SFU Fiber Architecture: Service Provider Network to the ONT/Gateway
Tii Technologies provides a flexible fiber connectivity architecture for single-family unit (SFU) FTTH deployments, connecting the service provider’s fiber network to the subscriber’s ONT/gateway. The architecture follows the fiber path from the service provider’s feeder network, through neighborhood distribution and the subscriber drop, to the home fiber demarcation point and ONT/gateway.
Tii enclosure platforms can be selected based on subscriber density, network topology, fiber count, splitter location, installation environment, and whether the deployment is Greenfield or Brownfield. For the enclosure-by-enclosure view of a complete FTTH drop, see The FTTH Drop, End to End: Which Enclosure Goes Where; for apartment and multi-tenant buildings, see the MDU fiber upgrade guide.
Typical SFU Fiber Path
Service Provider Network → Fiber Distribution → Subscriber Drop → Home Demarcation → ONT/Gateway
1. Service Provider Fiber Distribution
The service provider’s feeder fiber enters the local distribution network and is connected to distribution fibers serving individual homes. Tii FDH Series and FDT Series provide centralized fiber management, splicing, splitter integration, and distribution capability.
Typical Tii Products
- FDH Series: centralized fiber distribution and PON splitter management (see what is a fiber distribution hub?)
- FDT1 / FDT2: outdoor fiber distribution and termination
- MFST: aerial and distributed fiber applications (16-port aerial fiber terminal)
Function: the distribution point provides the connection between the service provider’s feeder network and individual subscriber distribution fibers.
2. Subscriber Fiber / Drop
From the distribution point, the subscriber fiber is routed toward the individual residence. Depending on the network architecture, the drop fiber may be routed directly to the home or through an intermediate outdoor splice or termination point. Tii FET Series can provide protected fiber management where an intermediate splice or termination location is required (see what is a fiber entrance terminal?).
Typical Tii Products
Function: provides a protected transition point for the subscriber fiber before it enters the residence.
3. SFU Home Fiber Demarcation
At the residence, the outside fiber drop terminates at the home fiber demarcation point. This is the transition between the service provider’s outside plant fiber and the fiber routed inside the home toward the ONT/gateway. The Tii 506 Series provides multiple configurations for SFU applications.
Typical Tii Products
- 506F: fixed fiber enclosure for drop termination, slack storage, and splice applications
- 506R: reeled fiber solution for simplified drop deployment
- 505F: compact patch and patch-and-splice enclosure for drop termination and slack storage
- 508F: rugged NEMA-4 / IP-66 enclosure for enhanced environmental protection
The 506R can be preloaded with Peelable MicroDrop fiber, allowing the installer to dispense the required length at the residence without field connectorization.
Function: the home demarcation establishes a consistent, protected service-provider-to-home transition point while providing fiber storage, splicing, and termination capability. Not sure which unit fits? See the FISS Series comparison.
4. In-Home Fiber Connection to the ONT/Gateway
From the home demarcation point, the fiber is routed inside the residence to the ONT/gateway. Tii CCP Series terminals provide a compact in-home fiber termination and management point immediately upstream of the ONT/gateway.
Typical Tii Products
- CCP7 / CCP7-ONT: fiber termination with optional ONT mounting capability
- CCP5: compact wall-mounted fiber termination
- CCPW1: wallplate-style fiber termination
Function: the CCP provides the final fiber termination and management point before the service provider’s optical signal reaches the subscriber’s ONT/gateway.
5. Fiber Routing to the ONT/Gateway
Tii Peelable MicroDrop provides a small-diameter fiber solution for routing from the home demarcation point or CCP to the ONT/gateway. The cable can be routed along walls, baseboards, corners, and other interior surfaces with minimal visual impact. The jacket can be peeled to expose the 900-micron fiber subunit where required for installation. Tii’s Fiber Pathway System can provide a protected and organized pathway for interior fiber routing.
Function: provides the final fiber connection between the home fiber termination point and the ONT/gateway.
