Fiber Media Converters
Seamless communication between different types of cabling
Fiber Media Converters are critical in networks where fiber needs to be integrated with different kinds of cabling, such as copper or serial, to optimize performance, cost, and scalability. They convert the electrical signals used in these other types of cables into the light waves used in multimode or single mode fiber optic cabling, and vice versa.
Fiber Media Converters are also used to extend the data transmission distances of a fiber network by linking multimode to single mode or simply joining two multimode cables together.
Perle Systems designs and manufactures the most extensive Fiber Media Converter offering in the world. Use the quick links below to learn more about the various types of fiber media converters, the devices they can connect to, and the diverse environments in which they operate.
Perle Fiber Media Converters
Copper to Fiber
Connect 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1G, 2.5G or 10G Ethernet links over multimode or single mode fiber using SFP, Dual Fiber SC/ST/LC or Single Fiber SC/ST connections.
Fiber to Fiber
Link multimode to single mode or connect two multimode networks using SFP, Dual Fiber SC/ST/LC or Single Fiber SC/ST connections.
Other Protocols to Fiber
Protocol transparent (Ethernet, Fibre Channel, ATM/SONET OC-X, SDH STM-X, FDDI, Video, etc…) links over Multimode or Single Mode fiber using SFPs that support speeds up to 4.25 Gbps.
Industrial
Certified components that will operate in the harshest environmental & temperatures of -40°F to 167°F (-40°C to 75°C).
PoE
Connect copper to fiber while providing up to 100 Watts of PoE power to IP cameras, VoIP phones, wireless access points and more.
Serial to Fiber
Transparently connect RS232, RS422 and RS485 devices to fiber optic cable.
Managed Media Converters
Supports AAA security services (TACACS+, RADIUS, LDAP ...) and secure management sessions (SSH/SSL, SNMPv3, HTTPS ...)
Modular Chassis System
Slide-in Managed Media Converter cards for use in a Perle MCR1900 (19-slot) or MCR200 (2-slot) chassis.
Companies that use Perle Fiber Media Converters
What are the Benefits of Fiber Media Converters?
When networks use different types of cabling, such as fiber optic, copper, and serial, it's referred to as a heterogeneous network. These heterogeneous networks are designed to leverage the strengths of various cabling types to optimize performance, cost, and scalability. While Fiber Media Converters are most commonly used to integrate or expand fiber cabling within an existing infrastructure, new network infrastructures are sometimes designed with diverse types of media and technologies to leverage their unique strengths.
For example, copper cables are generally inexpensive to purchase and install and are compatible with a wide range of existing systems and devices. They are known for their reliability and durability, making them less susceptible to damage from physical stress, and can handle a wide load of electrical power. Effective for short-distance applications, such as within buildings or small campuses, they can transmit signals over distances up to 100 meters without significant loss.
Fiber optic cables can be susceptible to damage from physical stress and are more expensive to purchase and install. However, they offer significantly higher bandwidth than copper and can transmit data at much faster speeds. They can carry data over much longer distances without signal degradation, making them ideal for applications that require data transmission between buildings or across large campuses. Additionally, fiber cables are immune to electromagnetic interference, making them suitable for environments with high levels of electrical noise.
Serial cables are used in many industrial settings to connect sensors, controllers, and other equipment that require reliable long-distance communication.
Fiber Media Converters can bring all these cable types and their devices together into a single network with seamless and transparent communication.
Do Fiber Media Converters only transmit Ethernet data?
No. In an application where a fiber mode converter is used to interconnect two different fiber types in a back-to-back configuration, the solution is protocol-independent. That means it supports non-Ethernet protocols such as SDI, Video, Fibre Channel, ATM/SONET OC-X, SDH STM-X, and FDDI.
Will a Fiber Media Converter work if my fiber networks have different wavelengths?
Yes. Suppose the wavelengths between two single mode fiber networks or two multimode fiber networks differ. In such cases, a fiber mode converter can serve as an alternative to replacing a costly optical blade on network equipment.
What data transmission speeds do Fiber Media Converters support?
You can achieve transmission speeds up to 10 G. It is also important to note that when connecting two LANs, the network speeds do not need to match. A Rate-Converting Fiber Media Converter from Perle will automatically detect the copper port speed and convert the data rate if the fiber port speed differs. This is ideal where different networks need to be connected, for example, linking a Fast Ethernet Copper network to a 10-Gigabit Fiber network.
Why Choose a Perle Fiber Media Converter?
Robust Media Converter
Perle only uses high-end components from leading chip manufacturers to ensure product reliability. Perle's advanced implementation of Link Pass-Through includes an onboard processor that continuously monitors the status of the links and sends a notification if the fiber connection is broken or disconnected.
Cisco Compatible Media Converter
Perle Media Converters are compatible with Cisco switches and routers. As a key component in the reliability and stability of your network, you need dependable Media Converters with seamless interoperability.
Reliable Media Converter
Most Media Converter manufacturers do not publish (or make very difficult to find) their MTBF’s. Perle is proud to publish the high MTBF rates on the Hardware Specs for each product. In addition, we provide the best-in-class Lifetime Warranty.
Secure Media Converter
Perle Managed Media Converters support all AAA security services (TACACS+, RADIUS, LDAP, Kerberos, NIS and RSA) used in corporate networks, as well as SSH/SSL, SNMPv3, Telnet, and HTTPS secure management sessions. And, PerleVIEW Central Management Platform simplifies the configuration, administration, monitoring and troubleshooting
Technical Support
We have sales and technical support staff around the globe to support you. If you need help choosing the best Media Converter for your application, we provide technical consultations by phone or email. And, even though Perle Fiber Converters are extremely easy to install and configure, post sales support is easy to contact.
Trust
Perle has been providing reliable device connectivity solutions since 1976. That’s over 40 years of experience that businesses around the globe have come to trust to deliver superior connectivity technology for mission critical applications.
The quality of Fiber Media Converter that you choose will affect the uptime of your network. Choose quality products. Choose Perle.
