An Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) uses an aggregation device called an optical line terminal (OLT). An OLT can support a MINIMUM of______subscribers per port using a passive optical splitter

The correct answer is B. 16. Option B (16) is correct because the IEEE 802.3ah standard defines EPON to support a minimum of 1:16 passive optical splitting per OLT port, meaning each port serves at least 16 subscribers (ONUs) simultaneously over shared fiber. Why the distractors are wrong: A (8) is below…

Structured Cabling Systems (Copper and Optical Fiber)

Question

Options

How the community answered

(30 responses)

A
13% (4)
B
77% (23)
C
7% (2)
D
3% (1)

Explanation

Option B (16) is correct because the IEEE 802.3ah standard defines EPON to support a minimum of 1:16 passive optical splitting per OLT port, meaning each port serves at least 16 subscribers (ONUs) simultaneously over shared fiber.

Why the distractors are wrong:

A (8) is below the EPON standard's defined minimum split ratio - while 1:8 splitters exist in optical networking, they don't meet EPON's minimum requirement per OLT port.
C (32) and D (64) are valid EPON splitting ratios, but they represent higher configurations beyond the minimum - making them technically possible but incorrect answers to "minimum."

Memory tip: Think "Sweet 16 is the floor" - EPON starts at 16 subscribers per port and scales up to 32 or 64. The question asks for the floor, not the ceiling.

Topics

#EPON#OLT#Passive Optical Splitter#Subscriber Capacity

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