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AON

AON is the Acronym for Active Optical Network

A fiber access architecture that places powered network equipment such as Ethernet switches or routers between the exchange and the subscriber, typically giving each customer a dedicated fiber path. It is the architectural counterpoint to the Passive Optical Network (PON), which shares unpowered fiber among dozens of homes.

How AON Works

AON (Active Optical Network) uses powered network equipment to create dedicated fiber paths for each subscriber. This setup contrasts with PON (Passive Optical Network), which uses unpowered optical splitters to share fiber among multiple users.

  • Capacity: AON provides dedicated capacity per subscriber, ensuring higher bandwidth and performance.
  • Field Equipment: AON requires powered switches in cabinets, while PON uses unpowered optical splitters.
  • Cost: AON has a higher cost per subscriber due to the need for more fiber, power, and space.
  • Troubleshooting: AON offers per-port visibility and simpler isolation, making it easier to diagnose and fix issues.

AON vs. PON

AON and PON differ significantly in their architecture and use cases.

  • Capacity: AON provides dedicated capacity, while PON shares capacity among users on the same fiber branch.
  • Field Equipment: AON uses powered switches, while PON uses unpowered optical splitters.
  • Cost: AON is more expensive per subscriber, while PON is more cost-effective for mass-market deployment.
  • Troubleshooting: AON allows for easier troubleshooting with per-port visibility, while PON requires shared-medium diagnostics.

Typical Use Cases

AON is particularly suited for scenarios requiring dedicated, high-capacity connections.

  • Enterprise Services: AON is ideal for business services that require hard SLAs (Service Level Agreements).
  • Mobile Backhaul: AON provides the dedicated capacity needed for mobile network backhaul.
  • Municipal Networks: AON is used in open-access municipal networks, such as those in Sweden and the Netherlands, where per-customer ports allow multiple retail providers to share one physical network.

Why PON Won Residential

Despite the advantages of AON, PON has become the preferred choice for residential fiber deployments due to its cost-effectiveness.

  • Cost Savings: PON eliminates the need for powered cabinets, electricity, cooling, batteries, and maintenance visits, significantly reducing costs.
  • Scalability: PON’s passive splitters allow for easy scaling across thousands of neighborhoods, making it more economical for mass-market fiber deployments.