| Doctor Fiber |
"Now you probably want to
know what Dog Wash really
is - don't you? Let me
explain it to you one step
at a time."
know what Dog Wash really
is - don't you? Let me
explain it to you one step
at a time."
| • Fiber is more difficult to install than copper |
The perception lingers that fiber is difficult to install. However, the reality is that it is just as easy, and most of the time easier, to
install than copper. Since fiber is accepted as the standard choice for communications backbones, installers have become
comfortable with the technology. In fact, new generation high-speed copper networks – such as Category 5e, and Category 6/6e
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable – require more stringent and time-consuming installation techniques than those of fiber.
Compared to newer grades of copper cable, fewer regulations exist on the methods by which optical cable is pulled and
terminated. In addition, there is no need to worry about the location of EMI/RFI sources during installation. Furthermore, optical
fiber cables are stronger, lighter and smaller than comparable copper cable designs, and there are few routing restrictions,
particularly in areas with other electrical power cables. New generations of small connectors are also making it easier to install
fiber-based systems. Small form factor (SFF) connectors have the same size footprint as traditional copper-based connectors. As
a result, they help increase port density and reduce the cost of hubs and switches, lower patch-panel and enclosure costs,
reduce jumper costs, and reduce connector and installation costs. Besides ease of installation, SFF connectors make fiber faster
to install, as the connection time per connector is much quicker. While SFF connectors reduce connection time, optical fiber itself
is capable of supporting runs beyond the 100-meter limit for any grade of copper cabling available today. Standard 62.5-micron
(µm) fiber can run effectively up to 300 meters at 100 Mbps, and 50- µm fiber can run up to 500 meters.
install than copper. Since fiber is accepted as the standard choice for communications backbones, installers have become
comfortable with the technology. In fact, new generation high-speed copper networks – such as Category 5e, and Category 6/6e
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable – require more stringent and time-consuming installation techniques than those of fiber.
Compared to newer grades of copper cable, fewer regulations exist on the methods by which optical cable is pulled and
terminated. In addition, there is no need to worry about the location of EMI/RFI sources during installation. Furthermore, optical
fiber cables are stronger, lighter and smaller than comparable copper cable designs, and there are few routing restrictions,
particularly in areas with other electrical power cables. New generations of small connectors are also making it easier to install
fiber-based systems. Small form factor (SFF) connectors have the same size footprint as traditional copper-based connectors. As
a result, they help increase port density and reduce the cost of hubs and switches, lower patch-panel and enclosure costs,
reduce jumper costs, and reduce connector and installation costs. Besides ease of installation, SFF connectors make fiber faster
to install, as the connection time per connector is much quicker. While SFF connectors reduce connection time, optical fiber itself
is capable of supporting runs beyond the 100-meter limit for any grade of copper cabling available today. Standard 62.5-micron
(µm) fiber can run effectively up to 300 meters at 100 Mbps, and 50- µm fiber can run up to 500 meters.
Testing fiber is easy, too. Since fiber cable facilities are not affected by near-end crosstalk (NEXT), and their operating
performance is not affected by frequency, technicians can test runs by simply measuring the attenuation of the optical fiber link.
To verify Category 5e/6/6e link performance, tests must be conducted for attenuation, cable length, crosstalk and numerous other
parameters. Technicians must also perform attenuation and NEXT tests across the entire frequency range of 1-100 megahertz or
higher because copper-based system
performance changes at different frequencies. Transmission at different frequencies does not affect optical fiber. Once fiber
works at one speed, it can be upgraded to higher protocols without sacrificing performance. Copper cables, on the other hand,
may or may not be upgradeable – not just because of the cable itself, but because other components influence system
performance. In the end, fiber and cable manufacturers have made great strides to meet the demands of those interested in an
easy way to deploy fiber. Technicians used to copper should no longer carry the impression that fiber is any more difficult to install
– it may be different, but it certainly is not any harder than working with copper cabling.
performance is not affected by frequency, technicians can test runs by simply measuring the attenuation of the optical fiber link.
