Cisco 2950G 24 - Catalyst Switch Software Configuration Manual page 52

Chapter 1 Overview
Network Configuration Examples
Long-Distance, High-Bandwidth Transport Configuration
Note To use the feature described in this section, you must have the EI installed on your Catalyst 2950 switch.
This feature does not apply to the Catalyst 2950 LRE switches.
Figure 1-7 shows a configuration for transporting Gigabits of data from one location to an off-site
backup facility over a single fiber-optic cable. The Catalyst switches have Coarse Wave Division
Multiplexer (CWDM) fiber-optic GBIC modules installed. The CWDM GBIC modules can connect to
distances of up to 393,701 feet (74.5 miles or 120 kilometers). Depending on the CWDM GBIC module,
data is sent at wavelengths from 1470 to 1610 nanometers (nm). The higher the wavelength, the farther
the transmission can travel. A common wavelength for long-distance transmissions is 1550 nm.
Up to eight CWDM GBIC modules, with any combination of wavelengths, can connect to a Cisco
CWDM Passive Optical System. It combines (or multiplexes) the different CWDM wavelengths,
allowing them to travel simultaneously on the same fiber-optic cable. The Cisco CWDM Passive Optical
System on the receiving end separates (or demultiplexes) the different wavelengths.
Using CWDM technology with the switches translates to farther data transmission and an increased
bandwidth capacity (up to 8 Gbps) on a single fiber-optic cable.
For more information about the CWDM GBIC modules and CWDM Passive Optical System, refer to the
CWDM Passive Optical System Installation Note.
Figure 1-7 Long-Distance, High-Bandwidth Transport Configuration
8 Gbps
CWDM CWDM
OADM OADM
Catalyst 4000
modules modules
Eight
multilayer
1-Gbps
switches
connections
Aggregation layer
Catalyst 2900 XL,
Catalyst 2950,
Catalyst 3500 XL, and
Catalyst 3550 switches
Access layer
Catalyst 2950 Desktop Switch Software Configuration Guide
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