What Is This Tool?
This converter transforms data transfer values from OC24, a high-capacity SONET rate, into multiple STS3c (payload) units, representing contiguous SONET transport channels. It is designed specifically for telecommunications professionals working with SONET optical networks.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the OC24 value you want to convert.
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Select STS3c (payload) as the target unit.
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Click the convert button to see the equivalent STS3c (payload) value.
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Use the result for provisioning or network design purposes.
Key Features
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Converts OC24 values to STS3c (payload) units based on SONET standards.
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Supports network planning and traffic management for legacy SONET systems.
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Provides a clear way to map aggregate fiber channel capacity into individual transport payloads.
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Browser-based and straightforward for quick calculations.
Examples
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1 OC24 equals approximately 8.28 STS3c (payload).
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3 OC24 converts to about 24.83 STS3c (payload) based on multiplication.
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Use these examples to estimate the number of STS3c payload channels from a given OC24 capacity.
Common Use Cases
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Backbone trunk links in carrier SONET networks aggregating lower-rate circuits.
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High-capacity WAN circuits connecting data centers in legacy SONET deployments.
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Traffic grooming or interfacing between SONET equipment and higher-layer networks.
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Enterprise leased-line services requiring roughly 155 Mbps circuits.
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Transporting client signals like ATM or frame relay within SONET payloads.
Tips & Best Practices
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Understand that STS3c (payload) reflects usable payload slightly below the gross line rate.
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Use conversion results for SONET network planning and not for unrelated optical technologies.
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Check compatibility when integrating with newer network technologies beyond SONET.
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Apply this converter to assist in traffic grooming and accurate circuit provisioning.
Limitations
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STS3c (payload) capacity is slightly less than gross OC-3 line rate due to framing overhead.
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Conversion is specific to SONET and may not match rates in newer optical transport formats like OTN or Ethernet.
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Results represent approximate usable payload, not exact gross rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does OC24 represent in SONET?
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OC24 is an Optical Carrier level 24 rate in SONET networks, equal to 24 times the base OC-1 rate, indicating a high-capacity optical fiber channel.
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Why convert OC24 to STS3c (payload)?
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Converting OC24 to STS3c (payload) helps in understanding how a large SONET channel maps into multiple smaller payload units for provisioning and traffic management.
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Can I use this conversion for newer optical transport technologies?
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No, this conversion applies specifically within SONET transport standards and may not be valid for newer technologies like OTN or Ethernet-based transport.
Key Terminology
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OC24
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A SONET transport rate equal to 24 times the base OC-1 rate, representing around 1.24416 Gbit/s optical channel capacity.
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STS3c (payload)
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A concatenated Synchronous Transport Signal level-3 payload in SONET providing a contiguous transport channel with a gross rate of 155.52 Mbps, used for carrying client signals.
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SONET
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Synchronous Optical Network, a standard for optical telecommunications transport used in legacy fiber networks.