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.