2

When I work with multiple ISPs, they refer a connection type as a "10 Gbps wave connection". What does it really mean? I can understand 10 Gbps fiber but what does "wave" meas?

Improve this question
1
  • Did any answer help you? If so, you should accept the answer so that the question doesn't keep popping up forever, looking for an answer. Alternatively, you can provide your own answer and accept it.
    – Ron Maupin ♦
    Commented Aug 6, 2017 at 20:12

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
10

Most likely they mean a wavelength on a DWDM path. With DWDM, a fiber operator can use one single pair of fibers to carry a number of different colors (wavelengths) of light using multiplexing. Each of these colors can then be used to transmit its own signal, for example 10Gbps ethernet. This way, they are able to use a fiberpair more efficiently.

Improve this answer
4

A wavelength service is muxed onto a DWDM system, such that you get a full 10Gbps pipe non-blocking with a fixed latency and jitter (except in case of protection switching if the provider has a failure!). You're geting either a full color of light on a fiber or at least a 10gbps slot of a color of light which is muxed in a TDM fashion (that is, withOUT statistical multiplexing). In modern networks this is probably done with OTN, in the past it would've been SONET (OC-192 for example).

So this is in contrast to an MPLS or packet-based service where the provider would provision your 10Gbps on routers/switches and you'd share some statistically-muxed packet queues with other customers. This is usually cheaper because the provider can over-provision more heavily.

Whether you care depends on your application for the cuircuit and the quality of the provider.

Improve this answer
0

Wavelength (colors) used for the transmission are longer than visible light and lie in infrared band. The standard wavelengths are 850nm, 1310nm and 1550nm depending on the type of fiber. While plastic optical fiber (POF) and multimode fiber transmission use shorter wavelengths between 650nm-850nm and 850nm-1310nm, respectively, single mode fiber transmission operates at 1260nm-1675nm. The wavelength range is lower confined by the fiber cut-off wavelength and upper restricted by bending and SiO2 absorption losses

Improve this answer
-1

Wave is the name of a company which offer carrier transport service and IP transit, on the US west coast.

Improve this answer
2
  • 3
    Seriously dude?
    – sdaffa23fdsf
    Commented Apr 28, 2016 at 14:34
  • 1
    wave is a real company name, but the context obviously means WDM transport
    – Mike Pennington
    Commented Apr 28, 2016 at 20:00

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.