Tag Archives: Ethernet Media Converter

Introduction of Media Converter

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There is no doubt that Ethernet fiber-optic communications provide many advantages over copper based Ethernet communications. These include immunity to noise and further distance capabilities. Systems that require fiber-optic communication can use switches that contain built-in fiber optic ports. However, if your switch does not have built-in fiber optic ports or does not have enough fiber-optic ports, then a media converter will be needed to convert copper based communications to fiber-optic communications. This article will review the different types of media converters and provide information on the wide variety of applications for media converters.

What is a Media Converter?

Media ConverterMedia converters are flexible and cost-effective devices for implementing and optimizing fiber links in all types of networks. Media converters enable you to connect different types of media, such as twisted pair, fiber, and coax, within a network. The most widely used converters are probably the ones used to convert computers UTP Ethernet ports to fiber. This enables you the ability extend your Ethernet network beyond the 100-meter limit imposed by copper cable. Besides, some other converters also convert multi-mode to single-mode, convert analog signals to digital, multiplex several signals over one fiber pair, or perform other signal processing. In a word, as a device to converter one media to another, media converters are really working.

Types of Media Converter

There are a wide variety of media converters available that support different network protocols, data rates, cabling and connector types. Two main kinds of media converters are copper-to-fiber media converter and fiber-to-fiber media converter.

Copper-to-Fiber Media Converters

The most common type of media converter is a device that functions as a transceiver, which is used to convert the electrical signal used in copper UTP network cabling into light waves used in fiber optic cabling. Fiber optic connectivity is necessary when the distance between two network devices exceeds the transmission distance of copper cabling. Copper-to-fiber conversion using media converters enables two network devices with copper ports to be connected over extended distances via fiber optic cabling.

Copper-to-Fiber Media Converter

  • Ethernet Copper-to-Fiber Media Converters
    Supporting the IEEE 802.3 standard, Ethernet copper-to-fiber media converters are used to provide connectivity for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet devices. Hence these converters are also usually divided into Fast Ethernet media converter, Gigabit media converter and 10 Gigabit media converter. The diagram below shows a typical application where Ethernet Media Converters connect to Ethernet Switches by way of Multimode fiber and UTP copper cabling.

Ethernet Media Converter

  • TDM Copper-to-Fiber Media Converters
    The most common TDM copper-to-fiber converters are T1/E1 and T3/E3 converters, which provide a reliable and cost-effective method to extend traditional TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) telecom protocols copper connections using fiber optic cabling. T3/E3 and T1/E1 converters usually operate in pairs extending distances of TDM circuits over fiber, improving noise immunity, quality of service, intrusion protection and network security.
  • Serial-to-Fiber Media Converters
    Serial-to-fiber converters provide fiber extension for serial protocol copper connections. They can automatically detect the signal baud rate of the connected Full-Duplex serial device, and support point-to-point and multi-point configurations.

Fiber-to-Fiber Media Converters

Fiber-to-fiber media converters can provide connectivity between multi-mode (MM) and single-mode (SM) fiber, between different power fiber sources and between dual fiber and single-fiber. In addition, they support conversion from one wavelength to another. Fiber-to-fiber media converters are normally protocol independent and available for Ethernet, and TDM applications.

  • Multi-mode to Single-mode Converters
    Enterprise networks often require conversion from MM to SM fiber, which supports longer distances than MM fiber. Mode conversion is typically required when lower cost legacy equipment uses MM ports but connectivity is required to SM equipment, a building has MM equipment, while the connection to the service provider is SM, and MM equipment is in a campus building but SM fiber is used between buildings.

Multi-mode to Single-mode Fiber Converters

  • Dual Fiber to Single-Fiber Converters
    Enterprise networks may also require conversion between dual and single-fiber, depending on the type of equipment and the fiber installed in the facility. Single-fiber is single-mode and operates with bi-directional wavelengths, often referred to as BIDI. Typically BIDI single-fiber uses 1310nm and 1550nm wavelengths over the same fiber strand in opposite directions. The development of bi-directional wavelengths over the same fiber strand was the precursor to Wavelength Division Multiplexing.

Dual Fiber to Single-Fiber Converters

Applications of Media Converter

Media converters do more than convert copper-to-fiber and convert between different fiber types. Media converters for Ethernet networks can support integrated switch technology, and provide the ability to perform 10/100 and 10/100/1000 rate switching. Additionally, media converters can support advanced bridge features which including VLAN, Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization, Port Access Control and Bandwidth Control and really facilitate the deployment of new data, voice and video to end users. Media converters can provide all these sophisticated switch capabilities in a small, cost-effective device.

