Comnet 2-channel optical fiber bypass unit with 4 single-mode ports LC -20 to 70 C - CN-OBSS

Comnet CN-OBSS 2-Channel Optical Fiber Bypass Switch

Overview

The Comnet CN-OBSS is a 2-channel optical fiber bypass unit designed for fiber-fed surveillance networks where network uptime is non-negotiable. Built with 4 single-mode LC ports and support for speeds up to 10G, the CN-OBSS acts as a fail-safe pass-through: if primary power fails, optical bypass switches automatically close in under 10 milliseconds, keeping cameras and recorders online on backup power without requiring manual intervention or network reconfiguration. This is the right choice for large distributed surveillance systems—parking structures, perimeter fencing, remote facilities—where fiber backbone reliability directly impacts availability.

Key Features

• 2-Channel Duplex / 4-Port Simplex Configuration: The CN-OBSS provides 2 duplex ports or 4 simplex single-mode LC connectors, letting you run bidirectional or unidirectional fiber pairs depending on your network architecture. Duplex pairs are typical for camera/recorder links; simplex is common in one-way encode/decode chains.
• 10G Speed Support: Rated for 100M, 1G, and 10G line rates — future-proofs your backbone for high-bandwidth video streams (multiple 4K cameras on a single fiber pair) without needing to replace the bypass unit when you upgrade camera resolution.
• Low Insertion Loss: Low optical loss means minimal signal degradation when data passes through the bypass — important on long runs (1+ km) where accumulated loss from splitters, connectors, and fiber can degrade signal quality.
• Sub-10ms Bypass Switching Time: When AC power fails, the optical bypass closes in under 10 milliseconds — fast enough that TCP/IP streams don't timeout and cameras remain visible to the NVR even during the transition to generator or UPS backup power. Manual or networked bypass override is possible for maintenance without powering down.
• Relay Output for Power Failure Warning: A dry relay contact closes on AC power loss, triggering SNMP traps, email alerts, or local alarm systems. Integrates with NOC dashboards so you know the moment primary power is lost — not hours later when a technician notices the site offline.
• Wide Operating Temperature Range (-20 to 70°C): Rated for outdoor and uncontrolled-environment installations—shipping yards, rooftop huts, unheated warehouses—without requiring additional climate control or enclosure hardening.

Integration & Compatibility

The CN-OBSS is transport-layer agnostic: it passes any optical signal (fiber coming in one port leaves on another) regardless of protocol or bit pattern. Works with any NVR, encoder, or decoder using single-mode fiber. The relay output integrates with standard industrial alarm or network management systems. Three mounting options—surface, wall, or DIN-rail—fit standard server rooms, cabinet backplanes, and control-room racks without special fabrication.

Power and Environmental Specifications

The unit draws 12–48 VDC input power (a range that covers most PoE injectors, industrial DC supplies, and UPS backup systems), making it compatible with existing surveillance infrastructure. IP-30 enclosure protection keeps dust and light splashes out; not waterproof, but suitable for dry indoor / semi-outdoor installations. Surface, wall, and DIN-rail mounting types let you integrate into existing cabinets or wall-mount near fiber patch panels for short stub runs.

What's in the Box

The CN-OBSS ships as the bypass unit only. Fiber jumpers, LC connectors, and patch cables are ordered separately based on your specific run lengths and polarity (standard or reverse).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the warranty on the CN-OBSS?

A: Consult the manufacturer or distributor documentation for warranty terms. Manufacturer warranty typically covers defects in material and workmanship.

Q: Does the CN-OBSS require software or firmware updates?

A: No. The CN-OBSS is a passive optical bypass switch with no firmware or software to update. It operates on relay logic and requires only DC power input.

Q: Can I use the CN-OBSS with multimode fiber?

A: The CN-OBSS is specified for single-mode fiber with LC connectors. Multimode fiber has different loss characteristics and is not recommended for this unit; contact the manufacturer if you need guidance on alternative products.

Q: What happens if the bypass activates during operation?

A: When power fails, the bypass closes in under 10 milliseconds. Active connections remain live on backup power because the optical signal path stays intact — no reconnection delay, no dropped frames on the NVR timeline.

Q: Does the CN-OBSS work with both duplex and simplex fiber pairs?

A: Yes. The unit can be configured as 2 duplex (bidirectional) ports or 4 simplex (unidirectional) ports depending on your network design — ask your integrator which topology matches your camera and recorder setup.

Q: Is there a way to manually trigger the bypass without power loss?

A: Yes. The CN-OBSS supports manual or networked bypass override, allowing you to test failover or perform maintenance on primary power without bringing the cameras offline.

Jerry Tildsen

I've seen the CN-OBSS deployed in distribution centers and parking-structure surveillance backbones where a single fiber cut or power blip used to mean 30 minutes of recovery time and missed forensic video. The real value here is that sub-10ms bypass switching time — it's short enough that your NVR never loses TCP session state, so cameras come right back online the instant backup power kicks in. No manual failover, no "reconnecting..." lag in your VMS.

Technical Highlights:

• Single-Mode LC with 10G Support: Most surveillance fiber runs stick to 1G, but if you're migrating to multi-camera 4K encode on a single backbone pair, 10G headroom means you don't have to replace the bypass unit later. Low insertion loss keeps signal integrity clean on long runs.
• Bypass Switching <10ms: That's 10 times faster than typical Ethernet failover convergence. Your NVR app doesn't even see a TCP timeout — the optical path just closes seamlessly when AC fails.
• Relay Output Integration: The dry relay contact lets you tie this into your SNMP trap system or industrial alarm panel. No more discovering the site is offline during a midnight incident review.
• 12–48 VDC Input Range: This covers standard PoE injectors, industrial DC bricks, and most UPS battery backup systems. Easy to source a compatible supply from your existing infrastructure.

Deployment Considerations:

• The CN-OBSS is passive—no firmware updates, no software stack to patch. That's a reliability plus for set-and-forget outdoor fiber runs, but also means you can't change behavior via software if your architecture evolves.
• This is a single point of failure if you only have one bypass unit on your backbone. In mission-critical deployments, consider redundant bypass switches or mesh fiber topology so one unit doesn't isolate an entire site.
• Order single-mode LC jumpers and patch cables separately; the unit ships as the bypass chassis only. Get polarity and lengths right during integrator handoff to avoid field rework.

The CN-OBSS is the right pick for fiber-fed surveillance with hard availability requirements — especially remote or unattended sites (parking lots, perimeter fencing, substations) where a manual failover isn't an option and downtime translates directly to forensic gaps.