through ordinary wires using an electric current runs into two obstacles that limit the speed limit.

A signal with a high frequency decays quickly over a long distance.
High-frequency currents have large losses of energy through radiation into the environment.
Nearby wires and equipment are interfering with the signal.

These negative factors are fought by using intermediate amplifiers, screens, twisting wires. But there is a limit to everything. Today, increasing the speed of information transfer is mainly solved by dividing it into parallel streams. For example, USB 3.0 differs from earlier USB 2.0 in that it uses more than one pair of wires to transfer data.

They were able to radically resolve the issue only with the help of fiber-optic cables. In them, the signal is transmitted using light, more precisely laser radiation, which weakly attenuates at large distances. For communication, glass fibers are used, in which, thanks to the specially selected properties of the core and the outer layer, the effect of complete reflection of the light beam appears.

Also, due to their small diameter, they are flexible (we also find thin flexible glass fibers in such familiar materials as glass wool and fiberglass).

The system works extremely simply - on one side of the cable, the laser radiation is modulated, encoding information in it, which is decoded by the photodetector at the other end. Multiple streams can be transmitted over one fiber, using lasers with different spectra in parallel.

The transmission speed over optical fiber is orders of magnitude higher than the capabilities of metal conductors and reaches several terabits per second.

Has fiber and other advantages:

Absolute protection against external interference, it is impossible to direct an extraneous signal to such a cable.
Due to the absence of metal conductors, such lines cannot be damaged by breakdown of insulation from high voltage, therefore they are also safe for users.
Modern fiber optic cable has a small diameter and takes up a lot of space in trays and sewers.
It is impossible to read information without damaging the cable, and without disrupting its performance by known methods (for example, fixing electromagnetic radiation).

Another advantage of optical fiber is that it is not of interest to attackers, since it does not contain non-ferrous metals.

But there are also some downsides:

such cables cannot be connected with ordinary soldering or twisting, glass must be welded or special connecting elements must be used;
fiberglass cables must not be bent in a small radius;
equipment for receiving and transmitting is complex, although with waste and mass production, as with any electronics, its price is constantly decreasing.

How PON technology works

At first glance, building a subscriber network can be done in two ways:

Run cables from the base station to each user. This is how the standard city network works - a pair of wires go from the automatic telephone exchange to each telephone.
Conduct several high-bandwidth trunk lines to which active switches are connected - switches that distribute access between subscribers. This is how the first networks were built using twisted pairs (LAN) and later fiber optic as backbone lines. For example, there was a fiber-optic line to the house, access to which was distributed across the apartments using twisted pairs connected through switches. These networks were called FTTB (Fiber To Building) - fiber to the building.

PON technology works on a slightly different principle:

Active equipment is mounted only by the provider and the client.
Up to 128 receivers can be connected per fiber. The network is built on the principle of a tree, where branches are branches from the line, and branches of the second order go from them, and so on.
All subscriber devices connected to the same fiber get access to the time-division network. That is, a packet of information is immediately transmitted to one client, then to the second, and so on in turn. Due to the high bandwidth of the line, this does not in any way reduce the data transfer rate. Also, communication is carried out in the opposite direction, but a different laser wavelength is used.

This approach became possible due to the use of special devices - splitters. They split the flow of one fiber into multiple fibers. Radiation losses, of course, are great, but they are compensated for by using high-power lasers, for today their price is not so high.

The advantages of splitters are that they are relatively simple, do not require connection to power grids (this is a passive element, hence the name of the technology) and maintenance.

These features of PON technology make it possible to develop networks in any conditions. If for older methods of distributing the Internet, in contrast to the city, where ordinary switches and servers can be placed without problems in any attic or basement and there are no problems with connecting the power supply, in rural areas there were big difficulties, for PON there are no such problems.

The splitter can be hung on any wall or power line support and even placed in a well, the devices are not afraid of moisture.

PON network

To make it more clear how the PON technology works, we will give a diagram of how such a network is organized.

Let's explain the diagram a little:

The Internet provider or PBX has an OLT (in English - Optical Linear Terminal) from which the distribution is going. Cable lines are connected to it. This is a rather compact device, the photo below shows a rack that can serve several thousand subscribers.

Several cables extend from each OLT, the diagram shows only one, for four cores. They are bred throughout the entire serviced area in the cable duct, along the supports or in another way.

Due to the high power of lasers, the length of cables can reach up to 60 kilometers, although usually manufacturers guarantee a high-quality signal at a distance of up to 20 km, but this is quite enough for an average city.

