Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1043933
November/December 2018 I 51 functionality adds dynamic provisioning, interference correction, load balancing and coverage optimization as is required in a true enterprise deployment. There are also synergies between POL, distributed antenna systems (DAS), small cell, future 5G cellular readiness and fiber optic cabling as illustrated in Figure 3. The cellular traffic does not necessarily traverse the POL equipment, but it can leverage the same fiber infrastructure that POL utilizes. Indoor enterprise cellular networks have a challenging return-on- investment (ROI) analysis. They are relatively expensive, perform only one function, and end customers believe they should not have to pay for them. Conversely, POL has an excellent ROI that can justify the deployment of indoor cellular over existing fiber plant inside buildings and across a campus. Next-generation enterprise cellular network solutions are not going to be supported or their traffic backhauled over copper-based CATx cabling. Thus, investments in fiber optic cabling are protected relative to future demands of indoor enterprise cellular network advancements. It should be noted that the ONTs support IEEE standards for 802.3af PoE, 802.3at PoE+, and 802.3bt 4PPoE (PoE++) to power the Wi-Fi WAPs. The ONTs also provide powered device (PD) management, monitoring and configuration using link layer discovery protocol (LLDP). The ONT detects the actual power requirements of a PD and then adjusts the power allocation for that PoE port. There are also mechanisms for providing reports on power consumption so that ICT managers may adjust deployment configurations to low-power modes for devices like WAPs and IP phones. Internet of Things and Smart Buildings There is a recognized need to design and build a network infrastructure that supports thousands of digital services and connectivity. That same LAN also needs to have the flexibility to expand as thousands of additional gigabit Ethernet (Gbe) connections are added over time and as the sheer number of digital devices grows exponentially. This is the same problem faced by ICT professionals around the world as they prepare to support the network demands of smart/intelligent buildings and the inevitable impact of IoT. In a traditional network design, this rapid connection growth requires racking and stacking Ethernet switches in telecommuni- cations rooms (TRs) and running point-to-point copper cabling 100 meters to every connected device. Each time more electronic switches and copper cables are added, it negatively impacts energy, thermals, reliability, security, and especially environmental green programs. This is neither a sustainable business nor a sustainable green approach. POL architecture, on the other hand, is a simple, scalable, stable and secure fiber-based network architecture that is ideal to handle the digital transfor- FIGURE 3: An example of indoor enterprise cellular network over fiber with synergies with optical LAN architecture.