OTDR data storage and retrieval
OTDR data storage and retrieval
A method, system, and medium are provided for OTDR(manufactured by otdr manufacturer) Data storage and retrieval in a networking environment. The method includes receiving an OTDR trace file in its native format that includes OTDR information, storing the trace file, receiving a request to present the OTDR information in a browser or some other interface, identifying a viewer that can render the OTDR information.
Fusion splicer cables are common in a telecommunications network. Light reflects within the cable to transmit data. If the light is not reflecting properly, data-transmissions may be adversely affected. An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)device can be used to troubleshoot a communications link such as a fiber-optic cable. The OTDR measures the elapsed time and intensity of light reflected on an optical fiber. The reflectometer can--by itself or in connection with other tools--computethe distance to problems on the fiber. Exemplary problems include excessive attenuation and line breaks.
An OTDR device generates OTDR data. The OTDR device is applied to a desired communications link to produce a trace file. This trace file contains data relating to the optical fiber's performance. The format of the trace file varies acrossfusion splicer manufacturer. File formats are typically designated by an extension. By way of comparative example, a .TXT file--a file having a .TXT extension--is a text file and a .DOC file is a word-processing file natively associated with MS WORD.RTM. offered by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. A first native OTDR file format is SOR and is associated with Telcordia Technologies, Inc. of Morristown, N.J. Alternative native Fiber Testing Instrument file formats include .WFM and .CFF, which are associated with devices madeby Tektronix, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg. as well as .PSF, which are associated with devices made by Photon Kinetics, Inc of Beaverton, Oreg.
For any number of reasons, a carrier may wish to use OTDR devices produced by different vendors: some products are higher quality, some are less expensive, etc. Enabling a carrier or any entity to be able to store, retrieve, and manipulate datain an OTDR-device-independent environment is desirable. The current state of the art can be improved upon by providing a method and system that eliminates the need for custom data extraction by at least allowing native otdr manufacturer trace files to be stored intheir native format while maintaining the ability to subsequently view data stored within the trace files.
A method, system, and medium are provided for OTDR(manufactured by otdr manufacturer) Data storage and retrieval in a networking environment. The method includes receiving an OTDR trace file in its native format that includes OTDR information, storing the trace file, receiving a request to present the OTDR information in a browser or some other interface, identifying a viewer that can render the OTDR information.
Fusion splicer cables are common in a telecommunications network. Light reflects within the cable to transmit data. If the light is not reflecting properly, data-transmissions may be adversely affected. An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)device can be used to troubleshoot a communications link such as a fiber-optic cable. The OTDR measures the elapsed time and intensity of light reflected on an optical fiber. The reflectometer can--by itself or in connection with other tools--computethe distance to problems on the fiber. Exemplary problems include excessive attenuation and line breaks.
An OTDR device generates OTDR data. The OTDR device is applied to a desired communications link to produce a trace file. This trace file contains data relating to the optical fiber's performance. The format of the trace file varies acrossfusion splicer manufacturer. File formats are typically designated by an extension. By way of comparative example, a .TXT file--a file having a .TXT extension--is a text file and a .DOC file is a word-processing file natively associated with MS WORD.RTM. offered by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. A first native OTDR file format is SOR and is associated with Telcordia Technologies, Inc. of Morristown, N.J. Alternative native Fiber Testing Instrument file formats include .WFM and .CFF, which are associated with devices madeby Tektronix, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg. as well as .PSF, which are associated with devices made by Photon Kinetics, Inc of Beaverton, Oreg.
For any number of reasons, a carrier may wish to use OTDR devices produced by different vendors: some products are higher quality, some are less expensive, etc. Enabling a carrier or any entity to be able to store, retrieve, and manipulate datain an OTDR-device-independent environment is desirable. The current state of the art can be improved upon by providing a method and system that eliminates the need for custom data extraction by at least allowing native otdr manufacturer trace files to be stored intheir native format while maintaining the ability to subsequently view data stored within the trace files.