Fiber LAN -- A couple questions
Hi Folks,
(Not sure if this is an appropriate group for this question; sorry if it isn't.)
We currently have a 100Base Ethernet network and are moving to a new location so taking advantage of the situation and upgrading our network, possibly to multimode fiber. I've spent the past couple days scouring the net about fiber and have a few questions for which I cannot find answers (note that we're not going all the way to the desktop with fiber, but hopefully at least to the wall plates so we're ready in a few years when 1gig and 10gig network cards become standard):
- Ethernet uses switch(es) to connect all the workstations. Most of the "fiber switches" I see only have connections for a small handful of fiber lines and a bunch of ethernet ports. So, how does one physically plug a few dozen fiber connections (with workstations at the other end) together and to the main switch? I think this is my big question as I'm obviously just not getting something. I read that we won't need switches (or closets) on different floors due to the longer cable length, so how do all the fiber lines from each floor "merge" and feed to a single port on the main network switch? Or do I need to buy a bunch of fiber switches to be able to handle upwards of 64 lines?
- I see a bunch of stuff about 10/100Base fiber. Why would someone use fiber if they're only getting 100Mb/s?
- I've been all over the place on the web getting bits and pieces of info, but can anyone recommend a site (or even a book) about how to actually put together a fiber LAN? What parts are needed? etc. (No, I'm not doing it myself, but want to have a clear understanding of how it works so I can estimate costs, etc).
Thanks,
Jeff
read more and respond »Posted 5 years ago by Jeff in Ethernet LAN
