TECHNOLOGYMaking life easier

NETWORKING PRODUCTS

Fiber Optic Cables

Media Converters

Switches

Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 a WAN 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.

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 and Telephone 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 .

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.

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

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.

Applications:• Mid-to-large sized LANs contain a number of linked 

managed switches.

• Small office/home office (SOHO) applications typically use a single switch.

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.

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.

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.

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.

THANK YOU