Extending Your Network Beyond Copper Cable Limits: A Guide with Fiber Optics

This blog post explains how to extend your network over long distances, exceeding the limitations of copper cabling, using fiber optics.

How do you extend your network? 

If you get your hands on a Pre-terminated Fiber Optic Assembly and a couple of Media Converters, you’re only a few steps away from extending your small wifi network more than 250 feet.

Check out the summary of what we’re about to explain below.

The video recommends using a pre-terminated fiber optic assembly and a pair of media converters for situations where your network connection needs to extend beyond 250 feet. 

Some common scenarios where you’d want to extend your network include

You may look to extend your network for either a commercial or residential setting.  Below are a few common examples of when you may look to do this. Check out this video for a brief overview.

Commercial

Commercial building: A tall commercial building may need to extend their network to additional floors. This could be because the building is adding more floors, or because a separate office space needs to be connected to the main network.

College campus:  College campuses are constantly evolving, with new buildings being added all the time. These new buildings need to be seamlessly integrated into the existing campus network.

Campgrounds: A campground needs wireless networks throughout the campground to help make sure everyone is connected.  This can help prevent campers from getting lost and help keep everyone connected.

Residential

Extending network to detached garage: You may have a larger house where your wifi network does not reach your detached garage.  Copper wiring does not have the length that fiber optic cables do.

Here’s an example of Tom from LANshack showing how to connect fiber to a media converted in a detached garage.

@lanshack Do you know how to extend your network using fiber optic cabling? #fiberoptic #fiberoptics #foryou #viral ♬ original sound - LANshack

Marinas: Marinas can offer fiber optic internet access to boats docked there. This allows boat owners to stay connected while they are on the dock.  These boats may utilize a fiber enclosure or even a tactical assembly to make sure their network is connected.

Country Livin’: Farmers or homeowners with many acres of land often need to extend their network out to their fields.  Ethernet wiring will not be enough to reach siloed barns that need real-time insight into soil activity for their crops.

Here's a breakdown of the components:

Pre-terminated Fiber Optic Assembly

Unless you are an expert on fiber optic termination, you most likely want a simple solution to connect your network.  Even professionals prefer pre-terminated assemblies as there is less chance of data signal loss.

These assemblies, custom-made to your desired length, arrive ready to plug and play with pre-installed connectors.

Media Converters

These devices convert the signal from fiber optic cable back to copper (and vice versa) for compatibility with your network switches.

You’ll want an ethernet patch cable to complete the circuit and make sure your signal is picked up locally.

Two Options for Media Converter Connection:

1. Media Converters with LC SFP Modules:
   1. This method uses two media converters, each with an external SFP module (either multi-mode or single-mode) for signal conversion.
   2. The advantage is that these SFP modules are hot-pluggable and compatible with a wider range of switches (including all QuickTrex switches and any non-proprietary switch).
2. SFP Modules Directly on Switch:
   1. This option utilizes SFP modules that plug directly into SFP ports on your switches.
   2. While convenient, keep in mind that SFP modules can be proprietary, meaning they might not work with all switch models.

Installation:

The process is relatively straightforward:

1. Install the Fiber Optic Assembly: Run the pre-made fiber optic cable between your network points.
2. Connect the Fiber to Media Converters: Ensure proper polarity by matching the numbered strands (e.g., 1 to 1, 2 to 2) when connecting the fiber connectors to the media converters on both ends.
3. Connect Media Converters to Network Switches: Use Ethernet patch cables to connect the media converters to your network switches at both locations. Remember to flip the polarity on one end (e.g., 2 to 1) to maintain proper signal flow.
4. Maintain polarity: With fiber, maintaining proper polarity is key.  There is a send and receive labeled 1 and 2.  You’ll want to make sure these match up properly so the signal is received correctly.  This means you'll need to flip the polarity on the other end of your media converter.

Conclusion:

This method offers a simple and reliable way to extend your network beyond the limitations of copper cabling. 

The pre-terminated fiber optic assemblies and media converters provide a plug-and-play solution for long-distance network connections.