Do You Need Fiber Optic Cabling In Your Network Installations?

10/30/2014

Fiber optic cable gives an edge over other cables for transmitting information

Fiber optic cable is one of the most popular cabling options that businesses use to build their networks. Fiber optics uses a completely different technology for transmitting information i.e. they use light instead of electrical signals. The biggest advantages of using light for transmission of information are high speed and no electrical interference. These two features are perfect for installing the fiber optic cabling for any type of network installation. As the light signals encounter negligible resistance, so the fiber optic cables can be run over longer distances, without any need for signal cleaning or boosting. There are fiber optic cables that run for more than 5000 miles without any boosting or cleaning. Thus, you can imagine the kind of networks you can use these cables in.

High speed information transmission

Transmission speed gives fiber optics a definite edge over other cables as you will be able to transmit signals at an insane speed of 10 GB/sec. Even at such high speeds, the signals are not affected by any kind of interference and are really clear when compared to the traditional cables.

Network Interface Cards or NICs are really expensive

If you are contemplating of using fiber optic for your office network then cost is an important factor to consider. Fiber optic based networks are expensive and it is often not feasible for a small or medium sized business to build them. The NICs or Network Interface Cards can be really expensive and it is presently used to build large networks only. For instance, these cables are being used to make short runs and connect different networks and it is not put to use for complete wiring of the network.

Single-mode and multi-mode cables

The primary components of fiber-optic cable are core, cladding, buffer strength members and jacket. There are some cables that even have copper conductor which provides the necessary power to concentrators, repeaters and several other components. Fiber optic cables are available in the form of single-mode cables and multi-mode cables. The single-mode cable is very narrow and light is able to travel on a single path only. It is a very expensive cable and people often find it difficult to use. In the multi-mode cable, the core diameter is wider and light can take several paths to travel. However, there are signal distortions due to the multi-mode path used by light.

If you are to use the fiber optic cabling for your office network then not only the cost but the advantages and disadvantages of the cable should also be analyzed.

Advantages of using fiber optic are listed below:

The EMF devices seldom cause any kind of interference in fiber optic cables and similarly, fiber optic cables also do not interfere with the other network devices.
It is not easy to tap the signals transmitted by fiber optic cables because the signals can’t be monitored. Hence, the entire network is safe and secured.
It is probably the fastest cabling system that has ever been developed.
The loss rate is quite limited, which implies that even if the cabling system runs over a long distance, it is going to experience very little signal loss.
Since there are no high voltage power system attached to the cabling, so it is easier to handle the fiber optic cables.
It is extremely easy to install the fiber optic cables.

Some of the notable disadvantages that might deter your plans to use fiber optic cabling in your network installation are:

Huge costs are involved in procuring and installation of these cables.
Even the components like NICs are quite expensive.
Only trained individuals are able to install these cables
Parts often tend to break down

About Baron Telecommunications

Baron Telecommunications has been offering communication services for over 30 years now. We provide system assessment, installation, and ongoing service. We provide advanced products from Toshiba and Shoretel. Call us today on (360)285-3690 for all your communication needs.

9 Comments

rekha link

7/18/2017 02:20:48 am

great job, you explained things well. cheers!

Monika@extreme 10301 link

9/11/2018 12:22:55 am

Fiber optic network is quite important while network installations as it will help in increasing the speed of the network.

Adam Joseph link

10/1/2018 10:55:40 am

Fiber optics have a higher capacity. The amount of network bandwidth a fiber cable can carry easily exceeds that of a copper cable with similar thickness. Fiber cables rated at 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and even 100 Gbps are standard.

Rollball International Co. Ltd link

10/3/2018 11:04:59 pm

It’s really great information. I am really happy to say it’s an interesting post to read . I learn new information from your blog , you are doing a great job . Keep it up

Monika@cisco glc-sx-mm link

12/1/2018 09:49:51 pm

Fiber optics are the best one to use if one want to increase the speed of the internet. I am going to install this one. I hope this will really work for me.

Derek Dewitt link

2/8/2019 07:55:52 am

I like your point about how fiber optic cables don't cause any interference with other network devices. I can see this being useful in an office that uses several network devices close by. Not having to worry about interruptions or network errors would be ideal.

IT Solution link

2/24/2019 09:24:54 pm

For network cabling, fiber optics are the best one for increasing the speed of the internet and very useful in an office. I'm using fiber optics and I'm so very satisfied with my internet speed.

Hosea Moss link

7/19/2019 06:01:21 am

Both copper and fiber optic industry are growing potentially and increasing the standard of their products consistently. Fiber optic cabling is a technology with many advantages. Fiber optic cable uses light waves to transmit data. Well, fiber optic transmission is incredibly fast. It is not susceptible to radio frequency interference. The user can transmit information over exceptionally long distances without much data loss. Hacking optical fiber is possible. But hacking fiber optic network is much harder than hacking a copper network.

Fay link

3/26/2020 08:48:15 am

It is so important how you said that fiber optic is one of the fastest cabling systems that has ever been invented and created, and I think I need to remember this. Recently I moved to a new house with my fiance and he told me that we have decided that it would be a good idea for us to find someone that could install fiber optic services for it because now we are both working form home. It will be great if we start doing some research on local services that could help us achieve this goal so we can have a more efficient way to connect to the internet.