single family unit (GPON) (SFU)

A Single Family Unit (SFU) is an Optical Network Termination(ONT) for GPONs. As can be seen from the name, it is a relatively simple unit deployed in Fiber to the Home( FTTH) and used by a family for IP services. It forms the termination of the Optical Distribution Network( ODN).

SFU units have multiple ports for telephony, USB interfaces, CATV, WLAN and multiple ports for different Ethernet variants such as Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet. SFU units are compact and small and can be mounted on the wall or placed on a shelf. They are used in single-family homes. The counterpart for multi-family homes is the Multi Dwelling Unit( MDU).

Single Family Unit (SFU), photo: fiberbit.com.tw

Functionally, an SFU unit is equivalent to a bridge. It has no routing functions. However, there are also versions that have implemented routing and gateway functions and perform the functions of a Home Gateway Unit( HGU).