Keeping latency in check is critical for quality of service (QoS) of demanding Ethernet wireless backhaul, wholesale and business services. Given that Ethernet bandwidth is considered relatively ‘inexpensive’, some providers increase throughput to reduce latency and keep performance within strict SLA tolerances. However, the relationship between bandwidth and latency is anything but simple in packet-based networks, where increasing throughput can sometimes have no effect on delay, or even increase it under certain conditions. This paper explores the key sources of delay, and techniques to optimize latency without consuming excess bandwidth. These guidelines allow providers to use their network resources as efficiently as possible, while assuring the QoS of critical, real-time services. <a href=”http://knowledgeportalcfn.com/2007/08/optimizing-carrier-ethernet-latency-bandwidth-efficiency/”>Download Full White Paper Here</a>

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By now there’s no doubt about it: mobile operators need to get their backhaul networks in condition to meet the burgeoning market for anytime, anywhere data access. Backhaul, once considered the humdrum side of an operator’s network, has become the topic du jour now that the mobile phone customershave shifted to smartphones and are taking advantage of data-hungry services in a big way. Earlier this month, AT&T reported that its wireless data traffic has grown more than 5,000 percent over the past three years, largely due to smartphones, which are used by about 40 percent of its post-paid customer base. All operators have to contend with this growth, and quickly: smartphones should represent the vast majority (65%) of phones sold in the country by 2012, according to Creative Strategies, an analyst firm. Operators are taking steps to prepare their networks to meet the expected demand, and the process of identifying specific backhaul needs and configuring the best solutions will force companies to bring the backhaul problem to the forefront of their infrastructure and business planning. This is a closer look at the available options and considerations operators must keep in mind as they prepare to build out this part of their networks.

If the price is right, fiber backhaul is preferable to all other methods. Fiber links offer higher
throughput speeds than any competing access technology and extremely high availability. All
fiber links are not equal, however, and, moreover, the fiber link should always be considered in
the context of overall metro core network, of which the fiber itself comprises the lowest layer. Fiber-optic networks in the broadest sense may be divided into two categories: active and
passive. Active networks employ optoelectronic elements that on-load and off-load traffic and
direct it along the network paths, as well as amplifying and conditioning the signals to extend
distance and reduce error rates. Passive networks are much simpler and employ passive optical
splitters to direct the signal along parallel optical paths, generally not exceeding 32 because
each split halves optical power in the resulting pathways.

Working with companies such as CFN Services, who help manage operation and expense of the fiber by offering wireless operators a single monthly price for a fully managed fiber core is the best solution http://www.cfnservices.com

Global Content Network Background A leading content provider wanted to create a global content network. The provider wanted this network to be tested in 32 sites that were found in North America, South America, Europe and Asia to help with the economic costs of the services that would be needed to create this network. The provider wanted to know the economics of using SONET, wavelength or dark fiber services for this project.

BUSINESS CHALLENGE

To design a network solution and business case for metro, intercity, and intercontinental fiber based transport, Internet peering locations, collocation facilities and required transport network equipment to support long range capacity and data center plans for a leading Internet and media content company.

CFN SERVICES NETWORK SOLUTION

CFN Services reviewed 32 sites across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia to determine economics of using SONET, wavelength, and dark fiber networks to reach each designated site.

CFN Services then identified Tier 1 Internet peering points and collocation facilities in 22 cities and then created preliminary fiber network ring designs to connect all the facilities.

This was followed up with CFN Services establishing business case inputs for optical transport equipment and management services, SONET, wavelength and dark fiber services.

This allowed CFN Services to provide their customer with end-to-end network design and architecture based on business case recommendations.

This information was used to manage the procurement and integration of all SONET, wavelength, and dark fiber services together and to help build the fiber network extensions to interconnect off-net facilities with the core network fiber rings.

Once the networks were completed CFN Services then began to create ways to manage the engineering, furnishing, and installation of all the optical transport as well as the end-to-end test, acceptance, and turn up of the network.

Provided all routine and emergency maintenance across all network expansion projects.

Provided 24x7x365 emergency dispatch with 2 hour on-site response for fault isolation and resolution.