Gigaclear cabling

Does anybody know what exterior cabling and couplers gigaclear use by any chance? I want to re-site my modem and they do not respond to emails requesting help on this.

If I can get the cable with pre-terminated ends I can move it myself, but I don't know what I need.

Thanks.

Can you post a photo of both ends of whatever cable you're planning to replace?

https://www.fastinternetblog.uk/?p=348

Looks like SC/UPC connectors (blue) at the pot.

Can they not send you another self install kit with the pre-term cable you need?

Gigaclear use different technology at different sites.

What equipment do you have that is attached to the cable?

My notes say that I have a cable with the same SC/UPC connectors at each end and it is Cable: 509. The cable I have is 50m long.

The service is in Kent and first worked where I live in April 2015.

The router is a Genexis Hybrid Live Tkitatium - also DRGOS

Gigaclear had a kit for installing a cable that goes up the outside wall of the house, then turns 90 degrees to go strait in.

Where needed, I used P clips with screws to attach the cable to avoid accidently damaging the cable with a hammer.

When installed I could check the cable by shining a torch at one end and pointing the other end at my figure to see the light coming out.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

When installed I could check the cable by shining a torch at one end and pointing the other end at my figure to see the light coming out.

This is a standard testing tool: a red flashing laser that you shine down the fibre and watch where it flashes at the other end.
https://www.fs.com/uk/products/35388.html

In reply to a post by candlerb:

This is a standard testing tool: a red flashing laser that you shine down the fibre and watch where it flashes at the other end.
https://www.fs.com/uk/products/35388.html

I wonder if that finds faults that don't show up just using a torch?

I don't think the Gigaclear cabinet I am connected to was working when I installed my fibre connection. I have not tried shining a fibre connected to a cabinet at my finger to see if there is any visible light. If you can do that maybe the OP could just do that as his cabinet is presumably working,

Thanks for all the replies.

To hopefully reply to all;

I have the newer type of modem - I know the older style large modem/routers they used to supply as shown in that link, but they now supply a small white modem and two mesh wifi nodes.

I have repeatedly emailed gigaclear to ask if they could supply the cable, but have received two emails in about 4 months from them. Literally the worst customer service I have ever encountered; hence looking to source something myself.

I've also tried a number of suppliers, most of which didn't reply, one couldn't help, and the other has been very helpful and hopefully will be able to supply what I need.

I can post pics if somebody can explain how to do so - do I need to upload somewhere and post the links here? It looks the same as in the link shared, though, and is an SC connector as suggested.

Edited by Jaap_Stam (Thu 03-Mar-22 19:06:12)

Are you in Kent, not very far from Sevenoaks as that is the network I am connected to?

Are you able to see the plug on the end of the fibre cable and if so what colour is it?

You could try just ringing Gigaclear and asking what you need. If you want to buy a cable you will need to know the length. When I installed the last bit of my connection there was a choice of cable lengths.

You need the full name of the connector such as SC/UPC not just SC.

In my case the incoming end of the fibre is in a little box inside the Gigaclear Tub (like for a water stop cock/meter) on the edge of my property. You can open the little box and see the end of the cable going to your house. Again you can not the colour of the connector.

A light armoured 3mm SC/UPC simplex patch can be had for around £23 for a 50 metre length from FS plus £35 shipping from Shanghai warehouse, otherwise free shipping over £79 plus the dreaded.

Most of the uk wholesalers like Mills and Comtec will sort you out on an MoQ basis but won’t bother for odds and sods. So unless they have what you want as stock you’ll need to find a manufacturer like FS.

https://www.fs.com/uk/products/20745.html

(Edit. sorry Michael just tacked this on the end of your post, meant for the OP been a long day)

Edited by Pheasant (Fri 04-Mar-22 00:40:51)

I have not tried shining a fibre connected to a cabinet at my finger to see if there is any visible light.

There won’t be, the light isn’t in the visible spectrum. It can however still cause damage to your retina , so please take extra caution.

The suggested red light will prove continuity, but that’s about it. Also, depending on the fibre length, it can fade after a few K

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I have not tried shining a fibre connected to a cabinet at my finger to see if there is any visible light. If you can do that maybe the OP could just do that as his cabinet is presumably working,

No that won’t work as Zarjaz has noted.

Using test tools there are only two methods that would work

1. Using something like a Fluke FiberLert pen which will detect across a wide range of wavelengths including those used by Gigaclear in their P2P style network as well as PONs used by others.

2. Using a power meter. Something like this.

Otherwise you’d need a small switch with an SFP cage and use a BiDi pluggable (of the correct wavelengths) and check the physical link status from there.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

Otherwise you’d need a small switch with an SFP cage and use a BiDi pluggable (of the correct wavelengths) and check the physical link status from there.

