symmetric vs. asymmetric [was: Verizon Policy Statement on Net Neutrality]

Fri Feb 27 23:09:32 UTC 2015

Completely wrong.  Sorry, but most network traffic is not symmetric.  In corporate environments traffic flows much more heavily from server to client.  Home networks are very highly asymmetric because upstream you see URL requests and downstream you have media streams.  PON networks were designed so that the carrier can deliver internet and video services to you.  The network was designed to deliver content to you not from you.   Carrier grade gigE switches are not the issue, the issue is effectively getting the consumer what they want without super expensive CPE or overbuilding the network.

Most consumers care about fast download speed so they can watch content.  Period, this is a fact.  Of course there are other cases but networks are designed to provide the services that the consumer wants.

I can't believe that this is so hard to understand. 

Steven Naslund 
Chicago IL

>Folks,

>Let's not go overboard here.  Can we remember that most corporate and campus (and, for that matter home) networks are symmetric, at least at the edges.  Personally, >I figure that by deploying PON, the major carriers were just asking for trouble down the line.  It's not like carrier-grade gigE switches are that much more expensive than >PON gear.

>Miles Fidelman

>--
>In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
>In practice, there is.   .... Yogi Berra