Importance

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Abstract

The present invention contemplates centralized fiber optic nodes in a network that utilizes a fiber optic backbone for at least a portion of the downstream channel. The centralized fiber optic node is operable to process downstream data intended for customer premise equipment and provides the downstream data to a central server of the network. The central server in turn may provide the downstream data to the customer premise equipment via the network. The centralized node is further operable to receive upstream data from the customer premise equipment, the upstream data being intended for remote network servers. In an HFC system, the localized fiber optic node is replaced with a centralized node located at a central server and a simple local optical converter for interfacing to an electronic network. The centralized node enables each CPE to communicate upstream network or Internet data directly to the central server for transmission to network servers via a publicly switched telephone network (PSNT). Without sacrificing bidirectional communication, the centralized node eliminates the expense and maintenance of localized fiber optic nodes.

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First Claim