Fiber media converter
Encyclopedia
Fiber media converters are simple networking
devices that make it possible to connect two dissimilar media types such as twisted pair with fiber optic cabling
. They were introduced to the industry nearly two decades ago, and are important in interconnecting fiber optic cabling-based systems with existing copper-based, structured cabling
systems. They are also used in MAN
access and data transport services to enterprise
customers.
, Fast Ethernet
, Gigabit Ethernet
, T1/E1/J1, DS3/E3
, as well as multiple cabling types such as coax
, twisted pair
, multi-mode
and single-mode
fiber optics. Media converter types range from small standalone devices and PC card
converters to high port-density chassis systems that offer many advanced features for network management.
On some devices, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
enables proactive management of link status, monitoring chassis environmental statistics and sending traps
to network managers in the event of a fiber break or even link loss on the copper port.
Fiber media converters can connect different Local area network
(LAN) media, modifying duplex and speed settings. Switching media converters can connect legacy 10BASE-T
network segments to more recent 100BASE-TX or 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet infrastructure. For example, existing Half-Duplex
hubs can be connected to 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet network segments over 100BASE-FX fiber.
When expanding the reach of the LAN to span multiple locations, media converters are useful in connecting multiple LANs to form one large campus area network
that spans over a limited geographic area. As premises networks are primarily copper-based, media converters can extend the reach of the LAN over single-mode fiber up to 130 kilometers with 1550 nm optics.
Wavelength-division multiplexing
(WDM) technology in the LAN is especially beneficial in situations where fiber is in limited supply or expensive to provision. As well as conventional dual strand fiber converters, with separate receive and transmit ports, there are also single strand fiber converters, which can extend full-duplex data transmission up to 70 kilometers over one optical fiber.
Other benefits of media conversion include providing a gradual migration path from copper to fiber. Fiber connections can reduce electromagnetic interference.
Also fiber media converters pose as a cheap solution for those who want to buy switches for use with fiber but do not have the funds to afford them , they can buy ordinary switches and use fiber media converters to use with their fiber network.
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
devices that make it possible to connect two dissimilar media types such as twisted pair with fiber optic cabling
Optical fiber
An optical fiber is a flexible, transparent fiber made of a pure glass not much wider than a human hair. It functions as a waveguide, or "light pipe", to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber. The field of applied science and engineering concerned with the design and application of...
. They were introduced to the industry nearly two decades ago, and are important in interconnecting fiber optic cabling-based systems with existing copper-based, structured cabling
Structured cabling
Structured cabling is building or campus telecommunications cabling infrastructure that consists of a number of standardized smaller elements called subsystems.Structured cabling falls into six subsystems:...
systems. They are also used in MAN
Metropolitan area network
A metropolitan area network is a computer network that usually spans a city or a large campus. A MAN usually interconnects a number of local area networks using a high-capacity backbone technology, such as fiber-optical links, and provides up-link services to wide area networks and the...
access and data transport services to enterprise
Enterprise architecture
An enterprise architecture is a rigorous description of the structure of an enterprise, which comprises enterprise components , the externally visible properties of those components, and the relationships between them...
customers.
Media conversion types
Fiber media converters support many different data communication protocols including EthernetEthernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
, Fast Ethernet
Fast Ethernet
In computer networking, Fast Ethernet is a collective term for a number of Ethernet standards that carry traffic at the nominal rate of 100 Mbit/s, against the original Ethernet speed of 10 Mbit/s. Of the fast Ethernet standards 100BASE-TX is by far the most common and is supported by the...
, Gigabit Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet is a term describing various technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second , as defined by the IEEE 802.3-2008 standard. It came into use beginning in 1999, gradually supplanting Fast Ethernet in wired local networks where it performed...
, T1/E1/J1, DS3/E3
Digital Signal 3
A Digital Signal 3 is a digital signal level 3 T-carrier. It may also be referred to as a T3 line.*The data rate for this type of signal is 44.736 Mbit/s.*This level of carrier can transport 28 DS1 level signals within its payload....
