Communications Services designs and constructs additions to the campus fiber optic network as part of both renovations and new building construction. In addition, the Office of Information Technology funds specific fiber optic cable segments based on the expansion of the campus Next Generation Network.
The campus fiber cable plant is built on building-to-building cable segments which are jumpered or spliced in buildings to form the required fiber point-to-point circuit. Fiber segment configuration has evolved over the 15 years of cable placement, and cable segments are composed of varying counts of multi-mode or multi-mode and single-mode fibers.
The fiber optic network is available for campus use without recurring costs. The one-time cost of fiber allocation, attachment, and testing is charged to work orders from campus departments requesting fiber usage.
It should be noted that the fiber optic cable plant is an "unsupported" service; that is, construction, maintenance, and repair are only available on a time and materials basis. Customers using the fiber optic cable plant should evaluate their need for spare components (e.g., fiber patch cables) and for response time for repair of fiber cable.
Documentation of the fiber cable plant, including routes, composition of segments, measurements, test results and proposed expansion, is maintained by the Engineering Group of Communications Services.
DCC