Innovative Ways To Make
Cost Effective LANs
for K-12 Schools
Mike Lynch
Telecommunications Industry Association
Fiber Optics LAN Section
TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section
Background and Mission

Formed in 1993 as part of TIA’s Fiber Optics Division

Members include: ADC, Berk-Tek, CommScope, Corning,
Fluke Networks, Leviton Voice & Data, OFS, Optek
Technology, Ortronics, Panduit, Sumitomo Electric
Lightwave, Transmission Networks, Tyco/AMP Electronics

Mission: To create a resource where people can learn about
the technical advantages and affordability that optical
transmission brings to customer-owned networks
2
Expanded Focus
Result of Target Audience & Member Input
•
•
•
•
Fiber-based LANs
Storage area networks
Data centers
Market-specific applications



Industrial
Education
Government
3
TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section
Many Resources Available







Web site
Trade press articles
White papers
Press releases
Editor briefings
Stimulate complementary
standards development
Interoperability
demonstrations




Presentations at industry
conferences
Enterprise fiber case histories
Equipment directories
Web conferences
www.fols.org
4
Innovative Ways To Make
Cost Effective LANs
for K-12 Schools
Mike Lynch
Telecommunications Industry Association
Fiber Optics LAN Section
Outline – Agenda
•
•
•
FOLS Background
The New Fiber - Characteristics
Basic Network Designs



•
FOLS Cost model



•
Applying designs to K-12 Schools
Examples of net designs – Labs, Classrooms, Administration
Applying Products to Designs
Review of Assumptions
Review model format
Interactive cost modeling
Summary - Next Steps
6
Fiber Misconceptions
“Not Your Father’s Fiber”
Size
•
Perception: Copper cable is
smaller than fiber cable
Fact: Fiber is 15% smaller
•
Rating
•
•
Perception: Copper is more
fire-resistant
Fact: Fiber is plenum-rated,
compatible with infrastructure
Weight
•
Perception: Copper weighs less
than fiber
Fact: Fiber components are
heavier, but fiber cable is lighter
•
Strength
•
•
Perception: Fiber is fragile
Fact: Fiber is 4+ times
stronger than copper
7
Fiber’s New Characteristics
8
Fiber’s New Characteristics
9
Fiber’s New Characteristics
10
Fiber’s New Characteristics
11
Fiber’s New Characteristics
12
Fiber’s New Characteristics
13
Fiber’s New Characteristics
14
Fiber’s New Characteristics
15
A Multi-design K-12 Network
16
A Distributed Network
Copper and Fiber
In a conventional distributed
structured cabling design, the
backbone cable is optical fiber. The
horizontal segment of the network
typically consists of twisted-pair
copper cable or optical fiber cable
(depending on distance).
Backbone cables in an inter-building
network travel from a main crossconnect (distributor) to one or more
horizontal cross-connects within a
telecommunication room, which
includes active electronics
equipment such as hubs,
concentrators or switches. These
would easily support a school
administration network.
17
A Centralized Network
All Fiber
Optical fiber’s bandwidth
and ability to carry data
over long distances is best
utilized in centralized
networks.
Centralized networks have
more unblocked bandwidth
than distributed networks
and therefore are better
suited to support combined
voice, video and data traffic
requiring quality of service
implementation.
Optical fiber eliminates
intermediate closets, thus
simplifying network layout
and reducing overall system
cost. Classrooms are a good
example of one of the
places a centralized network
could be implemented.
18
Zone Cabling Architecture
Moves, adds or changes in an openoffice environment can be
accommodated quickly and
efficiently through consolidation
points by combining permanent
feeder cabling with pre-terminated
plug-and-play extender cables
associated with the work area.
Zone cabling is a relatively new
term for a concept being used in
many schools today. One good
example of where it could be used
is in a computer lab.
19
Standard Architectures Drive Lower Costs
•
•
•
•
TIA-568 - in 1991
Centralized Cabling
Consolidation Points
Telecommunications Enclosures
 Commonly know with “zone” cabling
20
Zone, Tiny TR, Telecom Enclosure Update
•
TR42.3 has drafted Telecom Enclosure (official name)
 Has finished final default ballot.
 Will be part of the ANSI/TIA-569-B Standard

