Enabling Communication Between Two End Terminals in a Fibre Optic Network

A method in a first end terminal for enabling communication between said first end terminal and a second end terminal in a fiber optic access network, wherein the method is performed in an arrangement in the first end terminal, the method comprising:

• initiating a synchronization procedure with the second end terminal for synchronizing the first and second end terminals with each other and enabling them to start a negotiation procedure, wherein initiating the synchronization procedure comprises:
• setting the transmission rate to a lowest value;
• sending an information message to the second end terminal, the information message comprising information pertaining to transmission rate capabilities of the first end terminal, the information message being sent at the lowest transmission rate;
• and
• starting a first preset timer, wherein if the first preset timer expires before an acknowledgement message is received from the second end terminal, then generating a link failure message and ending the synchronization procedure;
• and
• when the synchronization procedure is successful, then:
• performing said negotiation procedure with the second end terminal, the negotiation procedure pertaining to a transmission rate for communication on the fiber link between the first and second end terminals;
• and
• executing communication to the second end terminal employing said negotiated transmission rate.

A method in a second end terminal for enabling communication between the second end terminal and a first end terminal in a fiber optic access network, wherein the method is performed in an arrangement in the second end terminal, the method comprising:

• receiving an information message from the first end terminal, the information message comprising information pertaining to transmission rate capabilities of the first end terminal;
• and
• acknowledging said information message and sending information pertaining to transmission rate capabilities of the second end terminal to the first end terminal, thereby synchronizing the first and second end terminals with each other and enabling them to start negotiation of the transmission rate to be employed for communication on a fiber link between the first and second end terminals;
• wherein acknowledging said information message and sending information pertaining to the transmission rate capabilities of the second end terminal to the first end terminal comprises:
• sending one acknowledgement message comprising said information pertaining to the transmission rate capabilities of the second end terminal;
• or
• sending a separate acknowledgement message and a separate reply information message comprising information pertaining to the transmission rate capabilities of the second end terminal.

An arrangement in a first end terminal in a fiber optic access network adapted to enable communication between the first end terminal and a second end terminal, the arrangement comprising:

• a first preset timer;
• and
• a processing circuit configured to:
• initiate a synchronization procedure with the second end terminal for synchronizing the first and second end terminals with each other and enabling them to start a negotiation procedure by:
• setting the transmission rate to a lowest value;
• sending an information message to the second end terminal, the information message comprising information pertaining to transmission rate capabilities of the first end terminal, the message being sent at the transmission rate set to the lowest value;
• and
• starting the first preset timer, wherein if the first preset timer expires before an acknowledgement message is received from the second end terminal, then the processing circuit is further configured to generate a link failure message;
• when the synchronization procedure is successful, then the processing circuit is further configured to:
• perform said negotiation procedure with the second end terminal, the negotiation procedure pertaining to a transmission rate for communication on the fiber link between the first and second end terminals;
• and
• execute communication to the second end terminal employing said negotiated transmission rate.

An arrangement in a second end terminal in a fiber optic access network adapted to enable communication between the second end terminal and a first end terminal, the arrangement comprising a processing circuit configured to:

• receive an information message from the first end terminal, the information message comprising information pertaining to transmission rate capabilities of the first end terminal;
• and
• acknowledge said information message and send information pertaining to transmission rate capabilities of the second end terminal to the first end terminal, thereby synchronizing the two terminals with each other and enabling them to start negotiation of the transmission rate to be employed for communication on a fiber link between the second end terminal and first end terminal;
• wherein the processing circuit is configured to acknowledge said information message and to send information pertaining to transmission rate capabilities of the second end terminal by:
• sending one acknowledgement message comprising said information pertaining to the transmission rate capabilities of the second end terminal;
• or
• sending a separate acknowledgement message and a separate information message comprising information pertaining to the transmission rate capabilities of the second end terminal.