A fiber media converter connects standard optical interfaces with electrical interfaces; links single mode fibers with multimode fiber cables; adapts dissimilar data rates; and converts different transmission protocols. It is a cost- effective solution for those who want to buy switches to use with fiber but they are too expensive, they can easily buy ordinary switches and use fiber media converters to achieve their fiber network.
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. Options exist for many distances to suit the needs of a particular Ethernet to fiber application. And, fiber interface connectors can be dual ST, dual SC, dual LC or single SC type.
The most common type of Ethernet Fiber Converter is a standalone device (managed or unmanaged) with its own power adapter. They convert fixed speed Fast Ethernet, Gigabit or rate converting 10/100/1000 UTP links to 100Base-FX or 1000Base-X fiber connections. When large density media converters are required, chassis-based systems are also available. These rack mountable units can house up to 19 managed or unmanaged media converter modules providing redundant power for AC and 48v DC environments.
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. They are important in interconnecting fiber optic cabling-based systems with existing copper-based, structured cabling systems.
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 160 kilometers with 1550 nm optics.
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.
Other benefits of media conversion include providing a gradual migration path from copper to fiber. Fiber connections can reduce electromagnetic interference.
Fiber media converters are used in networking more and more often currently. Different from tranditional media converters, Fiber Media Converter is definitely an optical converter designed for the fiber optic area. The development of fiber optic media converter increases with a sharp in demand for network capacity, the type like Gigabit Ethernet Converter and complexity of optical media converter are developed at an alarming rate.
