Overview
Integrate Copper and Fiber in Point-to-Point Ethernet Networks
Copper-to-Fiber Media Converters are flexible and cost-effective devices for implementing and optimizing fiber links in all types of networks. 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.
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 features including VLAN, Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization, Port Access Control and Bandwidth Control. These features facilitate the deployment of new data, voice and video services to end users. Media converters can provide all these sophisticated switch capabilities in a small, cost-effective device.
Deployed in Enterprise, Government, Data Center, and Telecom networks, media converters have become the Swiss army knife of networking to enable connectivity and fiber distance extension.
Products
Copper-to-Fiber Ethernet Media Converters
iConverter® Managed Media Converters
iConverter Managed Media Converters are part of the modular iConverter Multi-Service Platform of media converter, transponder, NID, and multiplexer modules. These network modules can be combined in a variety of chassis configurations to provide a managed, flexible and scalable architecture for today’s evolving fiber networks.
FlexPoint™ Unmanaged Media Converters
FlexPoint Unmanaged Media Converters are compact network devices that provide unmanaged copper-to-fiber and fiber-to-fiber media conversion. FlexPoint media converters support a variety of network protocols, data rates and cabling media types for flexible fiber network connectivity.
miConverter™ Miniature Media Converters
miConverter Miniature Media Converters provide cost-effective integration of Ethernet copper network devices and fiber network cabling. These compact unmanaged converter modules can be powered by an external AC power supply or a USB port for fiber-to-the-desktop/laptop deployments.
Point to Point Application
Ethernet Point-to-Point Application Example
This application example demonstrates how to deploy Omnitron standalone media converters and provide seamless integration of different Ethernet cabling media. Omnitron copper-to-fiber media converters support a variety of cabling and connectors, different network protocols, and data rates from 10Mbps to 10G.
A pair of copper-to-fiber media converters is used to connect two copper switches via fiber. A workstation and a server are also connected to the network using pairs of copper-to-fiber media converters.
Server Application
Gigabit Server and Workstation Connectivity
In this application example, a Gigabit switch with copper RJ-45 ports is connected to remote servers and workstations with fiber.
A 1U high iConverter 5-Module chassis is installed in a network rack with a Gigabit switch. Four iConverter GX/TM2plug-in media converter modules are installed in the chassis, and provide managed copper-to-fiber conversion. The GX/TM2 plug-in media converters (also known as Network Interface Devices) feature built-in SNMP management for remote configuration, fault management, and VLAN with Quality of Service.
GX/TM2 media converters support a variety of fixed fiber connectors, or they can use Small Form Pluggable (SFP) transceivers. The four fiber links shown can be dual or single-fiber, multimode or single-mode, and can run to remote locations up to 160km away.
Two GX/TM2 standalone media converters connect the copper ports on the servers to the fiber links.
Two more GX/TM2 standalone media converters connect workstations to the switch, enabling Gigabit fiber-to-the-desktop.
Note that FlexPoint or miConverter media converters can also be deployed in unmanaged Gigabit server connectivity applications.
Star Topology Application
Point-to-Point Star Topology Copper and Fiber Network
In this application example, Gigabit media converters are deployed in a star topology network with multiple fiber links distributed from a central location. Omnitron Ethernet media converters provide copper-to-fiber conversion for data rates of 10Mbps up to 1 Gigabit.
At Building A, a FlexPoint 14-Module Chassis with FlexPoint GX/T media converters is used to convert the RJ-45 ports from the copper switch to fiber links that run to different locations throughout the campus.
At Building B, the fiber is connected directly to an Ethernet switch with a Gigabit fiber port.
At Buildings C and D, FlexPoint GX/T media converters provide copper-to-fiber connectivity to department switches, and bridging between the Gigabit fiber and the 10/100 switches.
Notes:
miConverter GX/T media converters and the miConverter 18-Module Chassis can also be used in this unmanaged application.
Media converters provide transparent network connectivity, so the switches in the network can be managed via SNMP management software. iConverter managed copper-to-fiber media converters and Network Interface Devices can be deployed for managed fiber infrastructure with remote configuration, performance monitoring and fault notification.
Also See: iConverter media converters deployed in a managed campus LAN network.
