The difference between ONU light cats and ordinary light cats

The main difference between ONU light cats and regular light cats lies in their application scenarios and designs. The following are the main differences between them:

Application scenario:

Optical modem (ONT) is commonly used for dedicated data access for large clients and can be understood as a large desktop ONU. Light cats can be divided into card type and desktop type. Card type is generally placed in the computer room, while desktop type is generally placed on the client side.

ONU (Optical Network Unit) is mainly used for broadband ground network access. The lower end of the ONU connects to the user, while the upper end of the optical modem connects to the optical path and the lower end connects to the user.

Number of ports:

Light cats typically have 1-4 Ethernet ports, while ONUs have multiple ports, with common configurations ranging from 8 to 24 ports.

Fiber optic resources:

The design of the ONU allows multiple ONUs to be connected to the OLT (optical router) through a pair of fibers, saving fiber resources.

Light cats occupy a pair of optical fibers, while multiple ONUs from OLT to the client only occupy one pair of optical fibers, and there is a process of light splitting between them.

Cost considerations:

The cost of light cats is relatively low, with a pair of light cats priced around a few hundred yuan.

Choosing between using optical modem or ONU requires a comprehensive analysis based on cost and specific circumstances.

In summary, the main differences between ONU optical cats and regular optical cats lie in their size, number of ports, utilization of fiber resources, and cost considerations. ONU is usually used for broadband local network access, while optical modem is used for dedicated data access for major clients.