System and method of fiber distribution

Abstract

A closure ( 15 ) is installed at a network distribution point to facilitate upgrading a subscriber network ( 10 ) to extend optical fibers closer to the subscribers ( 18 ). The closure ( 15 ) may include active equipment to convert optical signals to electrical signals. The closure ( 15 ) enables a plug-and-play connection to the active equipment to facilitate installing and/or upgrading active equipment at the closure ( 15 ). The closure ( 15 ) also is expandable to enable drop cables (or other optical cable) to be routed from the closure ( 15 ) towards the subscribers ( 18 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure comprising:
 a fiber management module having a sealed fiber connection location accessible from an exterior of the fiber management module;   an active equipment module coupled to the fiber management module to form a sealed enclosure, the active equipment module having a sealed electrical connection location accessible from an exterior of the active equipment module, and the active equipment module containing a fiber-to-electrical signal converter that is electrically coupled to the sealed electrical connection location; and   a fiber line connecting the sealed fiber connection location to the fiber-to-electrical signal converter.