A splitter is hung on each core (in the diagram these are boxes with the Spliter inscription), from them there are branches either to other splitters, or directly to customers. The diagram shows a split into two cables at the top and four at the bottom, but the signal can branch to more cables, although multi-output devices are rarely used.

After the first splitter, several more can be installed.
At the end of the line, the subscriber has an ONU (in English Optical Network Unit - Optical Network Unit), it can also be called ONT (in English Optical Network Terminal - Optical Network Terminal) to which a LAN cable can be connected. The device is sometimes referred to as an optical modem.

In addition to LAN connections, ONU almost always has sockets for a telephone, since almost always a PON connection provides a package of services: Internet, telephone, television.

As you can see from the diagram, the network can be easily developed without high costs. For example, in the upper part, instead of the first ONU, install another splitter, to which two subscribers can already be connected. You can also replace two-channel splitters with four-channel ones, such as in the lower part of the diagram.

What problems can a regular PON user have?

Our article, as we said above, is not designed for specialists, they already know perfectly well how to connect a fiber-optic cable and set up equipment. When connecting to PON for the first time, providers also usually provide assistance (though more often for a fee, so by doing everything yourself you can save money) with setting up equipment and networks.

How does the connection work?

Contact the provider and write an application, if necessary, make an advance payment.
After a while, several network installation wizards appear at your entrance. As a rule, these are not employees of the company of the Internet provider, but third-party contractors. They poke holes in the wall in your hallway, run the fiber-optic cable from the switchboard at the entrance to the apartment, weld it and install an optical socket near the entrance.

Then the servicemen of the provider appear, who hang up the optical modem (usually it is rented), connect it with a cable to the socket, then configure it. The Internet is already in the house, it remains to distribute it.

The process is approximately the same in a private house, although the distribution boards will either be located on the supports of power lines (telecommunications), in wells, or not at all, and the subscriber cable will be connected from a separate splitter.

These three stages cannot be completed on your own, only if you hire a contract from a provider. In addition, under contracts, networks to the borders of the household or even to the outlet are serviced by the Internet provider free of charge (if they are not intentionally damaged), after the boundaries of the division of the line, they are considered the property of the client and all the costs of their operation are borne by him.

ONT connection in the apartment

The figure below shows a typical diagram for connecting devices to an optical terminal. We will immediately analyze its implementation with our own hands, then we will tell you how you can adjust it depending on the capabilities of the equipment, and how to improve it.

Please note that you will have to deal with optics the least, it is enough to know how to connect a fiber-optic cable to a modem, and all other networks are ordinary wired.

Standard service connection

We will describe in detail all the nodes of the circuit, since not everything is clear to a non-specialist.

The optical socket, as in most cases, is located near the entrance to the hallway. It is connected to the distribution board with a welded optical cable, which was mounted during installation.
The socket with the terminal is also connected with an optical cable, but it is connected to the connectors. This is a patch cord (this is the name for any fiber-optic and wired connecting cables, we will continue to use this term), as a rule, purchased.

A regular telephone cable is used to connect to the telephone. Instead of a telephone socket, it is plugged into the ONT connector, which corresponds to a standard telephone one, and is laid through the apartment to the place where the device is located.

To connect to a stationary computer, a twisted pair (LAN cable) is laid throughout the apartment, which is connected to the corresponding ONT and PC connectors. The connection is similar to connecting through a regular switch.
In order to connect a laptop, Wi Fi is used; for this, a router is placed next to the terminal. In the diagram, it is designated as a PPPoE / Wi-Fi router. It also connects to the ONT using a twisted pair.

The last connection is a TV, for this a digital TV receiver is placed next to it (in the Set Top Box diagram, this is the English designation of the device). To connect the receiver to the ONT, a twisted pair is used again, with a TV, standard HDMI, SCART or Composite (bells) connectors that connect any video device.

Now let's move on to how to implement this scheme:

It is best to use a ready-made optical patch cord to connect to the outlet. Such a wire of short length is easy to obtain at any store. You can make it yourself by purchasing a fiber-optic cable and connectors, we will talk about this below when we describe how to move the terminal further from the outlet.
Then we connect the phone - for this, you can also buy a ready-made wire of the required length with connectors. If it is difficult to choose the length, but you do not want to make a stock, we make it ourselves.

For manufacturing we need:

special crimping (crimper) for RJ11 - 14 connectors or universal (it will also help when crimping twisted pairs);
cable of the required length;
RJ 11 or 14 plug (they cost a penny);
insulation cleaning tool (nippers knife).

Advice. Do not buy a four-core RJ14 cable for standard devices, 2 cores are enough.

