Not for basic xconnect, they use MEMS arrays (mirrors). You need power to change things and some do offer more advanced stuff like VOA, protection, etc requiring power.
Phil -----Original Message----- From: "Tom Hill" <t...@ninjabadger.net> Sent: 12/17/2014 5:30 AM To: "nanog@nanog.org" <nanog@nanog.org> Subject: Re: automatic / intelligent fiber optic patch panel (iow SDN @ layer0) On 15/12/14 12:17, Peter teStrake wrote: > Automated cross connects are one of the challenges they are looking > to address so it would be interesting to understand why this would > not work. Aren't all of these photonic switches active devices? i.e. Lose power and your light disappears. The robotic device linked earlier in the thread, specifically states that all you lose in the event of a power outage is the ability to make changes. -- Tom
