Fiber media converters are used in networking more and more nowadays. Not the same as ordinary media converters, Fiber Media Converter is definitely an optical converter designed for the fiber optic area.

A fiber optic media converter is a simple networking device which makes it easy to connect two dissimilar media types such as twisted pair with fiber optic cabling. They were brought to the industry nearly 2 decades ago, and are essential in interconnecting fiber optic cabling-based systems with existing copper-based, structured cabling systems. They are also utilized in metropolitan area network (MAN) access and knowledge transport services to enterprise customers.

Fiber media converters support many different data communication protocols including Ethernet, 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 vary 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 perhaps link loss around the copper port.

Fiber media converters can connect different lan (LAN) media, modifying duplex and speed settings. Switching media converters can connect legacy 10BASE-T network segments to newer 100BASE-TX or 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet infrastructure. For instance, existing half-duplex hubs could be linked to 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet network segments over 100BASE-FX fiber.

When expanding the reach from the LAN to span multiple locations, media converters are useful in connecting multiple LANs to create one large campus area network that spans on the limited geographic area. As premises networks are primarily copper-based, fiber converter 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 could extend full-duplex data transmission up to 70 kilometers over one optical fiber.

The 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 like a cheap solution for those who want to buy switches for use with fiber but don’t have the funds to pay for them, they are able to buy ordinary switches and use fiber media converters to make use of with their fiber optic network.

Article Source: FiberStore.com