We remove the upper insulation from the wire, for this you can use a knife or nippers or crimper blades (if any).
We expose the upper insulation by 6-8 millimeters, we do not touch the insulation of individual conductors.
We push them into the body all the way. Moreover, if we use, as we have already said, a two-wire wire, then the conductors must lie in the sockets of the two central contacts. Which side will be red and which side will be green is not important, despite the fact that there is a wiring diagram for these connectors, it is not necessary to follow it, telephones are not sensitive to polarity.

Then we insert the connector into the crimper, it should fit correctly into the corresponding socket and squeeze its handles. The bar will slide inward, the knives will cut through the insulation of the cores and reliably connect the contacts.

Advice. You can try to crimp the connector without a crimper. To do this, after installing the wires, press the knives separately with a screwdriver with a sharpened tip, and then the bar to fix the wire inside. The work must be done carefully, however, the plugs themselves cost a penny, so you can break a few pieces until you can achieve a normal result.

The phone can also be connected using standard short patch cords. To do this, we install sockets near the phone and ONT.

Conductors in them are usually clamped with terminals. In this case, you need to connect 2 and 3 contacts (red and green wires fit to them, just like in a telephone cable). This approach is even more convenient.

We connect the computer using a twisted pair. As in the case with a phone, you can try to find a ready-made cable of the required length or purchase a twisted pair cable and plugs. Crimping occurs in the same way, but with one feature, before installing the conductors in the nests, you need to develop the ends of the conductors and arrange them in the correct order, it is shown in the figure below.

When preparing a LAN line, do not forget one more feature - twisted pairs have different bandwidth, in order to fully realize the possibilities of optical connection, you need to choose cables of at least category 5, they provide gigabit speed.

Then we connect the TV receiver and Wi Fi router, everything is exactly the same as for a computer - we stretch a twisted pair cable, which we plug into the appropriate connectors. For the latter, if it is located as in the diagram, it is easier to use a ready-made short patch cord. The router will need to be configured, as it is described in the instructions for its operation.

Simplifying the schema

The standard circuit is designed for components with minimal functionality. But modern devices have advanced capabilities, we will tell you how to use them.

As a rule, almost all ONT terminals can distribute Wi-Fi, so you can refuse a router.
TVs with the Smart TV function also most often have a LAN input and do not need a receiver for them.

If you use a radiotelephone, then its base station can be placed next to the terminal and not run a telephone wire around the house. Moreover, many people already have devices in the hallway where a digital outlet is most often installed.

In general, using a Wi-Fi connection, you can refuse wires, except for the telephone. Many TVs include a module for receiving wireless networks, and for a stationary computer, you can buy a receiver that either plugs into a USB connector or is installed on the motherboard in PCI slots.

However, when connecting via Wi-Fi, you will not be able to achieve the high speeds that an Internet connection via a fiber optic cable implies. Wireless network capabilities are limited and depend on the distance to the router and the presence of obstacles (walls).

Schema improvements

Now let's talk about the possibilities for improving the circuit. There is much more to offer. It is difficult to somehow systematically give options and describe them all, but we will try.

Phone line

Let's start with the simplest thing - a telephone, in the house there may be not one device in the office, as in the diagram, but several, in the bedroom, in the kitchen, in the living room. An optical modem most often has only one RJ 11 (RJ 14) connector. Therefore, the line from him will have to be branched. This can be done in three ways.

Install a telephone splitter - a box with three outputs for RJ connectors in the place required for branching. Alternatively, install a double socket. This option may even be preferable, since later, in case of breakdowns, by disconnecting sections, it will be easy to find the damaged line.
Install any suitable terminal box at the separation point and split the line with it.
Connect another one to the telephone cable using soldering or twisting.

Router

A router installed in the hallway may not provide a clear signal (the weaker it is, the lower the data transfer rate) throughout the apartment or house, especially if the building area is large. It is advisable to move it closer to the center of the housing. True, this option is impossible if the terminal itself distributes Wi-Fi. Alternatively, install the signal amplifier (repeater) closer to the center.

LAN lines

Due to the location of the fiber-optic terminal, the twisted pair lines are long. Although the signal in them does not attenuate much, it is more convenient to lay it all the same from the center, especially if there is a lot of equipment in the house connected to the network. As the best option, of course, it would be to move the ONT terminal itself to the center, but it may not be possible to do this (more on this below).

But there is one more possibility - we move the router to the center, as we said above, and we do the rest of the wiring from it. Almost all models of these devices, in addition to distributing Wi-Fi, have four LAN ports per output and work as switches.