I don't think that will detect general power emissions at that wavelength; I suspect it will only show the link as "up" if it can see modulated data that it understands. That is, if it's an ethernet SFP, it will only show link "up" if there is empty ethernet framing present - not GPON or anything else.

So I would rule that out.

However I don't think this really matters here. The OP has a working link, but wants to relocate it. If they break any fibres while relocating the link, they're not going to be able to fix it anyway.

The key things are:
1. The right type of connectors: assuming it's SC then check whether they are blue or green
2. It has to be single-mode (OS2) fibre

If you're putting in a fs.com order, I would recommend a fibre cleaning cassette; advance the tape and then swipe the connector end across it.
https://www.fs.com/uk/products/91449.html

Although really I'd recommend getting Gigaclear to do it all for you. Forget E-mail, and get on the phone.

DDM/DOM will report the power levels thorough a compatible switch.

Gigaclear are using an Ethernet link over a BiDi. Not sure the waves though.

Given the Gigaclear architecture is effectively LAN - point to point Ethernet - the evidence available online suggest they, as expected, use standard straight face (UPC) type SC (blue) connectors at both ends.

I’d be really surprised if they uses green APC types given there’s no need in this architecture, unlike PON.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

DDM/DOM will report the power levels thorough a compatible switch.

Gigaclear are using an Ethernet link over a BiDi. Not sure the waves though.

Lazy Sunday late afternoon here, so had a quick Google to see if I could find the optics that Gigaclear use on their base NTE (based on Michael C’s post)…

Looks like the Genexis point-to-point NTE gear is based on standard 1000BASE-BX-U (as per Ethernet 802.3 clauses 58/59 for bidirectional, upstream) optics which transmits @ 1310 nm and receives @ 1490 nm. Standard SC connector type with PC/UPC polish.

The downstream optics at the switch in their POP would of course have those waves reversed to form a matching downstream/upstream link.

On later gear they may have moved to smaller LC connectors at the NTE, but from what I can see it’s still SC at that end. Maybe the OP will be able to confirm the connector type in use.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

DDM/DOM will report the power levels thorough a compatible switch.

Gigaclear are using an Ethernet link over a BiDi. Not sure the waves though.

Lazy Sunday late afternoon here, so had a quick Google to see if I could find the optics that Gigaclear use on their base NTE (based on Michael C’s post)…

Looks like the Genexis point-to-point NTE gear is based on standard 1000BASE-BX-U (as per Ethernet 802.3 clauses 58/59 for bidirectional, upstream) optics which transmits @ 1310 nm and receives @ 1490 nm. Standard SC connector type with PC/UPC polish.

The downstream optics at the switch in their POP would of course have those waves reversed to form a matching downstream/upstream link.

On later gear they may have moved to smaller LC connectors at the NTE, but from what I can see it’s still SC at that end. Maybe the OP will be able to confirm the connector type in use.

Interesting thank you. How do Gigsclear communicate with my Genexis box to change its settings, such as to switch it out of bridge mode?

I don't know the specifics, but presume they will have a remote management interface into their Genexis NTE for any such OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) function as you describe.

Something like CWMP / TR-069
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-069

In reply to a post by jchamier:

Something like CWMP / TR-069
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-069

AFAICT When the Genexis box is in bridge mode it does not have a public IP address. So how are Gigaclear communications with it? Maybe a VLAN?

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

AFAICT When the Genexis box is in bridge mode it does not have a public IP address. So how are Gigaclear communications with it? Maybe a VLAN?

Could be, I think that is how the old VDSL Openreach modems were managed. (mostly for firmware)

Michael_Chare

It is highly likely to be a 'management' VLAN with the Genexis one endpoint and a management router the other. This is how practically all 'network' boxes are also managed.

It used to be great 'fun' remotely configuring things for the first time. Vendor or engineer sets up a configured box, plugs in all the connectors and powers up. Someone remotely configures the VLAN and waits in anticipation for some response. Either hey presto or S**t what's missing. Setting up a completely new node was always a roller coaster due to the number of boxes that had to be setup but the high when everything worked first time on a brand new implementation was huge.

Gigaclear will not supply unfortunately. I tried them again and got a snotty reply, finally.

I got some help from one supplier who quoted ~£100 for the 25m I need, which is more than I'd prefer to pay, frankly.

Thanks for the link. Do you think that would be suitable for outdoor use? I need to run it along one wall, around the corner, along another wall and then into the required room. I've found a few similar types but their suitability for outdoor use in unclear. As I said above, I have one quote for around £100 which is a bit steep really.

This should do the trick. Micro-armoured for strength, decent price as well

https://mcldatasolutions.co.uk/singlemode-armoured-f...

Edit: I didn't spot the £100 order minimum. For a single cable this might be the sort of thing eBay is good for.

