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.
