Mpoe/demarc/nid/smart jack/mdf/idf

Techie19

I'm having some confusion with these.

My understanding is that the MPOE is where the Telco's wiring comes into the building or facility. The DEMARC is where the NID is located. Now, the NID and the SMART JACK are the same?

At work I am dealing with people using these terms interchangeably. Can somebody please provide some insight on this.

Also, the MDF and IDF, I know the difference is the MDF is where the circuit is located which plugs into the router. IDF being the intermediate distribution frame, no circuit in this room. Sort of an extension of the MDF, housing access layer switch.

So the circuit, this would be the SMART JACK?

i hope I don't sound like I am crazy, just trying to make sense of it all. Thanks guys.

pevangel

I am not familiar with MPOE but I am familiar with the rest of these terms. A demarc basically identifies where the provider's responsibility ends. This is typically a NID. A NID is a device that the provider installs at the customer location. The customer's circuit is provisioned to the NID and the customer plugs into the NID to get service from the provider. The NID can be a smart jack, a modem, a router, or a switch depending on the service ordered.

MDF is where outside plant and inside plant meets. Think of a basement in the building where all the cable from the street comes in. IDF is where the inside plant from the MDF terminates. Think of a room/closet in each floor in the building where cables from MDF terminates. A provider will typically install their NID at the MDF but will sometimes use the existing inside plant or run their own in order to install a NID where the CPE is located. CPE is the customer equipment that plugs into the NID.

Sorry for throwing another acronym in there but I hope my explanation helps.