Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1192126
48 I ICT TODAY are replaced with passive equipment (i.e., splitters and panels) that do not consume energy and do not require maintenance. With POL, the OLT is the only active element that requires maintenance. The entire network can be easily managed from one central point (Figure 2). The passive optical LAN is currently based on the simultaneous support of 2.5 Gb/sec/1 Gb/sec G-PON, 10 Gb/sec/10 Gb/sec symmetrical XGS-PON and advanced IEEE Ethernet protocols. It is optimized for modern net- work connectivity inside buildings and across campuses, and it ensures maximum network reliability that is impera- tive for physicians and hospitals engaged in critical care over the network. Moreover, POL is a more defensible FIGURE 2: Passive optical LAN healthcare network design with 2 to 4 strands of optical fiber per room rather than the 12 to 24 Cat 6A cables per room associated with a copper-based design. Patient Rooms Patient Rooms Patient Rooms Operating Room Operating Room Nurse Call Station Waiting Room Radiology Main Data Center where the OLT is located network architecture for the greatest protection of patient electronic medical files and is a smart choice for hospital high-speed connectivity for patients, families, and admin- istrative and medical staff. Compared to copper-based cabling, optical fiber cabling provides many unique benefits, including higher capacity, reliability, resilience and data security. Consider the following overview of the benefits and capabilities of optical fiber and POL: Better Bandwidth Capacity Historically, copper cabling has not kept pace with the bandwidth demands of healthcare facilities. Over the past