Internet / WAN Circuit Implementation Guide: Handoffs, Demarc, MPOE, and more

You’ve found an internet service provider (ISP) that can service your location. You’ve diligently worked through the nitty-gritty of their technology to ensure their topology and bandwidth will support your enterprise business. You’ve even put on your legal hat and worked through the fine print of the contract terms and conditions to make sure there weren’t any red flags. And finally, you’ve signed off on the paperwork. Now, it’s time to celebrate, right? Not quite!

Before your new ISP delivers your chosen wide area network (WAN) or dedicated internet connectivity and hands it off to your existing network, you’ll have to go through the dreaded circuit installation process. After all, we all want a seamless, fast installation with no hiccups. Unfortunately, circuit installs rarely proceed without issue. Thankfully, Lightyear is here to help! In this guide, we’ll define the bits of information you’ll most want to understand going into a circuit installation, and give you a step-by-step of what to expect in an install. Let’s begin!

Physical Handoff Types

“Handoff” in this context refers to where the ISP circuit actually connects to your LAN. To make sure you have the right equipment at your end for the handoff, it’s essential to know what kind of circuit you’re connecting. The three most common physical handoff types are electrical, single-mode fiber, or multi-mode fiber. Your choice of handoff type is often dictated by your throughput requirements, as well as the physical distances involved in your network layout.

Electrical

• Speed: Options include 10, 100, or 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps). Not all carriers can provide 1,000 Mbps.

• Cabling: Electrical handoffs are provided from CAT5 or CAT6 copper cabling, connected with RJ-45.

• Distance: Signal loss becomes noticeable after approximately 328 feet (100 meters).

Multi-mode Fiber (MMF)

• Speed: Options include 1, 10, 40, or 100 gigabits per second (Gbps). Maximum speeds are dependent on the fiber core size and the Small-form Factor pluggable (SFP) used.

• Cabling: The different MMF cable types (OM1 to OM5) offer different levels of performance based on their core size and other characteristics. They’re connected using either Lucent Connector (LC) or Subscriber Connector (SC) fiber-optic connectors.

• Distance: With a throughput of 1 to 10 Gbps, optimal performance can be expected over distances of 1,800 feet (549 meters). For higher rates of throughput (40 Gbps or above), distance is reduced to 500 feet (150 meters) or less.

Single-mode Fiber (SMF)

• Speed: 1 or 10 Gbps are the most procured speeds, though others are available.

• Cabling: Usually a 9/125 cable, with a 1550 or 1310 nanometer wavelength. Again, LC or SC connectors are used.

• Distance: SMF fares are much better than MMF fares over distance. In MMF, multiple light sources are operating simultaneously, which gets messier the further it goes, increasing attenuation. 

For 1 Gbps throughput with 1310 nanometers, SMF’s optimal distance is 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) or less. For 10 Gbps with 1310 nanometers, the distance is increased to 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).

It’s important to note that the numbers being thrown around here are in keeping with the “standard-issue” expectations. Should you choose to splash out for specialized transceivers, you can expect significant improvements in your performance metrics.

Other Information You Will Need To Prepare for Handoff

To make sure your installation is as smooth as possible, confirm all parties are up to speed with the following.

• The address for the location;

• The demarc location at the property;

• The business hours or site access hours;

• The type of power available at the location;

• Contact details for both onsite queries and technical support.

To the uninitiated, a technical conversation about circuit handoff can feel like you’re swimming in alphabet soup, so we’ve compiled a handy glossary to get you up to speed.

What Is the Minimum Point of Entry (MPOE)?

MPOE is one of the most frequent terms that comes up during an ISP circuit install. But what does it mean?

Your MPOE is the physical point at which the telecommunications service provider's wiring enters your building or facility. It’s also your “border,” or the point at which the provider’s responsibility ends and yours begins.

If you own the building, you may already know where the MPOE is and have the freedom to choose a spot that works best for your enterprise. If you’re not the owner of a property — especially if you are sharing tenant space —  and a logical MPOE doesn’t exist, you may need to check with your property management company to locate and coordinate access to one. 

The term main distribution frame (MDF) is often used interchangeably with MPOE in instances where both points are in the main telephone room. Connectivity is distributed from here to all points of the building.

If you don’t have an MPOE established or a location in mind, it’s time to work it out, before the technicians are on-site and waiting.

Demarcation (Demarc) Meaning

Hand in hand with the MPOE is the “demarc” — the logical point in a telecommunications network where the responsibility for the connection shifts. It’s the boundary between where the ISP’s responsibility ends and your responsibility for maintaining and managing the network begins. Usually, the demarcation will be at the point where the service provider's network connects to your network or premises and thus may overlap with the MPOE. Remember, however, that the MPOE is a physical location. The demarcation is the point in the infrastructure where the responsibility change occurs.

An extended demarcation point or “extended demarc” is an extension of the traditional demarc-at-MPOE point, used to provide additional flexibility and convenience for customers managing their network connections. It allows customers to have more control over their internal network infrastructure while still maintaining a clear separation between their responsibility and that of the service provider. Extended demarcations are common in shared office spaces. They move the demarcation point from a common area where everyone’s services enter the building (the MPOE) to a location where you can better monitor and control it from within your private office space.

