Generally, the only difference is usually in the power delivery capability and thermal dissipation handling of the SFPs cages on the converter. SFPs come in various reaches, the further the reach, the higher power requirement of its laser diode, and the more heat it needs to dissipate. But the Media converters themselves are not otherwise fundamentally different.
In my experience, among the consumer brands, generally you can’t go wrong with brands like Trendnet, Tripp-Lite, Black Box, 10GTek, and a bunch of others that don’t come to mind.
TP-Link is quite popular and is OEM’ed by lots of others, but I’ve experienced reliability problems with them (units dying). Likewise with many of the “no-name” PRC built ones. In fact, reliability is the main concern on media converters, not noise etc. as such.
This may well be true; the specification suggests the weight has reduced from 285g to 280g but the only way we’ll know for certain is if/when one of us buys a v2…
So… I think I’m going to grab a couple of Trendnet TFC1000-MGA with 10G/SFP+ modules. I don’t expect to hear any difference from my 10Gtek duo but it’s a low cost experiment.
Where I’m struggling is with all the options regarding SFP+ modules and the associated cable. Even looking at only Cisco’s range is bewildering.
Primary factor seems to be Single Mode vs Multi-Mode. Let’s just say I want to go Single Mode as per @BillK: what terminology do I look for in choosing my SFP+ modules?
I’ve seen references to OM1, OM2 etc and now know these indicate multimode. I’ve also seen lots of references to SR and LR.
When it comes to the cable connecting the two, I think I’ve worked out I need LC connectors! Any other indicators of a single mode cable which will suit 10G/SFP+ modules?
Obviously I’m trying to avoid assembling a converter-module-cable-module-converter chain which has any incompatibilities in it. I do appreciate that in a domestic setting, most combos will work… but I’m trying to learn here too.
Thanks again
@Anupc might be able to recommend some specific SFP+ modules, but the key is you need to match modes and connectors.
The cheapest solution is likely to be a multi-mode 10G SFP+, then all you need are a pair with a decent cable as the cable defines the maximum distance; on 50/125µm cable they’re good for 300m, but only 100 feet with a 62.5/125µm cable, but I suspect you will be sending the signal more like three feet, perhaps twenty at most.
Odds are your cable will have LC connectors but just match what your SFP+ modules have.
It’s also very important to connect the cables to the SFP+ modules and then insert the SFP+ modules to avoid possible eye damage if you inadvertently stare into the port trying to get the cable attached.
I guess ideally I’d like to know what a single-mode config might look like and separately what a multi-mode config might look like.
The cable will be somewhere between 25 feet (8 metres) and 3 feet (1 metre) depending on whether I replace my CAT 6 cable entirely or simply introduce a short optical loop at the end of it. Is there a minimum radius/diameter for an optical cable or is it the case that if you could run CAT 6 copper then you could just as easily run optical over same route?
Yes, I think all the Cisco etc modules I’d consider will be LC.
Thanks for top tip regarding safety! As an optical “explorer”, I might have missed that.
PS. I think I now understand that LR and SR stand for long and short range (so in themselves irrelevant in a domestic setting) and for Single Mode operation I need OS2 modules rather than OM anything.
SR means Short Range, which on Single Mode is around 10km and about 80km for Long Range (LR). Suffice to say LR might conceivably cause issues around the home as there wouldn’t be the expected attenuation (although you can add attenuators, if necessary).
SR is fine for use within the home, however I have a LR transceiver on my leased line as the fibre travels about 30km to the exchange - this is the kind of use case LR Single Mode is designed for.
With Multi mode, Short Range drops to 300m, which is fine in a home environment.
OM1/2/3/4/5 fibre ratings are used for Multi Mode and reference the speed and distance the fibre is rated for. I believe OM3 is sufficient for 10Gbps-40Gbps up to 100m.
OS1/2 fibre codes are used for Single Mode and specify the wavelength of the light - OS1 for 1310nm lasers and OS2 for 1550nm.
