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See also: PDF version | About GRUCom | GRUCom is a division of Gainesville Regional Utilities, a community owned
utility in North Central Florida that provides electric, natural gas, water,
wastewater, and telecommunications services. As a CLEC (Competitive Local
Exchange Carrier) certified by the Florida Public Service Commission, GRUCom
provides Gainesville and the surrounding areas with an alternative source of
telecommunications services. In the short time that GRUCom has been providing
telecommunications services to other telecommunications companies, the
business community, and the general public, they have expanded their network
to include over 170 route miles of fiber optic cable. By using the most
advanced telecommunications equipment available, they can provide a level of
quality and service usually associated with only the largest metropolitan
areas.
| Media Conversion | GRUCom was looking for the most cost-effective method to deliver these
services to their customers over fiber. Ed Ingersoll of GRUCom choose
Transition’s Network’s solution due to three benefits. First he
discovered that using the T1/E1 media converters in conjunction with his
copper-based equipment, provided the lowest cost solution. Secondly, he saw
ease of management by using a chassis based platform, which offered the
flexibility to mix different protocol-based converters in the same chassis
and by using a single slot chassis, he can use the same converters at both
the main and the remote locations. Thirdly, he liked the fact he could use
his 48 volt power source to power the chassis.
| Services Provided | GRUCom offers a wide variety of data services including private line
services with DS1, DS3, OC3, and OC12. They also offer Ethernet MAN services.
GRUCom Ethernet MAN service is sold as a connectionless bridged Ethernet for
exclusive use by the customer. They also offer dedicated Internet access
through GRUNet. With GRUNet, customers can connect their business to the
Internet at Fractional DS1, DS1, 10Mbps and DS3 speeds. GRUNet can also offer
Internet access service from 1.5Mbps to 10Mbps, setting the desired rate
through the Cisco equipment.
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| Media converters allow the
users to convert disparate media types and extend the distances of the
network. GRUCom connects a DS1 (T1) circuit to a media converter UTP port,
and then they connect their fiber run to the converter’s single-mode
fiber optic ports. The signal is driven up to 20km (12 miles) to the
customers location. (Note greater distances can be achieved with
higher-powered optics.) At the customer site the fiber is again connected to
a media converter, and a UTP assembly connects to the end-users equipment.
| Ethernet Services | GRUCom also utilizes media converters in deploying their Ethernet MAN
services. Once again the cost effectiveness of media conversion attracted
GRUCom to use it as the means to extend the data services to the customers
site. GRUCom utilizes Transition Networks Point System 18-slot chassis that
can hold either their T1 or Ethernet cards. At the customers location a
single slot chassis and slide in card are used to connect GRUCom’s
fiber to the customer’s equipment. Standalone converters are available,
but GRUCom takes advantage of the single slot chassis and slide in card to
better manage their inventory.
| Last Mile Application |
| Transition Networks | Transition Networks is the leader in media conversion technology offering a
wide array of products including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet (FX and SX), Gigabit
Ethernet, 10/100 rate converters, T1/E1, DS3, OC3, OC12, RS485, V.35, Token
Ring and more. Our Point System chassis provides users with manageability,
reliability, and future proofing. The Point System offers fully SNMP
compliant read/write software including web-based management. The chassis
also provides for redundant management, redundant power (AC or DC),
converters that can be upgraded in the field, and more. Please contact
Transition Networks at 800-526-9267 for more information and how we may be
able to help you deliver data services to your customers.
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