The Role of Fiber in Video Networks / IP Video Over OFC

As a kind of Media Converter, Fiber media converters this known as fiber transceivers or Ethernet media converters, are quite obvious networking devices those make it possible for connecting two dissimilar media types such as twisted pair Cat 5 or Cat 6 cable with fiber optic cabling. They may be essential in interconnecting fiber optic cabling-based systems with existing copper-based, structured cabling systems. Fiber ethernet media converters support many different communication protocols including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, as well as multiple cabling types such as twisted pair, multi-mode and single-mode fiber optics. Fiber media converters can connect different Local area network (LAN) media, modifying duplex and speed settings.

For video security and surveillance professionals, analog video-based CCTV systems have been the tried-and-true technology for many years. However, these same professionals are the first to recognize the migration of Ethernet into new applications beyond the typical office LAN and how Ethernet is playing a role and introducing new challenges to video security networking.

For years, Transition Networks has been talking about the benefit of fiber optic cabling and how media converters can provide a cost effective method of deploying fiber in local area networks and overcome the limitations and drawbacks of copper UTP cabling. These same benefits can be realized by security and surveillance professionals when they integrate fiber into their video networks.

For example, switching media converters can connect legacy 10BASE-T network segments to more modern 100BASE-TX or 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet infrastructure. For instance, existing Half-Duplex hubs may be attached to 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet network segments over 100BASE-FX fiber. When expanding the reach with the LAN to span multiple locations, fiber transceivers are useful in connecting multiple LANs to form one large campus area network that spans more than a wide geographic area.

Fiber media converters support a variety of data communication protocols including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, T1/E1/J1, DS3/E3, as well as multiple cabling types for example coax, twisted pair, multi-mode and single-mode fiber optics. Media Converter types range from small standalone devices and PC card converters to high port-density chassis systems offering many advanced features for network management.

On some devices, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) enables proactive management of link status, monitoring chassis environmental statistics and sending traps to network managers in case of a fiber break or perhaps link loss on the copper port.

Fiber media converters can connect different Local area network (LAN) media, modifying duplex and speed settings. Switching media converters can connect legacy 10BASE-T network segments to more recent 100BASE-TX or 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet infrastructure. For instance, existing Half-Duplex hubs can be linked to 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet network segments over 100BASE-FX fiber.

When expanding the reach of the LAN to span multiple locations, media converters are of help in connecting multiple LANs to make one large campus area network that spans more than a limited geographic area. As premises networks are primarily copper-based, media converters can extend the reach from the LAN over single-mode fiber approximately 130 kilometers with 1550 nm optics.

The coaxial cabling utilized in analog CCTV networks suffers from transmission distance issues. The accepted distance for coax is 185 meters. While this has worked well in the past, the demands for increasing the surveillance coverage have pushed camera locations beyond the standard distances.

As for Ethernet and IP cameras, this distance is even more restrictive at 100 meters. Offering transmission over greater distances, fiber cabling is starting to play a signifigant role in surveillance networks. Fiber cabling supports transmission distances up to 2km on multimode fiber without the need for repeaters or signal boosters - with even greater distances available on single mode fiber.

Indoor applications with florescent lights, electric motors, and other sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI) along with sources of radio frequency interference (RFI) can cause disruptions and poor picture quality issues for video over Coax and UTP cabling. The transmission from cameras located outdoors is susceptible to these same conditions as well as the effect from electrical/lightening storms. Due to the nature of how data is transmitted over fiber optic cabling, it does an excellent job of blocking this electrical interference and protecting the quality of the data.

Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technology in the LAN is very beneficial in situations where fiber is at limited supply or expensive for provision. In addition to conventional dual strand fiber converters, with separate receive and transmit ports, there are also single strand fiber converters, which can extend full-duplex data transmission approximately 70 kilometers more than one optical fiber.

 Other benefits of media conversion include providing a gentle migration path from copper to fiber. Fiber connections can help to eliminate electromagnetic interference. Also fiber media converters pose being a cheap solution for many who need it switches for use with fiber along with have enough money to pay for them, they can buy ordinary switches and make use of fiber media converters to make use of making use of their fiber network.

 As a fiber optic media converter, you can use it anywhere in the network to integrate newer technology with existing equipment to support new applications, technologies and future growth. Fiber Converters are key aspects of Optical Networking because its long distance operation, high bandwidth capacity and reliablity make fiber optics probably the most desired channel for data communications. Instead of costly, across-the-board upgrades, media converters can extend the productive lifetime of the existing cabling along with the active equipment. FiberStore offers a wide variety of professional fiber optic media converters for Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Serial Datacom interfaces and E1 or T1 voice/data communications.

To aid in the deployment of fiber in these security and surveillance networks, Transition Networks has specifically designed a copper to fiber media converter for analog video applications. These converters are available to support both fixed-focus cameras as well as pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras. As IP cameras begin to replace analog cameras, traditional Ethernet media converters can be used for the fiber integration. Most IP cameras also support power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology which makes installation of the cameras easier since the camera can be powered over the UTP Ethernet cable. PoE switches, PoE injectors, and PoE media converters are all available to create the functional network needed in today’s hybrid video security and surveillance applications.