Monday, November 18, 2013
Tackling 3 fiber-optic network myths
Max Burkhalter
Integrating fiber optics into enterprise networks may seem like a challenge but there are many myths regarding fiber-optic networks. Once cleared up, many companies may find that fiber holds the answer for their LAN needs. Investing in fiber-optic networking solutions can provide many benefits for federal and commercial organizations over their legacy, copper-based Ethernet networks.
Security is a concern with fiber
Many firms that question the security of fiber-optic cables are unaware of the advantages they offer. Not only is fiber untappable, but most vendors provide increased security efforts to ensure that enterprise application of fiber-optic networks are secure and reliable. Adding in higher-quality media converter solutions will ensure that networks are secure, even at splitting points where fiber to Ethernet changes are made.
Fiber costs more
Not only is this myth completely untrue, but fiber will save firms more money as well as cost less. Traditional fiber-optic cables cost less than their copper equivalents, and with reduced maintenance and upkeep demands, will keep costs lower over time. Beyond these factors, fiber utilizes less power and is more flexible, reducing energy costs for power, cooling and heating where cabling runs. The reduced weight of fiber cabling allows companies to install it in more convenient areas and run cable more efficiently, potentially reducing the cost of running cable as well.
Fiber is harder to expand upon
The same properties that make it impossible to tap fiber-optic cables also make it harder to split and expand upon a network later on, but this can be avoided by investing in the proper supporting technology, such as fiber optic converter tools and fiber to copper solutions. This hardware will eliminate latency across broad, multi-system networks and ensure compatibility, while helping companies be able to better adapt their network infrastructure down the road.
Any investment into fiber-optic technology can be beneficial to a business, but it requires having the right approach and support to ensure success. Investing early in high-quality hardware, focusing on full support of the investment and being prepared for challenges will allow firms to avoid risks, bust myths and optimize their use of this excellent technology. Getting higher speeds, better connections and a more efficient network system will provide ROI a company needs to legitimize making the shift to fiber.
Perle has an extensive range of Managed and Unmanaged Fiber Media Converters to extended copper-based Ethernet equipment over a fiber optic link, multimode to multimode and multimode to single mode fiber up to 160km.