Excellent, thanks. If I’m to go for Single Mode it looks like SR then. I really don’t want to get into attenuator territory! One of the OS’s, obviously.
I presume @torbenrick uses SR but I’m sure he’ll confirm.
Multi-mode OM3 sounds good and I believe this may work out cheaper.
For what it is worth, I have the same 10Gtek cheap media converters and I finally got around to doing a speed test to see if the media converters created any latency. Short answer is no - I get near 1Gbs with the 10Gtek’s or via copper direct from back of my fibe modem switch.
Not that this really matters for music data transfer, but it is nice to know the 10Gteks are performance to spec.
@TheFlash - Yes I am. From a technical perspektive almost like what @Anupc suggested:
The good thing about @Anupc suggestion is that the SFP is Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) compliant
Than a Customized Grade B Duplex OS2 Single Mode LC/SC/FC/MU 2.0mm Bend Insensitive Fiber Optic Patch Cable. The one from FS used Corning SMF-28 Ultra fiber and you are up an running
Aha! Thanks for this; I had assumed based on an earlier comment re noise (and internet nonsense!) that you were using 10G/SFP+ with the 1000MGA; perhaps you are doing so but with a different converter, or I’ve simply extrapolated inappropriately. Cool.
I wasn’t going to explore different brands as I believe you! I just didn’t know how to work out which combinations of cable, module and converter would work, which might work best (low noise if any difference at all) and how to pick through any manufacturer’s range (Cisco picked at random as a worked example) to pick compatible units.
Thanks. I will see if I can source in UK. I like the idea of the Corning and bend insensitivity.
I found that cable nomenclature confusing in looking at alternatives/equivalents:
Customized - I presume I can ignore
Grade B - I presume I want equivalent or better, like Grade A. Or ignore grade?
Duplex - yes. 2 x Simplex would work but is less tidy.
OS2 - yes Single Mode - yes, but OS2 says the same
LC/SC/FC/MU - I presume these are the various terminations offered by your manufacturer and the specific termination I need (and you use) is LC. Correct?
2.0mm - irrelevant for choice of cables, just happens to be what diameter your manufacturer uses?
Bend Insensitive - sounds good, presumably allows for tighter loops if like @BillK one wants a short length for anti-lightning protection.
Grade B ist currently the best. Grade A has not been finalised jet.
There are many different types of optical fiber cables that can be used for communication and connectivity between devices like routers, switches, transceivers, etc. Generally speaking, these cables are terminated through optical connectors, and in a few cases, splicing is preferred. Return Loss (RL) and Insertion Loss (IL) are two critical parameters that give us information about the attenuation effects across fiber connectors.
Insertion loss – IL (dB)
Insertion loss is a term used to indicate the losses in signal power and it is indicated as a ratio (in decibel or dB). It is important to understand that a higher insertion loss value indicates a poor insertion loss performance I.e., an insertion loss of 0.2dB is better than 0.6dB.
Return Loss – RL (dB)
In any optical fiber transmission line, a certain number of light rays tend to reflect and return to the point of origination or source because of inherent discontinuities and impedance mismatches in the Return loss is a term that can be defined as the loss of power in the signal reflected or returned by a discontinuity in an optical fiber or transmission line and it is denoted as a ratio in decibels. A high return loss is considered a good indication because it shows that the lines or devices connected through lines are well matched.
I know, but the LC thing is/was important: more important than IL/RL values which are useless if I can’t even insert the cable into the modules… It’s no good me or anyone else trying to find “LC/SC/FC/MU” terminated cable (no cable can be all 4) or picking any one of these at random!
I’ve already been looking at IL/RL values stated for other cables.
So: Grade B OS2 Single Mode Duplex LC-LC Fibre/Fiber Optic Patch Cable it is.
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It’s no good me or anyone else trying to find “LC/SC/FC/MU” terminated cable (no cable can be all 4) or picking any one of these at random!