, as well as multiple cabling types such as coax
Coaxial cable
Coaxial cable, or coax, has an inner conductor surrounded by a flexible, tubular insulating layer, surrounded by a tubular conducting shield. The term coaxial comes from the inner conductor and the outer shield sharing the same geometric axis...
, twisted pair
Twisted pair
Twisted pair cabling is a type of wiring in which two conductors are twisted together for the purposes of canceling out electromagnetic interference from external sources; for instance, electromagnetic radiation from unshielded twisted pair cables, and crosstalk between neighboring pairs...
, multi-mode
Multi-mode optical fiber
Multi-mode optical fiber is a type of optical fiber mostly used for communication over short distances, such as within a building or on a campus...
and single-mode
Single-mode optical fiber
In fiber-optic communication, a single-mode optical fiber is an optical fiber designed to carry only a single ray of light . Modes are the possible solutions of the Helmholtz equation for waves, which is obtained by combining Maxwell's equations and the boundary conditions...
fiber optics. Media converter types range from small standalone devices and PC card
Network card
A network interface controller is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network....
converters to high port-density chassis systems that offer many advanced features for network management.
On some devices, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Simple Network Management Protocol
Simple Network Management Protocol is an "Internet-standard protocol for managing devices on IP networks. Devices that typically support SNMP include routers, switches, servers, workstations, printers, modem racks, and more." It is used mostly in network management systems to monitor...
enables proactive management of link status, monitoring chassis environmental statistics and sending traps
Trap (computing)
In computing and operating systems, a trap, also known as an exception or a fault, is typicallyThere is a wide variation in the nomenclature...
to network managers in the event of a fiber break or even link loss on the copper port.
Fiber media converters can connect different Local area network
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
(LAN) media, modifying duplex and speed settings. Switching media converters can connect legacy 10BASE-T
10BASE-T
Ethernet over twisted pair technologies use twisted-pair cables for the physical layer of an Ethernet computer network. Other Ethernet cable standards employ coaxial cable or optical fiber. Early versions developed in the 1980s included StarLAN followed by 10BASE-T. By the 1990s, fast, inexpensive...
network segments to more recent 100BASE-TX or 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet infrastructure. For example, existing Half-Duplex
Duplex (telecommunications)
A duplex communication system is a system composed of two connected parties or devices that can communicate with one another in both directions. The term multiplexing is used when describing communication between more than two parties or devices....
hubs can be connected to 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet network segments over 100BASE-FX fiber.
When expanding the reach of the LAN to span multiple locations, media converters are useful in connecting multiple LANs to form one large campus area network
Campus area network
A campus network, campus area network, corporate area network or CAN is a computer network made up of an interconnection of local area networks within a limited geographical area...
that spans over a limited geographic area. As premises networks are primarily copper-based, media converters can extend the reach of the LAN over single-mode fiber up to 130 kilometers with 1550 nm optics.
Wavelength-division multiplexing
Wavelength-division multiplexing
In fiber-optic communications, wavelength-division multiplexing is a technology which multiplexes a number of optical carrier signals onto a single optical fiber by using different wavelengths of laser light...
(WDM) technology in the LAN is especially beneficial in situations where fiber is in limited supply or expensive to provision. As well as conventional dual strand fiber converters, with separate receive and transmit ports, there are also single strand fiber converters, which can extend full-duplex data transmission up to 70 kilometers over one optical fiber.
Other benefits of media conversion include providing a gradual migration path from copper to fiber. Fiber connections can reduce electromagnetic interference.
Also fiber media converters pose as a cheap solution for those who want to buy switches for use with fiber but do not have the funds to afford them , they can buy ordinary switches and use fiber media converters to use with their fiber network.
See also
- Gigabit interface converter
- Fiber-optic communicationFiber-optic communicationFiber-optic communication is a method of transmitting information from one place to another by sending pulses of light through an optical fiber. The light forms an electromagnetic carrier wave that is modulated to carry information...
- Small form-factor pluggable transceiver