Just What Is Optical Carrier (oc) Bandwidth?

Ever wonder just what the heck was an "OC48"?

Not surprisingly many network engineers and IT managers aren't up to speed (no pun intended) on just what OC really means...And what all is available to enahnce their company's applications within that bandwidth category.So....Here's a quick run down to set you straight.The OC (optical carrier...Fiber optic based broadband network )hierarchy goes as follows, starting with a T3/DS3 electrical carrier and then on to an OC-1:DS3 (Electrical) = 44.736mbits/sec = 28 T1s/DS1sSTS1 (Electrical) = (1) DS3 @ 44.736mbits/sec with SONET (Synchronous Optical NET) overhead = 51.840mbits/secOC-1 (Optical) = (1) STS1 on Optical facilitiesOC-3 = (3) OC-1s = 155.52mbits/secOC-9 = (9) OC-1s (not commonly used) = 466.56mbits/secOC-12 = (12) OC-1s or (4) OC-3s = 622.08mbits/secOC-18 = (18) OC-1s (not commonly used) = 933.12mbits/secOC-24 = (24) OC-1s (not commonly used) = 1.244gbits/secOC-36 = (36) OC-1s (not commonly used) = 1.866gbits/secOC-48 = (48) OC-1s or (4) OC-12s or (16) OC-3s = 2.488gbits/secOC-192= (192) OC-1s or (4) OC-48s or (16) OC-12s or (64) OC-3s = 9.953gbits/secThe reason for the stair-stepping of the OC Hierarchy is due to the fact that the next available level of multiplexing ('muxing") of lower-level circuits is usually 4: (4) OC-3s = (1) OC-12, and (4) OC-48s = (1) OC-192.This muxing scheme is usually dictated by the equipment manufacturers and is pretty much an adopted standard in the Telecom industry - hence the lack of the lesser-common bandwidth aggregations like OC-9, OC-18, etc. The only exception is the OC-3, wihch was needed to allow the upper-level hierarchy to work.Hope that tidbit of info helps the network design decisions for your business at that moment....And in the future!

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....Including DS3-Bandwidth.Com and Business-VoIP-Solution.Com. Michael also authors Broadbnad Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.Com/?