I not only agree with these guys but I can give you an example.. One upon a time in a job a long long time ago, I worked on a data differential passing system based on Frequency Multiplexed microwave signaling to send information up to 1000 feet. We had a special interface on both ends, and a ground potential leveling circuit. The coax was very similiar to what is used for a DS3. In addition to the "data" coax we also ran a "grounding" strap. A number of times in the service of this equipment we had lightning strikes, power surges, and grounding failures. Everytime we had one of these events, there were major system failures. Now this system was quite a bit more expensive than a DS3 mux, and as I recall, none of our failures were under a solid 5 figure level. We finally retired this old animal in 1993 after 21 years of faithful headches. Thank you Uncle Sam..... That is a different story... It was replaced with a fiber system and a backup high-freq RF system. So with that thought of nostalga, I would defiantely go with a fiber link. Even if you have to put a DS3 router on the COLO side of the park and run Ethernet fiber across the parking lot..... If you do this, it will be a much better idea. and much more expanable. DS3 to a router- 100 Meg fiber... This will even allow some monitoring for errors across the pipe... Anyway... Jim

-----Original Message----- From: David Lesher [mailto:wb8foz@nrk.com] Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2003 9:20 PM To: nanog list Subject: Re: DS3 Coax..

Speaking on Deep Background, the Press Secretary whispered:

...

Definately.

You most emphatically do NOT want copper going across your

...

Besides the danger from lightning strikes and other electrostatic discharges you run the risk of ground potentials differing significantly. You could wind up with a significant amount of current flowing across

parking lot. the coax just to

...

balance building grounds. (This is why telcos insist on a single ground point and have that point connected to an array of ground rods driven deep in the ground.)

Agreed.

Fiber is Your Friend [tm].

Ground loops and potential differences will not only have you ripping your hair out, but you stand to lose DS-3 ports. Now some guy told me that such costs a bit more than the RS-232 & Ethernet ports I regularly see die, but that's likely just a rumor.

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