case study
Managing Ethernet Services
for Profitability
Situation
A major telecommunications service provider chose to roll-out 10/100Base-T and Gigabit Ethernet
services to business customers nationwide. With higher bandwidth and at a lower cost per bit than
circuit-based data delivery such as T1 and T3, the new Ethernet LAN services would draw immediate
interest from customers. Once the multi-service platform was selected for transport of 10/100Base-T
over copper cabling and Gigabit Ethernet over fiber, attention turned to designing an infrastructure
for management of a service offering that could impact operations across the country.
It was the healthy forecast of demand for these data services that raised a flag for network planners.
As the Ethernet services scale, installations would become more frequent and rearrangements of
cables and Ethernet switches in the CO would become more common. The challenge was to build a
network foundation today that would help restrain operating expenses and capital costs while
maintaining service integrity.
Solution
Borrowing upon years of managing volume processes for voice services, network planners decided that
the infrastructure for new Ethernet services should be uniform across all COs. In addition, it should offer
efficiencies for adding customers, installing and upgrading Ethernet switches, and making other changes
and rearrangements as required.
ADC engineers proposed cabling Ethernet equipment in each CO to a centralized cross-connect called
an Ethernet Distribution Frame (EDF). By creating a common craft interface for adds, upgrades, and
rearrangements on Ethernet equipment, the EDF would enable change without service disruptions. The
EDF provides a logical and easy-to-manage infrastructure due to two design characteristics:
• All network elements have permanent equipment cable connections that are, once terminated, never
handled again.
• All changes, circuit rerouting, upgrades, maintenance and other activities are accomplished using
semi-permanent patch cords on the front of the EDF cross-connect bay.
10/100/1000
ETHERNET
5800 SERIES

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ETHERNET
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ETHERNET
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the EDF. The 10Base-T and 100Base-T auto-
negotiation feature within a single port would
enable the service provider to upgrade service
without replacing line cards in the transport
device—again helping to conserve capital. The
system, which can be accessed and monitored
remotely, supports 12 Ethernet ports in a 2RU
footprint. Multiple variations of line cards can be
deployed in the chassis ranging from 10Base-T to
Gigabit Ethernet copper interfaces with transitions
to single mode or multimode fiber.
Containing Operating Expenses
To reduce installation time and errors, the EDF includes 5800 Series patch panels for handling permanent
Ethernet cable connections and creating the patch field for managing moves, adds and changes. Each
5800 panel features RJ45 connectors on the front and 25-pair RJ21x connectors on the rear. Experience
showed that RJ21x rear terminations shaved cable installation time to about 2 minutes for each 24-port
panel—compared to nearly one hour for each 24-port panel with 110 punch-down terminations. As the
Ethernet service offering grows, installation savings would be significant.
In addition, RJ21x connectors reduced installation errors common with 110 punch-down terminations
such as crossed wires and pairs untwisted too far that often disables valuable ports on Ethernet
equipment. Use of pre-terminated, 100% factory tested RJ21x Category 5e cable assemblies to connect
5800 distribution panels in active Ethernet bays with 5800 panels in the EDF ensured high quality
terminations and less rework in the CO.
ADC Telecommunications, Inc., P.O. Box 1101, Minneapolis, Minnesota USA 55440-1101
Specifications published here are current as of the date of publication of this document. Because we are continuously improving our products, ADC
reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. At any time, you may verify product specifications by contacting our headquarters
office in Minneapolis. ADC Telecommunications, Inc. views its patent portfolio as an important corporate asset and vigorously enforces its patents.
Products or features contained herein may be covered by one or more U.S. or foreign patents. An Equal Opportunity Employer
1260780 5/04 Revision © 2003, 2004 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Web Site: www.adc.com

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