Fiber Optics for Security: Don’t be afraid to add fiber to your diet…

If you think fiber optic cable and its installation are too expensive, you may be missing out.

While fiber offers a myriad of benefits over copper in Ethernet applications, many integration companies haven’t invested in the technology and manpower to deliver the installations.

Prices have come down significantly for both single and multi-mode fiber. Cable termination has become very simple thanks to automated termination, eliminating the need to precisely cut and polish the ends.

Here are a few good reasons to look at fiber for your next IP application:

• Transmit Gigabit Ethernet longer distances than copper
• Direct hit lightning strike damage is limited to edge devices
• Not susceptible to EMI or ground loops
• Future proof your network! Think 5 years down the line, you may be needing 10Gig, and copper will be very limited with how far you can go

Common misconceptions about utilizing fiber optic cable:

• Multi-Mode(MM) fiber and the products that connect to them are less expensive than Single-Mode(SM). This was very true for analog products, but in today’s SFP based world, (want to learn about SFPs click here) that is simply not true. A SM SFP is the same cost as a MM SFP for most applications.
• The fiber that is already run is MM, so I need to stay with MM if I am laying new fiber. This is false. SFPs allow seamless use of mixed cable types. It is perfectly acceptable to have both SM and MM and Copper all coming and going from the same switch.

Why should you consider Single-Mode fiber if you are installing new cable?

• virtually same cost as MM cable
• longer distances for Gig and 10Gig applications. Gig over MM can be as short as 220m! 

Don’t be afraid to make the transition. The applications and market for fiber will continue to grow as IP devices steadily replace analog. Distances from edge devices will frequently be longer than the 90 meter limitation of copper without using special adapters, see blog topic here. Learning about and embracing fiber will benefit you and your customers in the long run.

For lunch and learn opportunities, contact Jeff Leite, Northeast Regional Sales Manager, at jleite@comnet.net or (303) 995-5182

For project assistance, contact our security and infrastructure experts here.