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ISEC experts engineer
new networking solution
By Adrienne Dorman, ISEC
Copper cabling is about to meet its thinner, younger, fiber counterpart—a
shift in networking trends that may provide significant cost savings. The
U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command is adding Gigabit
Passive Optical Network, or GPON, to traditionally copper-based networks.
This technology has already made an impact in private industry and is now
being implemented at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., as a proof of concept program.
In a recent Department of the Army directive for network modernization,
the Army Chief Information Officer/G6 pointed out that GPON technology
can reduce costs by up to 60 percent in network devices, and shortens the
length of time necessary to modernize networks.
“It’s almost completely driven by cost,” said David Premeaux, GPON
project lead and ISEC’s networking critical skill expert.
GPON has become an attractive solution because it generates cost savings
in terms of reduced equipment requirements and lower maintenance and
environmental costs.
Yet saving money is only one projected benefit of the GPON
implementation. Albert Rivera, ISEC technical director, has broader hopes
for GPON.
“Fort Huachuca is our first implementation of this technology and we have
a tremendous learning opportunity,” he said.
The results have particular importance as ISEC looks toward deploying
GPON at other locations.
“The PM I3MP [Project Manager, Installation Information Infrastructure
Modernization Program] wants to start looking at GPON for the Army’s
post, camps, and stations,” said Rivera.
The implementation at Fort Huachuca will allow ISEC to expand its areas of
expertise and support across other projects.
“GPON is another tool in our toolbox,” Rivera said. “Based on our
customer’s requirements, ISEC will develop a solution, and GPON will
certainly be a consideration.”
42 THE LINK | SPRING 2013