Also, in the standard scheme, the laptop is only supposed to be connected via a wireless network. But we have already said that Wi-Fi does not fully implement the high-speed data transfer capabilities that an optical terminal provides. Therefore, it is advisable to stretch a twisted pair cable to connect it to those places (living room, bedroom, kitchen) where you most often use a laptop.

The television

As we have already said, modern TVs with the "smart" function have connectors for connecting a twisted pair (LAN) and a Wi-Fi receiver allows you to abandon the receiver altogether. It is correct to call such devices not even TVs, but monoblock computers with TV functionality.

If the TV supports high definition video or even 3D, it is still better to connect via LAN (due to the possible decrease in speed over the wireless channel). Also, for such devices, if a receiver is still used, then it is better to connect it to a TV to ensure video quality not through the SCART or Composite connectors shown in the diagram, but through HDMI or at least DVI.

Another feature today in the house is usually not one TV, but several. How do I connect them?

If you need high quality, then you have to pull the twisted pair to each, if not, then you can get by with Wi-Fi. Even if the TV receiver itself or the receiver to it does not support this technology, the wireless adapter costs less than $ 10.

In this subsection of the article, we will also answer the frequently asked question - how to connect the optical cable of the TV to the receiver?

In principle, there are receivers that are directly connected to an optical network, but they are mainly used for broadcasting in cable networks, that is, for professional use. All home digital television receivers are connected as described above.

Backup power

The disadvantage of modern high-tech communication lines and not only optical ones is that terminal devices require connection to the electrical network.

If the old telephone could operate on the voltage supplied from the automatic telephone exchange through the wires, then the device connected to the terminal is completely dependent on its power supply. That is, if your house lights go out, you will not be able to receive and receive calls. Therefore, consider a backup power supply for your optical modem.

Considering that the power consumption of the ONT is usually within the range of 15-20 watts, any uninterruptible power supply unit is suitable for this purpose (it is accepted to abbreviate UPS - uninterruptible power supply).

For example, if an uninterruptible power supply has a 9 A / h battery, then it will be able to provide you with communication for 6-7 hours. During this time, the mains are usually repaired. For rural areas where power outages are longer, you can choose a unit with a larger battery capacity.

It is advisable to connect a Wi-Fi router to the UPS in addition to an optical modem. Then, in the event of a power outage, you will have not only a telephone connection, but also the Internet, provided that the batteries of a laptop, tablet or smartphone are charged.

ONT terminal transfer

As we already said, the location of the modem at the front door is not optimal; it is advisable to place it closer to the center of the apartment in order to improve Wi-Fi communication and reduce the length of wired lines.

Of course, porting a device can be problematic:

the provider may not allow the modem to be moved independently;
the subscriber optical cable is quite picky about the conditions of laying, does not like bending under a small radius, it needs to be additionally protected.

But sometimes it is still desirable to rearrange the modem, especially in large apartments with several levels. Let's consider how this can be done, or rather, how to lengthen the optical cable.

There are several options:

Use an optical cable with connectors corresponding to the connectors in the socket and the modem (a kind of patch cord) of long length. The most acceptable option, however, such cables are not found on sale, but you can make it yourself. Moreover, with this approach, there are no problems with the provider.
Extend fiber optic using connectors... Below is a look at how this can be done. But note that the signal loss with this method will be greater than with the first option.
Weld fiber cable... It's actually not that difficult, and we'll also look at how it's done. The only problem is that a welding machine costs several thousand dollars and is not worth buying for one or two joints. Although if you are going to continue building optical networks at a professional level ...

You can also borrow equipment from a friend or rent for a day.

By the way, sometimes they ask if it is possible to install two ONTs in one apartment. In principle, it is possible, but unlike telephones, they cannot work in parallel, you will have to pay for two personal accounts. So this choice makes sense only if you need uninterrupted internet and it is possible to connect to the internet via fiber optic cable from different providers.

By the way, a similar scheme, though wired, is implemented at my home. Through a DSL modem, I am connected to the republican provider Beltelecom, from which I have chosen a tariff without a monthly fee. The second connection using a twisted pair cable to the server of a local provider (director of an enterprise, a neighbor and a friend), where the Internet is obtained for free. If someone breaks down, then I easily switch to reserve.

To help, we also offer video connection of an optical cable:

Connecting and connecting optical cables

All the works described below are usually done by craftsmen for a decent fee, although as you can see, they are quite simple with the equipment and tools. In my opinion, mastering the connection of optics is also not difficult, as well as the correct soldering of the usual copper wires.

True, such a need rarely arises, but we will look with an eye to the future, perhaps soon optical fiber will replace copper everywhere, and terminal devices will connect to it directly, and not through ONT.

