A fiber media converter is a cost-effective solution for transferring bandwidth and overcoming the distance limitation of traditional network cabling, which significantly increases the bandwidth and transmission distance of a Local Area Network (LAN) by utilizing fiber optics and integrating new equipment into the existing infrastructure.
This converter connects two different types of media. In general, a fiber optic media converter is a device that converts the electrical signal used in UTP cables into the optical waves used in fiber optic cables and vice versa.
The conversion of other signals into optical signals is done by a device called a “media converter.” A media converter, as the name suggests, converts information from one form to another. Among the most widely used converters is the converter for converting Ethernet network ports to fiber optic in fiber-to-the-desk systems or “fiber to the desk” (FTTD) Mobi, which is similar to the design of fiber optic networks in data centers. Today, in addition to converters, fiber optic network cards are also designed and supplied for various servers, computers, and storage hardware.
Types of fiber optic converters
Fiber optic converters are classified in different ways, and below, we will examine the most important ones.
POE fiber optic converter
This converter is generally used for devices that support POE capability. The POE converter does the same job as regular fiber optic converters, and it can also transmit power. With this feature, this converter can also supply power to one or two devices. These devices can include IP phones (under the network), WIFI devices, security cameras, etc.
Unmanaged Switches
This switch does not provide additional features such as network management and monitoring. Instead, it is very easy to use, and everyone, even beginners, can use it. Unmanaged switches start working after powering up and can be installed very easily. These switches have a lower price than the managed type.
Commercial Fiber Optic Switches
Commercial fiber optic switches have a power supply. These switches operate at controlled temperatures, from about 0 to 65 degrees, and are not capable of operating at very high or very low temperatures.
Industrial Fiber Optic Switches
Unlike commercial switches, industrial fiber optic switches can withstand very high or low temperatures from about -40 to 85 degrees. For this reason, they can be used in mining, oil and gas drilling, and building automation.
Mini and Standard Media Converter
The difference between these two converters is in the quality of the chips used in them. The chips in the mini converter are of higher quality than the standard converter. The mini converter also has a DIP switch. Hence, it is more popular and widely used than the standard model.
Fiber-to-fiber converter
A fiber-to-fiber converter is used to convert multimode fiber to single mode and dual fiber to single fiber by converting the wavelength between them. This converter is used especially in low-cost equipment that requires multimode signal type and, in some cases, single mode. Two of the most widely used fiber-to-fiber media converters include mode conversion and WDM OEO transponder.
Fiber-to-copper converter
This converter is one of the most important reasons for optimizing data transmission that is used in copper network infrastructures. Using it can make the system more resistant to noise and enable connection to high-speed networks. The following options can be mentioned as types of this converter.
Copper-to-fiber converter
Video to fiber converter
Ethernet to fiber converter
