The iConverter Multi-Service Platform  is diverse product family of LAN and WAN fiber network connectivity products with a comprehensive management system that monitors network performance, enables remote configuration and provisioning, and provides fault notification status.

• Remote configuration/provisioning reduces trips to edge equipment and accelerates service deployments
• Performance monitoring enables Service Level Agreements and provides warnings on potential problems
• Fault management proactively monitors for network problems and quickly isolates network faults
• Intuitive software interface simplifies provisioning of complex networks and services

Fiber Connectivity and Network Management Products

Managed Campus LAN Star Network Application Example

This application example illustrates how iConverter management modules and SNMP management software enables managed gigabit Ethernet in a copper and fiber campus fiber network with VLAN segregation of departmental data.

At Building A in the upper left, three UTP links from a gigabit copper switch are converted to three fiber links with an iConverter 19-Module Chassis of GX/TM2 gigabit media converter modules. The GX/TM2 modules (also referred to as Network Interface Devices, or NIDs) feature integrated management.  The third-party copper gigabit switch is also connected to servers for different departments in the campus network. An iConverter NMM2 Network Management Module is also installed in the chassis and is connected to a Network Management Station (NMS) that is running NetOutlook SNMP Management Software. The iConverter network management system provides comprehensive trouble-shooting, performance monitoring and remote hardware configuration of the network.

The fiber links from Building A run to other buildings, where the fiber at each location is converted back to copper and distributed to end users at different departments.

At Building B, a 1000Mbps fiber link connects to an iConverter GX/TM2 installed in an iConverter 2-Module Chassis with an iConverter 4GT 4-port switch module. This compact chassis configuration functions as a managed switch with a fiber uplink and five managed 10/100/1000 UTP ports that connect to multiple workstations and/or department switches.

At Building C and Building D, the fiber links are connected to standalone iConverter GX/TM2 NIDs that provide media conversion and connectivity to Ethernet switches in the buildings.

Each server and the Service Provider internet access is segmented with VLANs and delivered to different switches and workstations in the campus with the iConverter equipment and management software. VLAN tables are easily configured and duplicated with NetOutlook SNMP management software.

Note that 10/100M2 NIDs and 4Tx VT switch modules can be used for 10/100 network deployments.

Management Capabilities

iConverter GX/TM2 and 10/100M2 media converters feature integrated SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, SNMPv3 and IP-less 802.3ah management that supports a variety of advanced network management capabilities.

• 802.3ah Link OAM for early fault detection and performance monitoring
• VLAN with 802.1ad Q-in-Q for segmenting network data
• Quality of Service for prioritizing Voice/Data/Video traffic
• Bandwidth control (rate limiting) with 64Kb increments
• Port MIB statistics and optical performance statistics
• Port Access Control that enables remote disabling of port access for enhanced security
• Configurable Link Fault Propagation modes for advanced fault detection and isolation

IP-Less Management

The combination of iConverter NMM2 Network Management Module and GX/TM2 and 10/100M2 media converters with integrated management improves network security by providing IP-less management of the network. This configuration isolates one IP address at the network core that can manage up to 18 remote IP-less standalone GX/TM2 or 10/100M2 converters at the network edge.

IP-less management provides the Network Administrator two important benefits. First, it allows management of a large number of individual media converters and chassis through one IP address, and second, it provides an added level of security for the management channel that is not affected by end-user actions or traffic on the system. The IP address is isolated to a physically secure management station at the network core, and does not exist on the fiber link or on the media converters at the network edge. Secure IP-less management reduces the risk of unauthorized access to the IP address, and prevents malicious attacks on the network.