Complete SFU Architecture
Subscriber Home Network
Tii SFU Product-to-Network Framework
| Network Stage | Tii Platform | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| Service Provider Feeder | FDH Series | Fiber distribution, splicing, and PON management |
| Neighborhood Distribution | FDT1 / FDT2 / MFST | Outdoor fiber distribution and termination |
| Intermediate Splice/Termination | FET2 / FET2G / FET3 | Protected fiber splice and termination |
| Home Demarcation | 506F / 506R / 505F / 508F | Subscriber drop termination and fiber management |
| In-Home Fiber | Peelable MicroDrop | Small-diameter fiber routing |
| In-Home Termination | CCP7 / CCP7-ONT / CCP5 / CCPW1 | Fiber termination and management |
| ONT/Gateway | CCP7-ONT or CCP Series | Final fiber connection to the ONT/gateway |
Example: 100-Home SFU Deployment
A typical 100-home deployment could include:
| Application | Tii Product | Typical Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Central fiber distribution | FDH / MFST | Based on network architecture |
| Outdoor splice/termination | FET / FDT | As required |
| Home fiber demarcation | 506F / 506R / 505F / 508F | 100 |
| In-home fiber | Peelable MicroDrop | 100 runs |
| In-home termination | CCP Series | 100 |
| ONT/gateway connection | CCP7-ONT or applicable CCP configuration | 100 |
Actual quantities depend on the service provider’s fiber architecture, splitter location, subscriber density, drop design, and installation requirements.
One Tii Architecture, Multiple SFU Applications
The Tii SFU platform allows service providers to select the appropriate enclosure at each point in the fiber path without changing the overall architecture:
Centralized Distribution → Outdoor Fiber Management → Home Demarcation → In-Home Termination → ONT/Gateway
This modular approach allows Tii products to support both greenfield and brownfield SFU deployments, while providing service providers with consistent fiber management from the network to the subscriber.
SFU Architecture Q&A
What is the Tii SFU fiber architecture?
Tii’s SFU architecture provides a complete fiber connectivity path from the service provider’s network to the subscriber’s ONT/gateway. Tii products can be used at the distribution point, subscriber drop, home demarcation, and in-home termination.
What is the typical fiber path?
Service Provider Network → Fiber Distribution → Subscriber Drop → Home Demarcation → In-Home Fiber → ONT/Gateway.
Where does the service provider’s feeder fiber connect?
The feeder fiber typically connects to a fiber distribution hub (FDH), an FDT Series distribution terminal, or an MFST aerial fiber terminal. These products provide fiber management, splicing, termination, and, where applicable, PON splitter integration.
What Tii products can be used for neighborhood fiber distribution?
Depending on the network architecture, Tii offers the FDH Series for centralized fiber distribution and PON management, FDT1 / FDT2 for outdoor distribution and termination, and MFST for aerial and distributed fiber applications.
How does the fiber get from the distribution point to the home?
The service provider’s distribution fiber is routed to the individual residence as a subscriber drop. An FET, FDT, or other appropriate enclosure can be used where an intermediate splice or termination point is required.
What happens when the fiber reaches the home?
The subscriber drop terminates at the home fiber demarcation point. Tii’s 506 Series provides a compact platform for fiber termination, splicing, slack storage, and the transition from the outside plant to the inside fiber.
Which Tii products are used for home demarcation?
Common options include the 506F fixed fiber enclosure, the 506R reeled fiber solution, the 505F compact patch and patch-and-splice enclosure, and the 508F rugged NEMA-4 / IP-66 enclosure.
What is the advantage of the 506R?
The 506R can be preloaded with Peelable MicroDrop fiber. This allows the installer to deploy the required fiber length at the home without field connectorization, simplifying the installation process.
How does the fiber get from the demarcation point to the ONT/gateway?
The fiber can be routed through the residence using Peelable MicroDrop and terminated at a CCP Series fiber terminal before connecting to the ONT/gateway.
What Tii products can be used near the ONT?
Depending on the installation, Tii offers the CCP7 / CCP7-ONT, CCP5, and CCPW1. These provide fiber termination, splice management, and a controlled connection point for the ONT/gateway.
What is the purpose of the CCP7-ONT?
The CCP7-ONT provides an in-home fiber termination point with an optional mounting configuration for the ONT. It creates an organized transition between the incoming fiber and the customer’s active equipment.
Can Tii provide the fiber between the home demarcation and the ONT?
Yes. Peelable MicroDrop provides a small-diameter fiber solution for routing fiber inside the home. It can be routed along walls, corners, and baseboards, and can be used with Tii’s Fiber Pathway System where a protected interior pathway is required.
Does every SFU installation require every Tii enclosure?
No. The architecture is modular. The required Tii products depend on the service provider’s network topology, fiber count, splitter location, outside-plant design, and whether the deployment is greenfield or brownfield.
Can this architecture support both greenfield and brownfield SFU deployments?
Yes. The individual Tii platforms can be selected based on the existing infrastructure, installation environment, fiber routing, and subscriber connection requirements.
What is the value to the service provider?
The Tii architecture provides a consistent fiber management framework from the service provider’s network to the ONT/gateway, allowing the service provider to select the appropriate Tii enclosure for each point in the network while maintaining a common installation approach.