3. FIBER OPTIC CABLES
• Fiber optic cable is a high-speed data transmission medium. It
contains tiny glass or plastic filaments that carry light beams.
• Digital data is transmitted through the cable via rapid pulses of light.
• The receiving end of a fiber optic transmission translates the light
pulses into binary values, which can be read by a computer.
4. Features:
• Common features of fiber optic cables include polarization maintaining,
graded index, and metallized.
• A polarization maintaining cable has fiber that maintains the polarization of
light that enters it.
• Metallized fibers are coated with metals for increased temperature
resistance, soldering, and harsh environments
Types :
• Simplex- Simplex cables are fiber optic cables with a single optical fiber.They
are used in applications that only require one-way data transfer.
• Duplex- Duplex cables are fiber optic cables with two optical fibers.They are
usually set up side-by-side and can be used for applications that require
simultaneous, bi-directional data transfer.
• Multifiber- Multifiber cable is a fiber optic cable with several optical fibers.
5. Advantages:
• Resistance to electromagnetic interference (EMI) because it does not use
electricity.
• Support high data transmission rates.
• Fiber optic cables do not produce sparks since they do not carry current.
The sparks ordinarily pose no danger, but can be really bad in a chemical
plant or oil refinery where the air is contaminated with potentially
explosive vapors.
• The most secure medium available for carrying sensitive data.
• Fiber cables are easier to install since they are smaller and more flexible.
• Fiber optics have a large capacity to carry high speed signals over longer
distances.
6. Applications:
• Telecommunication companies use fiber optic cables to transmit
telephone signals, Internet communication, and cable television signals.
• Long distance communication applications where they can be used to
their full transmission capacity and offset the cost of installation and
maintenance.
• Because fiber optics are so flexible and can transmit and receive light,
they are used in many flexible digital cameras for the following purposes:
Medical imaging - in bronchoscopes, endoscopes, laparoscopes.
Mechanical imaging - inspecting mechanical welds in pipes and engines
(in airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, cars).
Plumbing - to inspect sewer lines.
7. MEDIA CONVERTERS
• A media converter is a device which connects two dissimilar media
types such as twisted pair with fiber optic cabling.
• Media converters enable you to interconnect networks or network
devices with different speeds, operation types, modes and media
types.
8. Features:
• When a cable breaks on the fiber segment of a conversion, LinkLoss detects
the error and passes this information to the twisted-pair segment.
• What if only one strand of a fiber segment is broken?The Fiber Alert feature
enables the media converter at the receiver end to detect this type of link
loss.
• Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) Feature enables you to send more
than one optical signal through the same fiber strand.
Types :
• Basic Media Converter: A basic media converter is a device that
transparently passes through all information. Basic media converter
functions may include Fiber Alert, LinkLoss.
• Switched Media Converter : A switched media converter not only converts
media types and fiber mode but also speed and duplex mode.
• Managed Media Converter : A managed media converter can be controlled
and monitored locally and remotely.
9. Advantages:
• Cost Reduction: Media converters can be used with cost-effective
Ethernet switches to do the same job as expensive hybrid media
switches.
• Long Distance connectivity: Media converters can also be used with
fiber optic cabling to establish aWAN connection up to 100 kilometers.
• Flexibility and Simplification: Every device can also be smoothly
integrated into your workgroup or the enterprise-wide network,
regardless of the type of bit rate transparency or the bit rate conversion
that's supported.
• Ease of Use and High Availability: Media converters are much easier to
handle and to manage than higher-layer devices.
10. Applications:
• Video Surveillance : Depending on the camera installation, there are
media converters that can be used in a point-to-point configuration, or
that can multiplex several camera signals together to be transmitted
over one fiber link.
• Data andTelephone Communication: Media converters are available
for data protocols such as RS-232, RS-485, and RS-422 as well as for
telephone lines.
• Networking: Ideal for connecting networking equipment within a large
building or in a campus environment .
11. SWITCHES
• A switch is a device that is used to connect multiple hosts (PCs) to the
network .
• The basic function of any switch is to receive information from any
source connected to it and dispatch that information to the
appropriate destination only.
12. Features:
• Switches are intended for commercial use, built-in or modular interfaces
making it possible to connect different types of networks,
including Ethernet, Fibre Channel,ATM.
• The switch is used to create a mirror image of data that can go to an
external device.
Types :
• Modular switches, as the name implies, allows you to add expansion
modules into the switches as needed.
• Fixed Configuration switches are switches with a fixed number of ports
and are typically not expandable.
• Smart switches offer certain levels of Management, Security, etc. but is
“lighter” in capabilities and less scalable than the Managed switches
13. Advantages:
• Cost : For a cheaper cost you get switches with more number of
ports available than Routers.
• Reduces the number of Broadcast domains.
• Switches are more hardware oriented therefore operations are less CPU
intense[Basic operations]
• Increased available network bandwidth, reduced workload on individual
computers and Increased network performance.
• Switch is more secure, as it makes any port communicate directly with
any other port.
14. Applications:
• Mid-to-large sized LANs contain a number of linked managed switches.
• Small office/home office (SOHO) applications typically use a single
switch.
15. SMALL FORM-FACTOR PLUGGABLE (SFP)
• SFP is a device that is used to connect switches and routers to the
network.
• SFP transceivers are compatible with a number of communication
standards like Ethernet, SONET along with many other standards.
SFP is an upgraded version of Giga Bit Interface Converter (GBIC)
module.
16. Features:
• Flexibility of media and interface choice on a port-by-port basis, so
you can “pay as you populate” .
• Robust design for enhanced reliability .
• Supports digital optical monitoring (DOM) capability.
Types :
• Divided by rate : 155M/622M/1.25G/2.125G/4.25G/8G/10G,155M
and 1.25G is used more, 10G technology is maturing.
• Divided according to the wavelength :
850nm/1310nm/1550nm/1490nm/1530nm/1610nm.
17. Advantages:
• Hot swappable to maximize uptime and simplify serviceability.
• They provide a flexible and cost-effective solution for enterprise
networks, data centers, etc.
• SFP transceiver modules make the fiber optic network or fiber-Ethernet
network easier to upgrade.
• Power Consumption: 10GBase-T components today require anywhere
from 2 to 5 watts per port at each end of the cable –depending on the
distance of the cable –while SFP+ requires approximately 0.7 watt,
regardless of distance.
18. Applications:
• SFP sockets are found in Ethernet switches and network interface card.
• LAN, SAN (local, storage area networks).
• Switches/bridges/routers/servers.
• High-speed computer links.