TR42.1 has drafted a TE cabling implementation document
 Final default ballot complete  Will become an addendum for TIA 568-B.1
• Ballot Resolution Completed in February.
• Final document integration this Summer.
21
Traditional Design
LEGEND:
HC
in the TR
Optical Fiber Backbone
= Fiber Backbone Cable
= Horizontal Cable
= Telecommunications
Outlet/Connector
= Building Pathways
and Spaces
HC = Horizontal CrossConnect
TR = Telecommunications
Room
Cubicles
Offices
22
Zone Cabling with a Telecomm
Enclosure
LEGEND:
HC
in the TR
Optical Fiber Backbone
= Fiber Backbone Cable
= Horizontal Cable
= Telecommunications
Outlet/Connector
= Telecomm Enclosure
with a switch
= Building Pathways
and Spaces
HC = Horizontal CrossConnect
TR = Telecommunications
Room
Cubicles
Offices
23
School’s “Secret Weapon”
•
•
•
•
Small inexpensive switch in every class
Managed or un-managed
Covered or accessible
Really used as a media converter
24
Details Of A Multi-design K-12 Network
25
Zone Cabling
Transition
points vs.
consolidation
points
Used in
Computer Labs
26
Zone
Distribution
Patch Panels
Patch Cords
Connectors
Labs or
Classrooms
Mini-Switch
Copper Cable
Fiber Cable
Patch panels
Patch cords
Connectors
Cables
Extreme switches
27
Centralized or Zone Designs
For
Classrooms
Patch panels
Patch cords
Connectors
Cables
Extreme switches
28
Distributed Network
For
Admin
Patch panels
Patch cords
Connectors
Cables
Extreme switches
29
Details Of A Zone K-12 Network
30
Fiber to the Classroom
Specifications:
(4) 1000BaseSX Uplinks
(48) 100BaseFX Uplinks
Alpine 3804 Chassis
Alpine 3800 4-Port GBIC Module
Alpine 3800 24-port 100BaseFX Module
Alpine 3800 24-port 100BaseFX Module
i
GM-4X
45112
1
AMBER
GREEN
STATUS
1
2
AMBER
- ACTIVITY
GREEN
- LINK OK
3
2
3
3
4
- ACTIVITY
- LINK OK
3804
4
45015
1000 BASE-X
(240) 10/100BaseTX Low Usage Ports
(18) 10/100BaseTX High Usage Ports
(24) 10/100BaseTX High Usage Lab
Ports
FLASHING ORANGE - DISABLED
FM-24F
i
45211
1
A
DIAG
B
STATUS
STATUS
2
3
4
5
6
7
CONSOLE
PSU
8
MODEM
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
- ACTIVITY
GREEN
- LINK OK
22
23
2
24
SMM
i
45014
100 BASE-FX
LINK\
ACTIVE
AMBER
21
MGMT
PCMCIA
FM-24F
i
45211
AMBER
= ACTIVITY
GREEN
= LINK OK
1
FLASHING GREEN = DISABLED
1
9
STATUS
17
2
10
3
4
11
12
STATUS
18
19
20
5
13
21
6
14
22
7
15
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 1-12
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
12-24
100 BASE-FX
8
24
4
2
- LINK OK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
25
26
27
28
29
2
10
22
23
24
30
31
32
- LINK OK
GREEN
3
4
1
4
5
3
11
4
12
5
13
6
14
7
15
8
9
12
13
16
19
20
21
22
23
24
27
28
29
30
31
32
i
45210
25
28
1
4
5
8
9
12
17
20
21
24
25
28
17
20
21
24
29
13
3
32
16
FM-32T
i
45210
8
18
26
FM-32T
10/100 BASE-TX
MDI-X
10/100 BASE-TX
MDI-X
16
17
25
2
1000 BASE-X
- DISABLED
FLASHING GREEN
9
2
- ACTIVITY
AMBER
1
1
- ACTIVITY
- LINK OK
- DISABLED
- DISABLED
FLASHING GREEN
STATUS
AMBER
GREEN
FLASHING ORANGE
- ACTIVITY
AMBER
GREEN
STATUS
1
i
GM-4X
45112
ACTIVITY
1
45213
CONSOLE
PCMCIA
LINK
A PSU
B PSU
STATUS
1 FM-24Ti
16
23
3
MGMT
DIAG
STATUS
29
4
32
(18) Standalone Computers
(30) Classrooms
(1) Computer Lab
100BaseFX Fiber Link
1000BaseSX Fiber Links
Centralized Main Closet
3M L2 Switches
with Gigabit Uplink
VOL-1081 Mini Switch
100BaseFX Fiber Link
Fiber NIC or
Media Converter
Workstation
Typical High Demand Lab
Typical Low Demand Classroom
Typical Standalone Computer
Volition™ Network Solutions
31
Testimonials on FOLS.org
•
Education (K-12)

