Optical Networking

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Summary: A Tech Guide for Non-Techies
Review: As a professional working on the non-technical side of the fiber optics business, I found this guide very accessible and helpful. The book gives a practical, non-technical breakdown of optical networks. The technology tutorials on optical components, network architectures, and installation issues provided a good overview without being overly detailed. A great book for anyone selling, manufacturing or installing fiber optics.

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Summary: A Quick Guide to Optical Networks
Review: Debra Cameron gives us a nice snapshot of the state of the art in "Optical Networking". It's a quick primer for the IT manager, telecom sales agent, networking students and anyone else who needs to know what's going on in the fast moving world of fiber optics.

What I like best about this book is how it covers the gamut of optical networking topics from what is driving the need for bandwidth to advantages and disadvantages of various protocols, to discussion of the carriers that are in this business. There's even a section on fiber to the home (FTTH), a long promised and slowly emerging technology that could truly change the way telephone, Internet and even movies are delivered to consumers.

So, do you know where fiber makes more sense than wireless or satellite transmission? You will when you've read chapter 1. How about the difference between ATM, SONET, Ethernet and MPLS? Are your eyes beginning to glaze over? You'll want this book. In the length of a paragraph or so you'll see why you'd want ATM for its quality of service. You'll understand why fiber is the only sensible option for Gigabit Ethernet. You'll even develop a general knowledge of network protocol stacks. Yes, protocol stacks! If you've found yourself buried up to your eyeballs after a few pages of a typical fiber optic design book, you'll find this treatment pleasantly straightforward.

Other technical topics made simple include Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) vs Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM), signal regeneration, Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers, network topology, and SONET.

"Optical Networking" is also a strategy book. You get a feel for who's who in the optical networking marketplace. There are discussions about owning your own fiber and leasing dark fiber. One entire chapter is devoted to "Optical Networking and Urban Planning." For IT managers, engineers and business people, the chapter on "Optical Networking and the Corporate Network" is particularly valuable.

At last, there is no need to be intimidated by fiber optic networks. By the end of this book, you'll know enough to determine if optical networking has a place in your computer and telecommunications planning. You'll also be able to speak the language and ask the right questions of vendors selling routers, VoIP solutions, WAN line services, and other elements of your IT strategy. Dark fiber may become a part of your plan, but there is no reason for YOU to stay in the dark about fiber optic networking.

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Summary: Real World Application
Review: I appreciated this book because it provides useful information that I can use to evaluate questions that my business deals with everyday. The case studies discuss real-world practical and cost benefits gained by installing fiber over other last mile solutions (like DSL, fixed wireless, and cable). It also provides insights into the most promising uses for optical networks, such as municiple fiber, converged telecom networks, fiber to the home, and enterprise networks. A must for understanding fiber optics today.