  Fiber-optic network and cluster? 
 The Question is:
 
We are implementing Dark Fibre as a solution for a remote VMS cluster.  What is
 acceptable span loss for a VMS cluster?
 
 The Answer is:
 
  Dark fiber typically indicates that customer equipment is used with the
  fiber-optic connection.
 
  Please contact your fiber-optic communications device vendor for assistance
  in correctly configuring the fiber-optic connection -- most fiber-optic
  communications devices require a minimum required loss (variously measured
  in dB), and this can be provided via sufficient cabling or via the
  installation of appropriate attenuation filters.
 
  Neither span loss nor in-line loss elements (attenuators) are features or
  considerations of an OpenVMS Cluster configuration.  The OpenVMS Cluster
  software deliberately does not know nor does it particularly care about
  the underlying connection -- the OpenVMS Cluster software only expects the
  underlying communications to provide the specified latency and bandwidth.
 