Extended Demarcations

The network interface device (NID), sometimes called a network termination device, is the specific equipment that sits at the demarcation boundary, connecting the ISP’s network to your network’s wiring and cabling. 

If the NID is to be installed in the MPOE, there are typically no extra issues. However, let’s circle back to extended demarcations. Demarcation extension is most used in multi-tenant buildings, where the MPOE is usually in a common, shared area, and you’d rather shift the demarcation point to your private suite or an area that you can better control. You have a few options:

Customer extended demarcations: The service provider installs the NID/demarc in the MPOE. The customer then takes responsibility for all necessary steps to extend from the MPOE to their offices.

Service provider extended demarcation: The service provider agrees to run cabling to the customer’s offices. If this is your preferred option, the service provider must be notified before contracting. It’s industry standard for this service to attract a non-recurring cost for the extra work, and service provider policies vary significantly.  

Hybrid extended demarcation: Some providers will allow the customer to run the cabling between the MPOE and their offices. You would need to evaluate the type of handoff required at the MPOE, and then run appropriate, compliant cabling. Once the cable is in place, the service provider will install their NID in your offices.

What Is Right of Entry (ROE)?

ROE is exactly what you’d expect; it’s the legal authority needed to be inside a property or building to conduct work, such as installing new telecommunications equipment and services. If the service provider has some form of installation in the MPOE, they likely have formal permission and documentation. It’s likely, but not certain — you need to specifically ask if they have ROE for the work you’re planning. And, of course, if they’re new to the site, there’s likely no ROE in place at all.

It may seem logical that implicit permission exists — after all, running any business without digital connections is no longer a viable business model. However, simply assuming implicit permission exists is a recipe for a delayed installation and future issues. Rather, make sure ROE for your provider is in place and ready to go before the big day.

What Is the Local Contact (LCON)?

In tandem with your ROE comes an LCON — someone aware of the pending installation and ready to assist with it. That doesn’t mean just making sure any old warm body is hanging around when the installer arrives. You need someone knowledgeable about the building and the intent of the work, as well as aware of the ROE and the pending installation.

Your LCON also needs to be on-site during the installation, with ready access to the building’s MPOE and any other telecommunications closets that need to be accessed during the installation (or the means to coordinate it). They should be aware of the access provider engineering rep and be ready to make the installation as smooth as possible.

If you have a site survey scheduled, the LCON will be expected to meet with the access provider engineer and engage with their walk-through on what will be needed to complete the installation. They should, of course, be responsible enough to report back to you on progress and potential issues so these can be solved ahead of time. No one wants to be chasing down a bored building super trying to find closet keys. 

Twenty-four-hour notice of access for tech deployment is the industry standard, so the LCON needs the authority to make that happen, too.

Other Important Terms To Understand

Other terms that may come up during installation include the following: 

• IDF: An IDF, or intermediate distribution frame, is used in situations where the network distribution needs can’t be met by a single MDF. In plain terms, this would usually involve an MDF on the ground floor, where the MPOE is (i.e. where the cable enters the building). The rooms directly above the MDF would house as many IDFs, or additional telephone rooms as necessary. So, one MDF, with supplementary IDFs extending distribution across the property.

• SFP: An SFP, a small form-factor pluggable, is an interface that connects networking equipment, like a switch, router, or network card, to fiber or copper cabling. They’re tiny, hot-pluggable (so there’s no need to shut things down when installing), use minimal power, and play nicely with pretty much any fiber or copper network cabling.

• Patch cable/cord/lead: These electrical or optical cables are used to connect or “patch” one device to another for signal routing. They can connect different types of devices, such as a switch to a computer or a router.

• SC fiber-optic connector: This square (or subscriber) connector can usually be found hanging off the end of your patch cord, and is designed to…you guessed it, connect to fiber-optic cables.

• LC fiber-optic connector: The SC’s smaller, younger brother, LC connectors are rapidly gaining popularity. Their slimmer profile makes them physically easier to use in more densely populated racks and panels.

• RJ-45: The RJ-45 will be familiar to anyone who was plugging in a computer before 2008; it’s the good old ethernet data connector.

When it comes to internet installation, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if there is anything you don’t understand.

What You Need To Know About Site Requirements

If the carrier is installing services to your building for the first time, there are a few things that they will need. The requirements will vary between providers and depend on the type of equipment required. However, almost any installation requires the following:

• The telecom space to be safe, secure, and temperature-controlled for the team;

• Installation space for the service provider’s equipment (typically, installations are done on a plywood backboard, relay rack, or in-cabinet);

• Access to power points for on-site equipment and installation equipment;

• Grounding for the equipment.

If anything unusual is needed during your installation — perhaps permission to install the mount for a satellite connection, add cabinets or racks, or drill holes in a location —, this needs to be clarified and organized ahead of time.

Service provider policies differ significantly, as do their customer service and communication skills. The processes and individual ISP uses vary according to your offering. A fiber-optic cable installation and a coaxial cable installation, for example, will not be the same. And these are common pain points that delay installations.

