Systems and methods for ruggedized optical-to-electrical and protocol conversion

A network device, comprising:

• a first communication interface to send and receive messages via an optical fiber;
• a second communication interface to send and receive messages via Ethernet;
• a processor that is configured to:
• receive information for remote network equipment, wherein the information is received via the first communication interface and in a first management protocol format;
• convert the information for the remote network equipment into a second protocol format;
• forward the converted information to the remote network equipment via the second communication interface;
• receive, via the Ethernet connection, a response from the remote network equipment in the second protocol format;
• convert the response into the first protocol format;
• and
• forward the response via the optical fiber connection.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by a processor of a network device, wherein the instructions are for:

• receiving, by the network device, information for remote network equipment, wherein the information is received via an optical fiber connection and in a first management protocol format;
• converting, by the network device, the information for configuring the remote network equipment into a second protocol format;
• forwarding, by the network device, the converted information to the remote network equipment via an Ethernet connection;
• receiving, by the network device and via the Ethernet connection, a response from the remote network equipment in the second protocol format;
• converting, by the network device, the response into the first protocol format;
• and
• forwarding, by the network device, the response via the optical fiber connection.