Why do many optical nodes accept two independent power supplies?

Many optical nodes are designed to accept two independent power supplies primarily for redundant powering of the node. Redundant power supplies enhance the reliability and availability of the network by ensuring that if one power source fails, the other can immediately take over without interrupting the service. This redundancy is especially critical in telecommunications and data services, where consistent performance and uptime are paramount to prevent outages and maintain customer satisfaction.

In the context of telecommunications infrastructure, having an additional power supply also aligns with best practices for minimizing downtime. Should maintenance be required on one of the power supplies, the node remains operational due to the presence of the second supply. This design consideration is a key aspect of system resilience and is a common standard in critical infrastructure management.

Other options, such as reducing overall system costs or facilitating remote monitoring, are important but do not directly address the primary reason for utilizing double power supplies. Compliance with regulations may apply in specific contexts but is not the fundamental reason for redundancy in power supply design in optical nodes.