Fiber Optic Network

reaser · Post by **reaser** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 1:46 pm

With Verizon Fios coming into my house I was thinking what advantages would I have by running all fiber or at least some fiber to my PCs. I would like my media center to have a direct fiber connection as well as server and with that only leaves one other desktop so I might as well just run fiber to all 3 machines.

The only switches i've seen have one or 2 connections for fiber and then rj45 ports from 24 on up. Is there a switch that handles a series of fiber connections like i've mentioned?

mccoffee · Post by **mccoffee** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:58 pm

Why would need fiber to the switch when you could just use copper ,but there is probably a few mid commerical grades that support enthernet and fiber..

I'm not sure what you are trying to gain buy using fiber when you could just go giga ethernet imho..

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 7:49 pm

No advantage to running fiber to your PCs throughout the house, and it'll be wicked expensive. You won't have > gigabit broadband connection, so plain old fast ethernet 100 meg cat5 will be fine. cat5e if you want a gigabit LAN.

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:23 pm

I agree with mccoffee and YeOldeStonecat.. use Cat-5 or Cat-5e for Gigabit.. way cheaper. I was in one of the "cheap" stores near my house.. and they were selling 60" CAT-5e cables for a dollar a piece. Very Happy.

The only other thing I will mention about fiber, is that it is a bit more secure as it is usually run underground and its hard to splice / tap into. Also fiber does not radiate emissions , Cat-5 does... that is why some business like it.