To verify Category 5e/6/6e link performance, tests must be conducted for attenuation, cable length, crosstalk and numerous other
parameters. Technicians must also perform attenuation and NEXT tests across the entire frequency range of 1-100 megahertz or
higher because copper-based system
performance changes at different frequencies. Transmission at different frequencies does not affect optical fiber. Once fiber
works at one speed, it can be upgraded to higher protocols without sacrificing performance. Copper cables, on the other hand,
may or may not be upgradeable – not just because of the cable itself, but because other components influence system
performance. In the end, fiber and cable manufacturers have made great strides to meet the demands of those interested in an
easy way to deploy fiber. Technicians used to copper should no longer carry the impression that fiber is any more difficult to install
– it may be different, but it certainly is not any harder than working with copper cabling.
| Switching from copper to fiber is expensive – and not worth the trouble |
| "Fiber is more difficult to install than copper? If you believe that, then you can join me for dinner!" |
The question is really - which one would you
rather spend all day installing or repairing?
rather spend all day installing or repairing?
Fiber has already surpassed the cost parity with copper, even when considering installed first costs. Now,
in many cases, fiber is actually a less expensive alternative for cabling than copper.
This is driven by several factors:
• Fiber-friendly architectures, such as Centralized Cabling, allow designers to leverage fiber’s high bandwidth and
low attenuation to accommodate longer runs (up to 300 meters).
This allows MIS managers to reduce the number of active electronics in a system – the expensive part – and eliminate the need
for telecommunications closets on each floor of the building as was required in the past. One still needs, in most cases, some
sort of Telecom Room (TR) on each floor but not the large, legacy rooms of yesteryear. Costs associated with these TR's
include the electronics housed within them, the cost of temperature controls, HVAC, ducting, primary power, secondary power,
grounding, lighting, and power management, not to mention the loss of valuable “real estate.” What about the fact that the
annual power consumption of these TR's is roughly 2% of the overall power budget of the building? One can hear installers
right now screaming, "Well we have to have a telecom room for all of our 66 and 110 blocks. Nope - not if you have a VOIP
telephone system. Also, when you think about it, one does not need to have lights, power or AC to facilitate the use of 66 or 110
blocks anyway.
• SFF connectors are less expensive, easier to install and have higher port densities than traditional fiber
connectors. Many high-quality singlemode SC and ST connectors, for instance, can be purchased for less than
$3.00 each (Check HERE.) What is the cost of a high-quality Cat 6/6e or one of the new "10Gig" UTP modular
connectors? You might be surprised of the difference!
• Use of media converters allows users to migrate incrementally from copper to fiber and utilize existing
electronics by converting the signal between media. What a better way to upgrade and future proof your network
without changing your switches and/or NIC Cards in your PC. If you thought you were getting 100Meg to the desk -
now there will be no doubt.
• New standards allow users to migrate from 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps and to 10Gbps using low-cost 850 nm Light
Emitting Diode (LED) or low-cost Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSEL's) based electronics instead of
requiring high-cost 1300 nm lasers.
in many cases, fiber is actually a less expensive alternative for cabling than copper.
This is driven by several factors:
• Fiber-friendly architectures, such as Centralized Cabling, allow designers to leverage fiber’s high bandwidth and
low attenuation to accommodate longer runs (up to 300 meters).
This allows MIS managers to reduce the number of active electronics in a system – the expensive part – and eliminate the need
for telecommunications closets on each floor of the building as was required in the past. One still needs, in most cases, some
sort of Telecom Room (TR) on each floor but not the large, legacy rooms of yesteryear. Costs associated with these TR's
include the electronics housed within them, the cost of temperature controls, HVAC, ducting, primary power, secondary power,
grounding, lighting, and power management, not to mention the loss of valuable “real estate.” What about the fact that the
annual power consumption of these TR's is roughly 2% of the overall power budget of the building? One can hear installers
right now screaming, "Well we have to have a telecom room for all of our 66 and 110 blocks. Nope - not if you have a VOIP
telephone system. Also, when you think about it, one does not need to have lights, power or AC to facilitate the use of 66 or 110
blocks anyway.
• SFF connectors are less expensive, easier to install and have higher port densities than traditional fiber
connectors. Many high-quality singlemode SC and ST connectors, for instance, can be purchased for less than
$3.00 each (Check HERE.) What is the cost of a high-quality Cat 6/6e or one of the new "10Gig" UTP modular
connectors? You might be surprised of the difference!
