Choosing the Best Fiber Optic Network Cable for Your Needs

Fiber optic network cable has become a popular choice amongst consumers with evident advantages such as electrical resistance immunity, high bandwidth and reliability. However, since this is a relatively newer technology, it can be confusing to choose the appropriate products as per individual requirements.

Comprehensive Assessment

When it comes to fiber optic network cable installation, requirements of individual networks should be assessed. Appropriate fiber selection depends upon the kind of application. If an existing fiber optic network is upgraded, the kind of fiber optic network cable used will be dramatically different from the kind of cables used to connect with surveillance cameras. If this entails connections into a multitude of service applications like environment control, physical security or data, the strand count of the fiber optic network cable will be different. Upcoming capacity requirements as well as applications should be considered. Assess aspects like transmission distances, bandwidth needs, network architecture as well as kind of applications to decide on the selection of fiber optic network cable. Both current as well as potential fiber optic network cable usage must be considered.

Single-mode or Multimode

Applications covering short distances can use multimode fiber optic network cable. Ideal uses for such kinds of cables are within data center connections. Multimode cables are economical choices for such applications. There are various performance levels within the multimode fiber optic network cable such as OM1 comprising legacy systems already installed, OM2 for Gigabit Ethernet distances within 550 m as well as OM3 for distances within 300 m. The much-anticipated OM4 is expected to support Gigabit Ethernet distances within 550 m and 10G applications.

While multimode fiber optic network cable is best suited for short distances, the single-mode cables provide unlimited bandwidth and hence represent ideal choices when it comes to metropolitan networks or campuses. The presence of high intensity lasers helps transfer data across large distances. In single-mode cables, the OS1 variety is used for support of communications services while the OS2 can contain larger bandwidths.

Connectors

Connectors are responsible for information flow across one fiber optic network cable to the other. Most networks use ST connectors while some use SC connectors, which have higher performance. The LC connector is perfect when space is a constraint and offers higher fiber density.

Performance of the Network

Once connectors of the fiber optic network cable are chosen, assessment of interface options becomes important to ensure network performance. Typical networks use fiber optic network cable interfaces called GBIC or GigaBit Interface Converters. The costs range from 250 to 1000 dollars but the advantage is that they can accommodate various device applications.  

Fiber Optic Network Cable Protection

Protection of the fiber optic network cable depends on the particular application. As an example, within pathway spaces, fiber optic network cable upgrade can be an issue since inner duct is used for fiber protection. The process in such cases is time-consuming because the technician has to install this inner duct throughout the pathway and pull out the fiber optic network cable from the inner duct.

Deciding on the required applications as well as capabilities required are critical to determining the kind of fiber optic network cable you need.