Well, I'm not an expert in the world of long haul optics, but I think I'd want active over passive for the ability to use standard interfaces on the equipment (routers, switches, etc.) at either end. Then again, maybe something has changed that I don't know about. I would also think active would be better able to go those 185 mile distances than passive. I assume I'd need an amplifier in the middle to even make it that far. ----- Mike Hammett Intelligent Computing Solutions http://www.ics-il.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kenneth McRae" <kenneth.mcrae@me.com> To: "Mike Hammett" <nanog@ics-il.net> Cc: "NANOG" <nanog@nanog.org> Sent: Saturday, February 7, 2015 12:17:35 PM Subject: Re: Low cost WDM gear Are you looking for an active or passive solution? On Feb 07, 2015, at 10:06 AM, Mike Hammett <nanog@ics-il.net> wrote: One particular route I'm looking at is 185 miles, so of the options presented 300 km is closest. ;-) ----- Mike Hammett Intelligent Computing Solutions http://www.ics-il.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Morrow" < morrowc.lists@gmail.com > To: "Kenneth McRae" < kenneth.mcrae@me.com > Cc: "NANOG" < nanog@nanog.org > Sent: Saturday, February 7, 2015 12:02:11 PM Subject: Re: Low cost WDM gear would be good for mike to define 'long distances' here, is it: 2km 30km 300km 3000km Probably the 30-60k range is what you mean by 'long distances' but... clarity might help. On Sat, Feb 7, 2015 at 12:55 PM, Kenneth McRae < kenneth.mcrae@me.com > wrote: <blockquote> Mike, <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> I just replaced a bunch of FiberStore WDM passive muxes with OSI Hardware </blockquote> <blockquote> equipment. The FiberStore gear was a huge disappointment (excessive loss, </blockquote> <blockquote> poor technical support, refusal to issue refund without threatening legal </blockquote> <blockquote> action, etc.). I have had good results from the OSI equipment so far. I </blockquote> <blockquote> run passive muxes for CWDM (8 - 16 channels). </blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> On Feb 07, 2015, at 09:51 AM, Manuel Marín < mmg@transtelco.net > wrote: </blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> Hi Mike </blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> I can recommend a couple of vendors that provide cost effective solutions. </blockquote> <blockquote> Ekinops & Packetlight. </blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> On Saturday, February 7, 2015, Mike Hammett < nanog@ics-il.net > wrote: </blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> I know there are various Asian vendors for low cost (less than $500) muxes </blockquote> <blockquote> to throw 16 or however many colors onto a strand. However, they don't work </blockquote> <blockquote> so well when you don't control the optics used on both sides (therefore </blockquote> <blockquote> must use standard wavelengths), obviously only do a handful of channels and </blockquote> <blockquote> have a distance limitation. </blockquote> <blockquote> What solutions are out there that don't cost an arm and a leg? </blockquote> <blockquote> ----- </blockquote> <blockquote> Mike Hammett </blockquote> <blockquote> Intelligent Computing Solutions </blockquote> <blockquote> http://www.ics-il.com </blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> -- </blockquote> <blockquote> TRANSTELCO| Manuel Marin | VP Engineering | US: *+1 915-217-2232* | MX: *+52 </blockquote> <blockquote> 656-257-1109* </blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication is intended only for the use </blockquote> <blockquote> of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain </blockquote> <blockquote> information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure </blockquote> <blockquote> under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient of this </blockquote> <blockquote> information, you are notified that any use, dissemination, distribution, or </blockquote> <blockquote> copying of the communication is strictly prohibited. </blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote> AVISO DE CONFIDENCIALIDAD: Esta comunicación es sólo para el uso de la </blockquote> <blockquote> persona o entidad a la que se dirige y puede contener información </blockquote> <blockquote> privilegiada, confidencial y exenta de divulgación bajo la legislación </blockquote> <blockquote> aplicable. Si no es el destinatario de esta información, se le notifica que </blockquote> <blockquote> cualquier uso, difusión, distribución o copia de la comunicación está </blockquote> <blockquote> estrictamente prohibido. </blockquote> </blockquote>