CapEx & OpEx Applied to Optical vs Copper LANs

Optical LAN (OLAN) utilizing optical network technology is well positioned to deliver cost effective, low energy, small form-factor infrastructure that directly impacts high-performance, eco-friendly building initiatives.

Whether your organization favors CapEx or OpEx accounting for its technology investments, OLAN comes out on top over the copper-based LAN alternative in terms of cost savings. In terms of equipment savings alone, the differences are quite compelling…

Equipment CapEx savings

OLAN has enjoyed up to 70% CapEx savings when compared to the copper-based alternative. Not all configurations result it such large savings, but at the simplest level it is intuitive that with less electronics in the network, there is less equipment to purchase.

Other factors that expand on the benefits of OLAN are the fact that it achieves 99.999% reliability. For an Ethernet LAN to achieve 99.999% availability, the network design would require fully meshed, fully redundant electronics at core, aggregation, access and even redundant NICs at workstations.

Equipment OpEx savings

Once again, less equipment to purchase means less electronics to maintain, but it also means less reoccurring annual right-to-use and service support agreements to purchase. Often these yearly support fees can be as much as 80% higher than the comparable fee associated with an OLAN solution.

Centralized control through the Element Management System, instead of accessing network elements locally through the craft user interfaces, is the major contributor to lower OpEx. Instead of many IT support personnel fanning out to manage nodes spread across the building, OLAN emphasizes centralized management through an intuitive graphical user interface. IT personnel with limited human resources and juggling constant time constraints will benefit from this efficient means of provisioning endpoints and administering software upgrades.

LEED certified buildings are designed to lower operating costs and increase asset value, reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy and water, be healthier and safer for occupants and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Often LEED certified buildings qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives.

Accounting methods aside, OLAN offers positive impacts on LEED certification by directly contributing to energy savings, indirect lowering of thermal loads for HVAC, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, lowering operating costs, increasing asset value, and minimizing waste sent to landfills.

We Make Cabling Easy

Our BICSI trained and certified installers and technicians ensure your OLAN cabling project is implemented on time, fully tested, and ready to perform.

Get started today… Contact NET100 to discuss your OLAN cabling plans:
(703) 995-5200 | info@net100ltd.com