Your IP Addressing

The number and type of internet protocol (IP) addresses you will need should also be clarified before the contract is signed, as there is a lot of ISP variety. ISP options include:

• Private IPs typically have no cost associated, but the ISP may not offer routers and network elements capable of network address translations (NAT).

• Public IPv6 address schemes are underutilized at present and are usually free or low-cost.

• Public IPv4 is the most popular type of IP address scheme requested from service providers. They have a high cost of ownership, and ISPs tend to be critical, limiting the number of addresses they’ll allocate. If you’re in the market for a large block of IPv4 addresses (think more than a single/29m which means 5 usable addresses), make sure the ISP will work with this need.

With clarity on these key issues — and any snags you uncover properly ironed out before contracts and installation dates come into play — your ISP circuit handoff will be smoother, simpler, and more cost-effective. And what’s not to love about that?

Finally! Implementing Your Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) or WAN Circuit

Now it's time for installation! Getting a DIA circuit installed can often be the bane of an IT leader’s existence. From order acceptance to construction to activation, there are tons of steps in the dedicated fiber install process that occur over the course of months, each of which can lead to order errors or delays if mismanaged by the carrier. At Lightyear, we’ve found that installations are the least painful when the buyer has a clear understanding of the job steps involved in a normal fiber install and what to expect during each one. 

What To Look For Before Implementation

Before you submit a DIA order, you likely went through a request for proposal process where you quoted multiple vendors and made a selection based on a variety of factors. Although price is often the most important consideration, it’s worth ensuring you know what type of implementation you’ll be signing up for before you select your carrier.

First and foremost, determine whether the site you’ll be installing is on-net, near-net, or off-net for a carrier you’ll be selecting, and ask about what installation interval they expect for the site. An “on-net” site indicates that little or no construction will be required, while a “near-net” site may indicate light construction and an “off-net” site may indicate significant construction potential. 

More construction often means a significantly longer lead time to install completion, and although this should be factored into a carrier’s install interval estimate, construction timelines are very delay-prone and can add significant variability to a job’s completion timeline. If construction is involved, the carrier may be able to offer insight into the depth of construction needed, any permitting requirements, and other factors that can impact your delivery timeline to better ground expectations. 

It is also worth noting whether or not the carrier you’ve selected is selling its own infrastructure, or reselling another carrier’s network via layer 2 access. If a carrier is selling layer 2 access, this can complicate communication and coordination around the installation, as they’ll be coordinating processes between you (the end-user) and the layer 1 carrier.

What Happens During Implementation?

As soon as you’ve submitted your installation order, it’s off to the races. Submitted orders should have a project manager (PM) assigned to manage your order through its construction timeline. Although each carrier uses different terminology for each milestone, they generally follow the same process. Ideally, you’ll receive status updates on your order from your carrier PM every 1-2 weeks, and it’s worth checking in if you don’t. 

Some steps in the installation process, with corresponding timing expectations, are outlined below:

1. You submit your order.

2. The carrier will scrub your service order for any issues, confirm order validity/availability, and submit to service delivery (one to two weeks typically).

3. Service delivery will assign a project manager to your order and it will begin to be processed (one to two weeks typically).

4. A site survey will be run and site requirements/construction will be established (about two weeks, may be done in parallel with previous steps, and may not be needed in rare cases).

5. Construction and site requirements are completed (anywhere from one week to several months).

6. The carrier will load the configuration files into the CPE/modem that will be installed to program it with port assignment, network settings such as bandwidth speeds, auto-negotiation settings, and duplex mode. Carriers will also assign static IPs at this time.

7. The carrier PM will schedule a technician for dispatch to install the CPE/modem in the customer’s server rack. Once they install the equipment, they will test the circuit to ensure that traffic (data) is passing with no packet loss. 

8. After the testing is completed successfully, the technician will hand the circuit over to the customer, completing the project. Carriers will begin billing the customer the same day that the installation is completed.

From submission to completion, orders can take anywhere from 30 to 360 days (or longer) to install, although most take 60 - 120 days (or less if a build isn’t needed).

Common Issues and What To Do

Now that you have an understanding of the overall installation process, you can better strategize around potential installation issues. Firstly, it’s of the utmost importance that you’re up to speed on installation updates and are not holding up any process steps yourself. If your order has not yet been formally accepted or you haven’t received a PM, it’s worth hounding your carrier to ensure your order is processed on a timely basis. Once your PM is assigned, ensure that you’re getting weekly updates, and if you’re not, ask! As updates come, make sure they provide any necessary bits of information that could hold up a process as soon as they arrive (on-site contact information, building owner ROE, etc.).

If your order isn’t moving according to the timeline despite your best efforts to stay on top of things, it’s worth pushing your PM and carrier sales rep to help you escalate your order to carrier leadership. Regarding escalations, carriers themselves have different processes and different types of customers can hold more weight in these situations (i.e. a customer billing $100,000 of monthly recurring charge can ask for much more than a customer buying its first circuit, unfortunately).

Does all of the above sound like a bit much to manage? If so, we agree. Work with Lightyear on your ISP procurement and we will manage and organize a majority of the circuit install process on your behalf to make sense of it all via our installation project management software.