It's probably not a modem, but it may be encoding the bits with some
kind of forward error correction before flashing the laser. I imagine it
speaks Frame Relay or something and translates the Ethernet frames to a
synchronous protocol like DS3. Maybe it multiplexes the signal into a
DS3 with you and several other Utopia users. Whatever the case, it is
most likely not a modem.
--Dave
Zak Johnson wrote:
This is obviously very off the original topic, but it is interesting stuff.
The fiber connection through Utopia or IProvo enters a modem-like box, but
what is it doing if not encoding/decoding the data?
-Zak
Levi Pearson wrote:
Hans is correct; a DSL modem is a modem. A cable modem is also a
modem. Here's why: Modem stands for MODulate-DEModulate, and
modulation is the process of changing the frequency, amplitude, and
phase of an analog signal in order to encode a digital signal. Both
DSL and Cable internet are digital information carried through an
analog medium, so a modem is required on both ends. I believe ISDN,
on the other hand, is transmitted digitally, as are most network
protocols that go over twisted pair or fiber.
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