• Use of media converters allows users to migrate incrementally from copper to fiber and utilize existing
electronics by converting the signal between media. What a better way to upgrade and future proof your network
without changing your switches and/or NIC Cards in your PC. If you thought you were getting 100Meg to the desk -
now there will be no doubt.
• New standards allow users to migrate from 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps and to 10Gbps using low-cost 850 nm Light
Emitting Diode (LED) or low-cost Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSEL's) based electronics instead of
requiring high-cost 1300 nm lasers.
A closer look at each element of fiber installation reveals how the big gap with copper costs
has mostly disappeared.
• Cabling component costs: the cost for fiber and fiber-based components (cable, wall outlets, patch panels and
cords, and connectors) has decreased, bringing them in line with the cost of high-speed copper cables.
• Electronics costs: the cost for fiber-based hubs, concentrators and network interface cards for fiber is falling
steadily. What’s more, the industry has developed architectures that allow users to install fewer electronics and
reduce overall system costs and has issued a standard that supports 100 Mbps transmission over 850 nm LEDs.
Review some of the details about 568B.3 HERE.
• No recabling costs: because standard multimode optical fiber has proven performance at 2.5 Gbps and beyond,
there is no need to pull new cable to support higher data rates or emerging protocols. Therefore, optical fiber
eliminates the expense and disruption associated with pulling new cable – a concern shared by a large number of
businesses that cannot afford to be offline for days at a time. Keep in mind that any cable copper or fiber not
labeled for future use must be removed. How much copper do you think will need to be removed - as compared
to fiber?
• Installation costs: as technicians have become more familiar with handling fiber and because new generation
UTP cabling such as Cat 5e, Cat 6 and above requires more stringent installation parameters, costs to deploy
either type of cabling are essentially the same today. It's just a matter of looking at the COST PER PORT analysis of
new installation designs.
Also, lifetime costs of fiber are lower because:
• With fiber, there is no need to pull new cable each time you upgrade your network.
• Maintenance and downtime for fiber networks are typically less than for copper-based networks. This is because
they usually use fewer electronics – thereby reducing network outages and downtime, are not subject to EMI/RFI
interference, and are generally easier to troubleshoot. The net result of these benefits is that deploying optical
fiber in LANs provides measurable results and long-term value to businesses of all sizes – whether they are
building a new network or incrementally upgrading an existing one. As the price of fiber components drops
significantly and ease of installation continues to improve, new standards and technologies are lowering costs
across the board. Accordingly, TIA has worked to address the technology needs of suppliers and end users to
better support the use of fiber deeper into the LAN. For more information on standards relating to the fiber
industry, please visit www.tiaonline.org/standards/.
Note: To compare copper and fiber costs in more detail for your installation, consult the new Cost Modeling report
developed by TIA’s Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS) and Pearson Technologies. This matrix allows you to compare
the costs of legacy networks to those of fiber-to-the-desk networks. To download a copy of the model, please visit
the FOLS Web site at www.fols.org.
has mostly disappeared.
• Cabling component costs: the cost for fiber and fiber-based components (cable, wall outlets, patch panels and
cords, and connectors) has decreased, bringing them in line with the cost of high-speed copper cables.
• Electronics costs: the cost for fiber-based hubs, concentrators and network interface cards for fiber is falling
steadily. What’s more, the industry has developed architectures that allow users to install fewer electronics and
reduce overall system costs and has issued a standard that supports 100 Mbps transmission over 850 nm LEDs.
Review some of the details about 568B.3 HERE.
• No recabling costs: because standard multimode optical fiber has proven performance at 2.5 Gbps and beyond,
there is no need to pull new cable to support higher data rates or emerging protocols. Therefore, optical fiber
eliminates the expense and disruption associated with pulling new cable – a concern shared by a large number of
businesses that cannot afford to be offline for days at a time. Keep in mind that any cable copper or fiber not
labeled for future use must be removed. How much copper do you think will need to be removed - as compared
to fiber?
• Installation costs: as technicians have become more familiar with handling fiber and because new generation
UTP cabling such as Cat 5e, Cat 6 and above requires more stringent installation parameters, costs to deploy
either type of cabling are essentially the same today. It's just a matter of looking at the COST PER PORT analysis of
new installation designs.
