Metropolitan Area Network (M.A.N.)

A M.A.N. (Metropolitan Area Network) interconnects computers in a region larger than that covered by a large local area network (L.A.N.) but smaller than a wide area network (W.A.N.).

The term is applied to the interconnection of networks in a city into a single larger network (which may then also offer efficient connection to a W.A.N.).

It is also used to mean the interconnection of several L.A.N.s by bridging them with backbone lines. The latter is also sometimes referred to as a campus network.

A Customer example

A 43 km fibre-optic ring had to be installed around a city in Netherlands in 2002. The backbone of the system was a previously installed 40mm duct network. The first part of the installation was to arrange the ducts in order that they were independent of the other duct networks. The customer wanted this duct to be fully flexible for the future and wanted the ability to install high fibre counts in the future, so chose to fill the duct with empty 10/8mm tubes. It was possible to install five of these tubes into the 40/33 duct by blowing.

Solution for the customer

The customer chose for a M.A.N. application and deployed 5 individual micro ducts.

Initially 5 tubes around the 43km ring were installed and one 48 fibre cable into the ring to act as the backbone.

The remaining tubes will permit upgrading the system in the future. All 5 tubes were blown into the 40/33 duct at the same time using specialised blowing equipment.

Customer gained these advantages:

Low initial investment in infrastructure
Easy upgrade to other fibre types (with minimum customer interruption)
Branch-Out capability without splicing (48 fibres / branch)
High fibre count / duct (minimum 240 fibres)
48 fibres/tube (easily manageable)
Cables can be blown out and replaced (easy repair)
Separate customers can have independent
networks in same duct space.

Conclusion

This product map described the deployment of fibreflow for a M.A.N. The customer was aware of the importance of a flexible and futureproof fibre optic infrastructure, and therefore chose to install fibreflow.