Edited by jpm (Wed 09-Mar-22 20:37:48)

Buy 2 leads. Have one spare. That will be fine outdoors. FS cabling is good gear.

Buy yourself a fibre cleaning pen, for 2.5mm ferrules. Well worth it. 80% of fibre ‘faults’ are actually just dirty end faces on the ferrules.

That way you’ve got 2 leads, a fibre cleaning pen and free shipping for the cost of one cable locally.

Thanks. Yes I've checked ebay but again, it's hard to know what is and isn't suitable for outdoor use.

Thanks.

Do you know which version of SC I would need? It has 2 options of UPC and APC. A search brings up this: https://www.fiber-optic-cable-sale.com/fiber-connect...

The existing quote I have just says 'SC' and I know gigaclear will not help.

Not categorically. I am presuming it’s SC/UPC or SC/PC (same thing) which has a blue coloured rectangular collar. This has a straight cut ferule (as opposed to an angled cut/polish - SC/APC - which are green)

Can you see the colour of the (fibre) connector going into your gear? You shouldn’t need to disconnect it to do so, it will be evident.

Edit: typo ‘colour of the colour….’ [censored] 🤣

Edited by Pheasant (Thu 10-Mar-22 20:03:52)

Yes it's blue, so sounds like the UPC. Thanks.

BTW I'm not sure who mods this site but trying to bully people into not using a VPN is a sad way to run a site.

I've come here for help but I also hope my questions may help others. If you try to ban people who want online privacy you'll end up with no users.

The google capchas are tedious enough as it is.

In reply to a post by Jaap_Stam:

BTW I'm not sure who mods this site but trying to bully people into not using a VPN is a sad way to run a site.

Is that comment in reference to another topic? I might have missed it but I can't see any reference to a VPN under this heading. I can see lots of people trying to help.

Edited by GonePostal (Fri 11-Mar-22 13:17:25)

No, I got a message telling me I cannot post with a VPN/will be banned.

In reply to a post by Jaap_Stam:

No, I got a message telling me I cannot post with a VPN/will be banned.

Fairly basic anti-spam/anti-bot precaution perhaps?

In reply to a post by Jaap_Stam:

No, I got a message telling me I cannot post with a VPN/will be banned.

That is something that you should either raise in Talk to the Staff or via the [email protected] email address. But as others have said it is likely to reduce the amount of spam that gets posted from foreign countries using a VPN to hide their identity/source.

"bully people into not using a VPN"

If that's the rules then don't use the site. There are T&Cs in all walks of life.

In reply to a post by Jaap_Stam:

trying to bully people

As much as I don't always like or see eye to eye with the sites management and have a list of other failing by them, bullying is not currently one of them.

In reply to a post by Jaap_Stam:

No, I got a message telling me I cannot post with a VPN/will be banned.

Could be from the security layer that the site uses. Ask the [email protected] or post in TTTS.

In reply to a post by Jaap_Stam:

Yes it's blue, so sounds like the UPC. Thanks.

Is the present cable from the pot protected in any sort of conduit?

If you mean the pot in the road which everyone has even if not a subscriber, then it's routed under the boundary wall, lawn and path, then emerges by the house wall and runs into the grey junction box.

Can post a pic if you need one.

Just thinking in terms of how much protection is provided for the cable. A conduit provides some more physical/mechanical protection, so the cable doesn’t need to be more than an external grade/ light-armoured cable.

The cable in the Gigaclear user install link above, looks to me like what’s called a ‘loose-tube’ construction cable which as you can probably guess is constructed with a thin plastic tube (almost like a miniature conduit within the sheath of the cable) with the delicate fibre inside it. Sometimes the tube has a gel inside it also. It’s often used for external environments as it provides a bit of added protection to the fibre. Although it makes the cable a bit stiffer than an internal grade cable.

A light armoured cable (like the fs.com one I linked) has a different construction and uses a flexible metallic spiral around the fibre element for protection. Heavier duty armoured cables use a similar sort of construction with a corrugated steel outer around a plastic loose tube. But there are much thicker generally and designed for direct burial.

Pretty sure in your situation a light armoured cable will be plenty good enough. It should be rodent and bird etc resistant, but without going overboard, and able to be run internally too.

Where I live in Kent the Gigaclear contractor Boxcom were using black corrugated plastic tubing for the fibre cable that runs from the pot to the customer's house. The 4 to 5 mm diameter cable is quite flexible so that it can go up a wall and then straight inside using a special plastic support that Gigaclear provided. For my house, the direct burial cable that comes in the ground to the pot was also about 4 - 5 mm diameter but was much stiffer and has two fibres inside. Some properties had cable more like 7mm diameter.

Thank you Michael. Helpful as ever 👍

OK thanks for that. TBH it's mostly weather resistance that I would be concerned about as it would be running around the walls of the house - I wouldn't expect birds or rodents to be an issue.