Installing optical connectors

Let's take a look at how the most common SC connectors are mounted. The vast majority of modems and sockets use this type. For installation, we need a set of special tools and materials.

Although it costs decently, it is still cheaper than a fiber-optic splicer. Such kits are usually supplied with detailed instructions, so we will give an approximate order of operations for review.

The steps for installing the connector on the cable are as follows:

We remove the insulation with special nippers - stripper. This tool has calibrated gaps between the cutting edges allowing you to remove layers one by one without damaging the fiber itself.
Then the Kevlar fiber is cut, which reinforces the sheathing of the wire. To do this with ordinary scissors will not work because of its great strength. You will need sturdier blades, which are most commonly available from a stripper.
Then a part of the connector is put on, which will fix it on the cable.
Then the hydrophobic coating on the glass fiber itself is removed with a special composition or simply with alcohol wipes.
Next, glue is prepared and typed into a syringe, which will fix the fiber in the connector. A strictly metered amount of it is introduced into the channel, into which the exposed optical fiber is then passed.
After the glue has hardened, the optical fiber is chipped off with a special tool.
Then its butt end is sanded.
In conclusion, the rest of the connector is put on, and it is crimped with a special crimp.

Fiber optic connection with a mechanical connector

This method is easier than the previous one: pieces of fiber-optic cable are taken, with connectors (pigtails) mounted in an industrial environment, and are joined with a mechanical connector. The disadvantage of this method is the signal loss at the connections, it is comparable to a decrease in the light intensity in the connectors themselves (it is clear that the connectors cannot be abandoned). So it's better to either weld or mount the fiber in the connector.

Interesting. Pig-tail is translated from English as "pig's tail", a rather apt comparison.

Using the SNR-Link connector as an example, we will describe the execution of the work.

The cable is stripped of insulation and cleaved.
The ends of the stripped cable are inserted into the connector.

Then the latch fixing the joint is simply pressed.

This is where the work ends. As you can see in the photo below, the test of this connection shows a loss of 0.028 dB, this is comparable to the loss in the connector, although according to the passport data, the connector allows losses of up to 0.04 dB. By the way, the device is reusable.

Wire welding

As we already said, it is best to weld wires or pigtails, this is also not difficult, the whole problem is only in the cost of the device. Let's show how welding takes place in stages.

The device turns on and self-test takes place.

Next, we introduce the type of cable to be welded. Moreover, for this you do not need to professionally understand all types of fiber-optic conductors, we simply enter the marking indicated either on the packaging or on the very surface of the insulation.

Then, removing the outer protective layer with any suitable tool, we install the wire in a special holder. Before that, do not forget to put on the KDZS sleeve (a set of parts for protecting the welded joint), which will then close the welding place.

Then the holder is placed in the thermostat of the apparatus, and it turns on. The insulation is removed by heat, and the risk of damaging the fiber is much less than with conventional mechanical stripping.

The lid closes and the thermostat starts. He cleans the wire himself.

Then, without removing the wire from the holder, we wipe it with alcohol (a round container with a tampon is on the top cover of the device) to remove the hydrophobic coating and install it in the cleaver. The holder in it, as in the stripper, is attached to the magnet. Chipping takes place when the lid is closed. Scraps of fiber fall into a special container so as not to get lost (it is easy to drive a thin fiber almost invisible to the eye under the skin, but it is difficult to extract it later).

Attention. Be very careful about fiber optic waste, they should not be lost, as it can be harmful to health. It is especially dangerous if pieces of glass wire enter the respiratory tract.

When the two wires are prepared, without removing them from the holders, we install them directly under the welding electrodes.

We start the welding process. The machine aligns and centers the fibers and splices them in less than ten seconds.

At the end of welding, the device shows the result - what losses will be at this joint. In the image below, they are highlighted with an oval, only 0.01 dB.

It remains to plant the KZDS sleeve, for this it is put on the joint (we first remove the holders) and the wire is placed in the oven.

The process also takes a few seconds. We remove the finished welded fiber optic cable from the oven (be careful, it will be hot).

As you can see, everything is quite simple, if you do not have crooked hands, you can quickly learn how to weld fiber optics just by reading the manual for the welding machine (our article is also suitable) or get a 10-minute instruction. I note that it is much more difficult to acquire the skills of connecting ordinary wires with a soldering iron and solder so quickly.

We hope that our article has told everything about an optical cable, how to connect it, connect, coordinate the operation of a fiber-optic modem with other devices. Even if you are not going to independently mount networks or connectors, knowing how to do it, you can find the cause of the breakdown and ways to eliminate them. Let the Internet in your home always be fast and uninterrupted.

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