How Fiber Media Converter Works

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If you have a network that uses the older type of copper cables and another network that utilizes faster and more reliable fiber optic cables, it is possible to connect them together by using a special product named Fiber Media Converter. A media converter changes signals on a copper cable to signals that run on fiber, make one cable “look” like another cable without changing the nature of the network. Due to this function, network executives who need to upgrade their systems from copper to fiber but don’t have the budget, manpower or time, just turn to media converters.

Fiber Optic Media Converter is a small device with two media-dependent interfaces and a power supply, simply receive data signals from one media, convert and transmit them to another media. It can be installed almost anywhere in a network. The style of connector depends on the selection of media to be converted by the unit. In a Fast Ethernet environment, a 100Base-TX to 100Base-FX Media Converter connects a 100Base-TX twisted-pair device to a 100Base-FX compliant single or multimode fiber port that has a fiber-optic connector. In a Gigabit Ethernet, a media converter commonly is deployed to convert multimode to single-mode fiber. Media converters are designed to be implemented in Ethernet networks and some ATM applications. Media converters are also playing a role in facilitating the optical last-mile connection to metropolitan-area networks.

How does a fiber optic media converter work?

Media converters work on the physical layer of the network. They receive data signals from one media and convert them to another while remaining invisible to data traffic and other net devices. They do not interfere with upper-level protocol information. This lets them support quality of service and Layer 3 switching.

Media converters change the format of an Ethernet-based signal on Cat-5 into a format compatible with fiber optics. At the other end of the fiber cable run, a second media converter is used to change the data back to its original format. One important difference to note between Cat-5 and fiber is that Cat-5 cables and RJ45 jacks are bidirectional while fiber is not. Thus, every fiber run in a system must include two fiber cables, one carrying data in each direction. These are typically labeled transmit (or Tx) and receive (or Rx).

Media Converters can function in either half-duplex or full duplex mode. Full duplex Ethernet over UTP runs at 20 or 200Mbps, while half-duplex Ethernet over UTP runs at either 10 or 100 Mbps. Full duplex Ethernet is especially valuable in linking two switches or connecting a switch to a file server. No adjustments are necessary when using either mode. A Fiber Optic Media Converter will automatically sense which mode is in operation.

There are several types of fiber optic media converters available, such as Ethernet Media Converter, 10/100/1000 Media Converters, Gigabit Ethernet Converter, Mulitmode Singlemode Media Converter, 10 Gigabit Ethernet Converter, Media Converter Rack Chassis, etc.

Attention:
Fiber optic converter should be placed in a secure location that can not be disturbed by people or machinery. Every computer connected to the fiber optic cable will lose it’s internet connection if the converter is removed or broken. Converters contain special materials that only work properly in specific temperature ranges so it is important to keep them in controlled temperature rooms that never get too hot or cold.

Overview Fiber Media Converter From FiberStore

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Fiber Media Converter is a simple network equipment, supporting a number of different data communication protocols, including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Serial Datacom interfaces, E1 or T1 voice/data communications and multiple wiring types, such as coaxial cable, twisted pair, single mode and multimode optical fiber. Media conversion types range from small independent equipment and PC card converter, high-end mouth density chassis provides many advanced features, network management system.

Fiber media converters are key components of optical networking because its long distance operation, high bandwidth capacity and reliability make fiber optics the most desired channel for data communications. Instead of costly, across-the-board upgrades, media converters can extend the productive life of the existing cabling as well as the active equipment.FiberStore offer a full range of fiber media converters such as Ethernet Media Converter, 10/100/1000 media converters, Gigabit Ethernet converters, multimode singlemode media converter and media converter rack chassis on sale at reasonable prices and worldwide delivery,the Ethernet Media Converter is the most common type of fiber optic media converter,to visit fs.com to choose your Fiber Media Converters now.Buy with confidence.

Ethernet Media Converter can connect to various optical fiber cable such as multimode, single mode or single strand fiber cable. 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.

Why use media converters at all? This question does not have a technical answer but the answer is more commercial – media converters do not require fiber enabled switches (they can be used even with unmanaged entry level switches) and hence the connectivity solution is cost effective. For a single fiber link, changing the whole switches and buying fiber modules at either end might be a more expensive proposition. But direct termination of fiber links on network switches is also highly recommended.

Not only that, the media converter offers more choices, you can buy a single pair of media converter (stand alone devices) at either end or get a Media Converter Chassis based system, where you can insert multiple media converters from 1 to 18/19 in single increments, they are also support hot swappable, switch with redundant power supplies and power source consolidation.But network switches come with more rigid configurations – 2, 4, 24 or 48 ports only. If you want 5 fiber connections, for example, you may need to buy two network switches with 4 fiber ports each and 24/48 copper ports each irrespective of whether you are going to use the remaining fiber and copper ports! And yeah, some of the network switches do not have fiber interfaces at all.

Reading this article to fiber media converter, if you need the fiber optic transmission products, hurry up to visit Fiberstore.