Guilford County School System, Greensboro, N.C.
 Richardson Independent School District, Richardson, TX
 Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
 Fowlerville Junior High School, Fowlerville, Michigan
 Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School, Ontario
 New York Public School 199, New York, New York
32
How Much Savings Can
Design Changes Create?
FOLS Proprietary Cost Model
developed by FOLS and Pearson
Technologies
Cost Model Background & History
•
Aug 2000 – Tolly Group white paper “Migrating to Fiber –
The Case for Centralized Cabling”

•
2001 – First version of Fiber Optic LAN Section (FOLS)
cost model


•
Paper need more robust “interactive” backup model
Focused on SFF connectors, and media converters
Implemented conclusions of Tolly study with “real world” scenarios.
April/May 2003 – Version 2 of cost model developed


Updated new lower cost fiber and copper switches and other
products
Doubled the number of scenarios
• Added very low cost and Zone configurations
•
Jan 2004 - Simplified Data Entry Developed
34
Distributed vs. Centralized vs.
Zone
•
Distributed



•
Centralized

•
Accommodates the 100-meter limit of UTP copper cable.
Necessitates media conversion in the telecommunications room.
Typically, consists of high-speed uplinks
Not bound by copper’s 100-meter limitation, nor do they require
media conversion from one physical medium to the other.
Zone




Combines the best of Centralized and Distributed
Small telecommunications enclosures
Use fiber for distance and bandwidth
Copper for short distance final connections
35
Cost Model Assumptions
TIA FOLS Fiber-Copper Cost Models
•
•
Hierarchical star UTP vs. centralized fiber
Building “model”



•
•
Fiber used in riser subsystem (both models)
Horizontal subsystem


•
8 story, 48 ports/floor
Costs calculated on “per port” basis
Port utilization
• Copper: 70%
• Fiber: 90%
UTP: Cat 5e or Cat6 UTP (depending on model)
Fiber: 62.5 or 50 µm multimode fiber
Telecommunications room