Also, lifetime costs of fiber are lower because:
• With fiber, there is no need to pull new cable each time you upgrade your network.
• Maintenance and downtime for fiber networks are typically less than for copper-based networks. This is because
they usually use fewer electronics – thereby reducing network outages and downtime, are not subject to EMI/RFI
interference, and are generally easier to troubleshoot. The net result of these benefits is that deploying optical
fiber in LANs provides measurable results and long-term value to businesses of all sizes – whether they are
building a new network or incrementally upgrading an existing one. As the price of fiber components drops
significantly and ease of installation continues to improve, new standards and technologies are lowering costs
across the board. Accordingly, TIA has worked to address the technology needs of suppliers and end users to
better support the use of fiber deeper into the LAN. For more information on standards relating to the fiber
industry, please visit www.tiaonline.org/standards/.
Note: To compare copper and fiber costs in more detail for your installation, consult the new Cost Modeling report
developed by TIA’s Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS) and Pearson Technologies. This matrix allows you to compare
the costs of legacy networks to those of fiber-to-the-desk networks. To download a copy of the model, please visit
the FOLS Web site at www.fols.org.
"I had an installer up in Chicago once tell me that he knows in most cases, that fiber to the desk is less
expensive. But he also knows that he will loose money in most FTTD installations if he charges the same
labor rate as he does for copper network installations. So - if he installs any fiber he jacks up the cost of
labor to the customer. The reasoning here is that he will not have the opportunity to go back and re-install
cable 5 years later nor will he be able to factor in much labor (cost per hour) as he knows that fiber
installation takes much less time AND effort to install than most copper networks. Because of this one issue,
he says and I quote, 'I will not offer a customer a fiber network alternative unless they demand it.' Makes me
kind of sick to my stomach to hear this. The customer is definitely the looser here."
expensive. But he also knows that he will loose money in most FTTD installations if he charges the same
labor rate as he does for copper network installations. So - if he installs any fiber he jacks up the cost of
labor to the customer. The reasoning here is that he will not have the opportunity to go back and re-install
cable 5 years later nor will he be able to factor in much labor (cost per hour) as he knows that fiber
installation takes much less time AND effort to install than most copper networks. Because of this one issue,
he says and I quote, 'I will not offer a customer a fiber network alternative unless they demand it.' Makes me
kind of sick to my stomach to hear this. The customer is definitely the looser here."
| A forklift upgrade to fiber is too costly to implement |
| Dog Wash Myths of Fiber Optics - Page 2 |
Optical fiber gets the most attention when considered for new installations, as network planners can start with a clean slate.
In rebuild situations, network managers have been more reluctant to use a fiber solution. While the overall cost of a fiber
installation has become increasingly competitive to that of copper, some companies do not have the resources to upgrade
their entire network at once. They also may only need the increased
bandwidth or speed in a portion of their network, or they may have a legacy network that includes a variety of media. For
these users, media conversion technology offers them a controlled migration strategy. Media converters do just what their
name implies – the devices convert the signal from one type of media to another, allowing seamless links between different
media and supporting incremental upgrades to fiber. Media converters also allow users to continue to use their existing
electronics, leveraging their existing investment.
Many small- to medium-sized businesses take the incremental approach to network upgrading, because it makes better
financial and technical sense. MIS managers at small businesses know that upgrading to a higher grade of cable – either
copper or fiber – will require a substantial financial investment. Once they understand that they can bring fiber into their
network on an as-needed basis, these network managers will seriously consider choosing this option for the built-in
scalability.
In rebuild situations, network managers have been more reluctant to use a fiber solution. While the overall cost of a fiber
installation has become increasingly competitive to that of copper, some companies do not have the resources to upgrade
their entire network at once. They also may only need the increased
bandwidth or speed in a portion of their network, or they may have a legacy network that includes a variety of media. For
these users, media conversion technology offers them a controlled migration strategy. Media converters do just what their
name implies – the devices convert the signal from one type of media to another, allowing seamless links between different
media and supporting incremental upgrades to fiber. Media converters also allow users to continue to use their existing
electronics, leveraging their existing investment.
