Advantages of fiber optic cabling compared to UTP

1545 pts.
Fiber optic networking
Unshielded twisted pair cable

Answer Wiki


Using Fiber over UTP is normally done for distance due to the extremely high costs. Fiber is used for various applications, backbone applications being one. In some cases fiber is used inside a building (for instance server to server connections, where the highest levels of security are needed, or for storage area networks). The electronics that operate over fiber are higher than those for copper as an optical conversion is needed to do this. In some cases, fiber may provide lower latency over copper counterparts, but that is dependent on the electronics and protocols in use. Also in some areas where noise is an issue, fiber is not affected by electromagnetic or RF noise.

Distance is the main factor, especially with emerging standards for newer UTP standards, because standard cat5 cable can only go 100 meters, (328 feet), before you start having signaling problems and it is also susceptible to Electromagnetic interference.

You can also use fiber instead of UTP if you are going from building to building and there are storm issues. at one company that I worked at they installed fiber between two buildings even though they were very close because lightning storms had damaged equipment hooked to the copper UTP lines before.

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  • FM_No_Static_At_All
    You bring up an excellent point. Server to server security makes real good sense, and using fiber to the desktop in mission critical applications would be most beneficial to those financial institutions (I have been a systems administrator at one in the past) that need to provide service to their customers. Guess we'll have to press the technology into the light based paradigm where the CPU transmits through an optical channel to the data bus connection on the motherboard, and then we'll need fiber optic to the display, and it would then be impervious to EMI of any type. But also, we are still at the mercy of the power utility, so if they go down, only those fortunate enough to have adequate generators will stay open for business. Perhaps it is time to rethink how we generate and receive electricity, but that another story.
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  • Asouzu63
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  • Pop59
    There are several advantages for using fiber optics instead copper cabling. Longer distances, higher bandwidth, you don't have to pull out cables to use new technology it is enough that you change the equipment and connectors at the ends, security issue (there is no emission so it can not be tapped without action on the fiber core, what can be detected), SiO2 is dielectric so you can use it in power plants, along the high voltage cables there is no induction, and no interference on the signal which is running through optical fibers. But connectors, splicers, measuring equipment, transmission equipment is expensive. So think twice do you really need fiber optics, and believe me with new technologies you do. If you are thinking about fiber networking, it is common networking knowledge, but using fiber optics instead of copper, with all necessary precautions. Good luck!
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  • Sanjay1190

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