Copper TR: $20,000
Fiber TR: $4,500
36
Cost Model Assumptions
• Twenty-one page document details all parts of the model
• Updated as the cost model modifications are made.
37
Cost Model Assumptions (cont.)
Scenario 3: K-12
This scenario was developed in response to the growing need of K-12 schools to
upgrade their networks to support higher bandwidth applications. The K-12 scenario includes a
factor for maintenance labor that is not included in the other scenarios. This labor cost would be
required if TRs are installed within 100 m of the node. Such rooms would require a technician or
engineer on staff for troubleshooting and maintenance. This labor factor results in additional
savings since school administrators are unable to hire a technician for such maintenance. In the
model we have conservatively estimated 1 hour/week of maintenance time per TR.
UTP: The UTP model is the same model as in Scenario 1: the Cisco 3550 switch in the
TRs at list price. This switch is linked via fiber to a GBE switch in the MC.
FTTD: The fiber model uses a UTP patch cord to an 8-port mini switch. This switch has a
fiber link to a fiber switch in a CDF.
For budget-conscious school districts, using fiber can help them achieve significant
savings. Compared to an UTP-fiber network, FTTD reduces the cost by $521.24/ node or by
$200,160 for the complete network.
38
Cost Model Assumptions (cont.)
Scenario 4: Fiber-to-the-Zone
With one exception, the fiber-to-the-zone (FTTZ) scenario is identical to that in Scenario
3. The exception is the maintenance cost, which is excluded in this scenario to make it consistent
with all other scenarios (with the exception of Scenario 3, because that is how schools evaluate
FTTZ). This scenario is based on eight nodes connected by UTP to a locally installed switch. The
switch is located in a typical office environment and does not need environmental control. The
switch has a 100 Mb/s fiber uplink to a MC, which contains a main fiber switch. If multiple main
switches are needed, they would be linked via GBE over UTP, the best possible use of UTP!
FTTZ demonstrates a very cost effective way to bring the bandwidth capabilities of fiber
closer to the user. Compared to an UTP-fiber network, fiber-to-the-zone saves users $443.13/port
or $170,160 for the network.
39
40
Cost Model – Interactive
Cost model available at www.fols.org
41
42
Total loaded labor rate, $/hour
UTP switch port utilization
60
70%
number of ports in switch in wiring closet
48
fiber switch port utilization
number of wings
closet cost, @$/sq.ft=
LOCATION
90%
8
$
150
material
materials
UTP PLUS FIBER NETWORK
desktop UTP NIC
UTP jumper to wall plate
wall plate
jack
horizontal UTP cable
telecom patch panel in closet
room jack in patch panel
UTP jumper to switch
switch; Cisco 3550
conversion to fiber in hub; 1000Base SX
rack
A
cost, $
2995
288
100
labor
per node per node man-hrs
42.00
9.00
2.29
5.00
45.00
5.00
5.00
5.59
89.14
6.00
2.08
3Com managed 10/100 NIC
9.60
0.16
0.20
9.60
5.00
0.16
0.16
0.08
0.00
0.63
0.50
Data Warehouse
cost/port
216.10
25.03
0.00
9.60
sub total
cost/port
6.40
6.67
0.00
10.70
14.13
37.89
0.79
fiber jumper from switch to patch panel
fiber patch panel + enclosure
jack
2 fiber connectors + barrels in patch panel
vertical riser fiber cable
B
K-12 Scenario -- NEW
Prices from 6/2003
10.00
Data Warehouse
FIS 2003 catalog
0.16
0.17 FIS 2003 catalog
FIS 2003 catalog 24f/riser
19.60
0.41
43
telecom power and lighting. 5 years @ $1.50/sq ft/yr
room UPS
support technician support
temperature control
closet cost, 6x10
sub total
cost/port
C
MC duplex barrel in patch panel
2 fiber connectors + barrels in patch panel
fiber patch panel + enclosure
fiber jumper from switch to patch panel
fiber switch, GBE, 8 port; data warehouse
GBIC GBE module
UPS
grounding
$ 1,099
$
240
sub total
cost/port
D
A
B
C
D
450.00
1000.00
3750.00
10000.00
9000.00
24200.00
504.17
30.00
0.50
30000$/yr*5years*2.50 %/closet
30.00
0.63
0.00
10.70
6.67
11.60
137.38
240.00
2.50
10.00
9.60
0.00
406.34
8.47
22.10
0.46
0.04
0.17 FIS 2003 catalog
0.16
FIS2003catalog
16 port netgear GBE switch
estimate ext media conversion
SUB TOTALS
216.10
25.03
0.79
0.41
504.17
0.63
8.47
0.46
desktop to wiring closet
fiber in and to wiring closet
support costs
MC
GRAND TOTAL PER PORT
729.52
26.52
756.04
44
45
46
Total loaded labor rate, $/hour
UTP switch port utilization
60
70%
number of ports in switch in wiring closet
48
fiber switch port utilization
number of wings
closet cost, @$/sq.ft=
LOCATION
90%
8
$
150
material
materials
UTP PLUS FIBER NETWORK
desktop UTP NIC
UTP jumper to wall plate
wall plate
jack
