With cheaper bandwidth and greater robustness, optical networking components are looking increasingly tempting--perhaps even mandatory for maintaining your network's competitiveness. In "Deploying Optical Networking Components, veteran communications consultant Gil Held utilizes language and terms already familiar to network managers -- without overwhelming you with optical science -- to help you:

* Understand the role of LEDs, lasers, single mode and multimode optical fiber and couplers and amplifiers
* Bridge the divide between conventional systems and optical upgrades
* Relate optical technologies to existing networks
* Evaluate optical components in the context of your existing infrastructure
* Apply practical integration and migration techniques in LANs, WANs, and other infrastructure
* Familiarize yourself with technical changes in performance measurement, system management, switching technology, support requirements, and other key challenges