Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans.ethernet
Subject: Re: Media converter vs Switch with Fiber port
References: <[email protected]>
[email protected] writes:

> Hi friends,
> 
> I have heard of two solutions for fiber termination: A switch with
> fiber ports or a media converter that connects to ordinary UTP ports on
> the switch.
> 
> I wanted to know which solution is better in terms of reliability. Cost
> is not a constraint.

If the switch is well built, then I quess that switch witrh fiber ports 
would be more reliable. With a media converters you have more boxes 
in the system (media converter and switch) plus more wiring needed 
(cable from media ocnverter to switch, power feed for each ot them). 
Usually more ports means worse reliabity (more things can go wrong). 

> Also, please let me know can copper be extended a little beyond its
> limitation, maybe upto 120 m

Usually with good quality copper (CAT5e CAT6) you can run 
Ethernet (10Base-T, 100Base-TX) beyond the magic 100 meter limit. 
Usually it works very well. I have read about installations 
where the Ethernet signal is run for up to 150 meters without
problems.. 

Using longer than 100 meters wirings is not accordign the 
oficial standards. Running more than this can risk you to 
system become moren sentive to external noise problems causing 
transmission errors (those showing as packet loss typically). 
The rule of thumb is that if the wiring you use is of better quality
than for what the Ethernet system you use is designed for 
(CAT3 for 10Base-T, CAT5 for 100Base-TX), then your cable has 
better shielding properties and lower signal loss, so you can  
run lengths that are slightly longer than the original 100 meter 
meximum length without noticeable problems. 
This is not a recommended practice, but it seems to work 
both in theory and practice. 

-- 
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at 
http://www.epanorama.net/