horizontal UTP cable
telecom patch panel in closet
room jack in patch panel
UTP jumper to switch
switch; Cisco 3550
conversion to fiber in hub; 1000Base SX
rack
A
cost, $
2995
288
100
labor
per node per node man-hrs
42.00
9.00
2.29
5.00
45.00
5.00
5.00
5.59
89.14
6.00
2.08
3Com managed 10/100 NIC
9.60
0.16
0.20
9.60
5.00
0.16
0.16
0.08
0.00
0.63
0.50
Data Warehouse
cost/port
216.10
25.03
0.00
9.60
sub total
cost/port
6.40
6.67
0.00
10.70
14.13
37.89
0.79
fiber jumper from switch to patch panel
fiber patch panel + enclosure
jack
2 fiber connectors + barrels in patch panel
vertical riser fiber cable
B
K-12 Scenario -- NEW
Prices from 6/2003
10.00
Data Warehouse
FIS 2003 catalog
0.16
0.17 FIS 2003 catalog
FIS 2003 catalog 24f/riser
19.60
0.41
47
60
70%
Total loaded labor rate, $/hour
UTP switch port utilization
96
number of ports in switch in wiring closet
90%
1
$
materials
material
fiber switch port utilization
number of wings
closet cost, @$/sq.ft=
UTP PLUS FIBER NETWORK
LOCATION
desktop UTP NIC
UTP jumper to wall plate
wall plate
jack
horizontal UTP cable
telecom patch panel in closet
room jack in patch panel
UTP jumper to switch
switch; Cisco 3550
conversion to fiber in hub; 1000Base SX
rack
A
labor
per node per node man-hrs
3Com managed 10/100 NIC
0.00
9.00
2.29
0.16
9.60
5.00
Data Warehouse
45.00
0.16
0.10
5.00
0.16
9.60
5.00
0.08
5.00
5.59
44.57
2995
Data Warehouse
0.00
3.00
288
0.50
0.31
1.04
100
cost, $
cost/port
125.49
24.61
0.00
9.60
sub total
cost/port
6.40
6.67
0.00
10.70
14.13
37.89
0.39
fiber jumper from switch to patch panel
fiber patch panel + enclosure
jack
2 fiber connectors + barrels in patch panel
vertical riser fiber cable
B
K-12 Scenario -- NEW
Prices from 6/2003
10.00
FIS 2003 catalog
0.16
0.17 FIS 2003 catalog
FIS 2003 catalog 24f/riser
19.60
0.20
48
telecom power and lighting. 5 years @ $1.50/sq ft/yr
room UPS
support technician support
temperature control
closet cost, 6x10
sub total
cost/port
C
MC duplex barrel in patch panel
2 fiber connectors + barrels in patch panel
fiber patch panel + enclosure
fiber jumper from switch to patch panel
fiber switch, GBE, 8 port; data warehouse
GBIC GBE module
UPS
grounding
$ 1,099
$
240
sub total
cost/port
D
A
B
C
D
450.00
1000.00
3750.00
10000.00
9000.00
24200.00
504.17
30.00
0.50
30000$/yr*5years*2.50 %/closet
30.00
0.63
0.00
10.70
6.67
11.60
137.38
240.00
2.50
10.00
9.60
0.00
406.34
8.47
22.10
0.46
0.04
0.17 FIS 2003 catalog
0.16
FIS2003catalog
16 port netgear GBE switch
estimate ext media conversion
SUB TOTALS
216.10
25.03
0.79
0.41
504.17
0.63
8.47
0.46
desktop to wiring closet
fiber in and to wiring closet
support costs
MC
GRAND TOTAL PER PORT
729.52
26.52
756.04
49
telecom power and lighting. 5 years @ $1.50/sq ft/yr
room UPS
support technician support
temperature control
closet cost, 6x10
sub total
cost/port
C
MC duplex barrel in patch panel
2 fiber connectors + barrels in patch panel
fiber patch panel + enclosure
fiber jumper from switch to patch panel
fiber switch, GBE, 8 port; data warehouse
GBIC GBE module
UPS
grounding
$ 1,099
$
240
sub total
cost/port
D
A
B
C
D
450.00
1000.00
3750.00
1000.00
0.00
6200.00
64.58
30.00
0.50
30000$/yr*5years*2.50 %/closet
30.00
0.31
0.00
10.70
6.67
11.60
1099.00
240.00
2.50
10.00
9.60
0.00
1367.97
14.25
22.10
0.23
0.04
0.17 FIS 2003 catalog
0.16
FIS2003catalog
16 port netgear GBE switch
estimate ext media conversion
SUB TOTALS
125.49
24.61
0.39
0.20
64.58
0.31
14.25
0.23
desktop to wiring closet
fiber in and to wiring closet
support costs
MC
GRAND TOTAL PER PORT
204.72
25.36
230.08
50
I duplex jack in patch panel
fiber patch panel
fiber jumper from switch to patch panel
switch; 48 port VOL-5000NA
gigabit uplink to other switches
UPS
grounding
sub total
cost/port
D
A
B
C
D
0.83
1.28
1.58
26.89
10.00
10.00
30.57
30.57
20.00
20.00
SUB TOTALS
54.38
1.05
0.00
30.57
desktop to wiring closet
fiber in and to wiring closet
support costs
MC
86.00
GRAND TOTAL PER PORT
amp
0.17 FIS, p. 72 2003 catalog
0.17 FIS, p. 72 2003 catalog
FIS, p. 72 2003 catalog
9292 80 % list price
included in cell L44
35.00
0.00
20.00
55.01
141.01
Fiber is the lowest cost solution.
-89.07 $/port
-8551 $, total Users save $89.07/port
-8551
If additional costs of closets on each floor = this value:
then the two networks have the same cost
FTTD $-UTP $=
51
Summary
How Fiber Can Save Money In K-12 Schools
•
Use Zone architecture concepts
– Decrease the number of wiring closets
– Cover long run distances to classrooms over 100m away
– Enable network managers to use inexpensive switches as media
converters
– Easier to manage
– High bandwidth applications or for use supporting PC labs.
52
53