Many small- to medium-sized businesses take the incremental approach to network upgrading, because it makes better
financial and technical sense. MIS managers at small businesses know that upgrading to a higher grade of cable – either
copper or fiber – will require a substantial financial investment. Once they understand that they can bring fiber into their
network on an as-needed basis, these network managers will seriously consider choosing this option for the built-in
scalability.
| Long-term copper users claim they don’t need fiber |
Most growing enterprises have an increasing need for faster, more effective information transmission. As we touched on
earlier, fiber users typically only need to pull cable once to support network longevity of 10-15 years, compared to the 3-5
years typically afforded by grades of copper cables. Given today's optical fiber’s greater bandwidth capacity, ease of
installation, lower cost, low (if any) maintenance), and security network managers can consider their fiber infrastructure as a
“future proofing” investment that frees them from worrying about their cabling infrastructure when making system upgrades. If
your company is reaching its bandwidth limits, it may be time to consider converting your network to fiber and be ready for the
day when you will upgrade to 10Gig and possibly higher.
earlier, fiber users typically only need to pull cable once to support network longevity of 10-15 years, compared to the 3-5
years typically afforded by grades of copper cables. Given today's optical fiber’s greater bandwidth capacity, ease of
installation, lower cost, low (if any) maintenance), and security network managers can consider their fiber infrastructure as a
“future proofing” investment that frees them from worrying about their cabling infrastructure when making system upgrades. If
your company is reaching its bandwidth limits, it may be time to consider converting your network to fiber and be ready for the
day when you will upgrade to 10Gig and possibly higher.
"How many times since the beginning of the data transfer era have you heard people say,
'Oh, I'll never need that much bandwidth.' You've heard this one for sure. 'You'll never fill
up that hard drive.' If you have a substantial network and have had to upgrade it over the
years, for instance, since the early 80's, how many times have you had to install new cable?
In other words - how much useless copper cable do you have floating around in your
ceiling? Basically if you believe that you will need no more bandwidth than what copper can
provide is a good indication that you believe in Dog Wash AND the tooth fairy."
'Oh, I'll never need that much bandwidth.' You've heard this one for sure. 'You'll never fill
up that hard drive.' If you have a substantial network and have had to upgrade it over the
years, for instance, since the early 80's, how many times have you had to install new cable?
In other words - how much useless copper cable do you have floating around in your
ceiling? Basically if you believe that you will need no more bandwidth than what copper can
provide is a good indication that you believe in Dog Wash AND the tooth fairy."
Most analysts agree that optical fiber ultimately will replace copper cable in all parts of the LAN. Over the near
term, the migration can be attributed to the increasing level of comfort among engineers, experts, and users
with optical fiber and its benefits. However, as network managers start to look at 10 Gigabit Ethernet and
beyond, optical fiber will be the only medium that can support their network over 300-meter distances. This
makes optical fiber the ideal choice not only for today – but also for the future.
More on the Fiber Optics LAN Section:
The Fiber Optic LAN Section (FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is a consortium of
leading fiber optic cable, component and electronics manufacturers. The FOLS focuses on educating end
users and influencers about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission brings to local
area networks and fiber-to-the-desk applications. Member companies of the FOLS include: 3M/Volition,
AMP/Tyco Electronics, Corning, Leviton Voice & Data, OFS, Optek Technology, Ortronics, Panduit, and
Sumitomo Electric Lightwave. Visit the FOLS at www.fols.org.
This white paper is one of several initiatives underway by the FOLS. For more information about FOLS and its
activities, or to become a member of TIA and FOLS, please visit us at http://www.fols.org or contact Andy
Dryden at (703) 907-7633 or adryden@tia.eia.org.
term, the migration can be attributed to the increasing level of comfort among engineers, experts, and users
with optical fiber and its benefits. However, as network managers start to look at 10 Gigabit Ethernet and
beyond, optical fiber will be the only medium that can support their network over 300-meter distances. This
makes optical fiber the ideal choice not only for today – but also for the future.
More on the Fiber Optics LAN Section:
The Fiber Optic LAN Section (FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is a consortium of
leading fiber optic cable, component and electronics manufacturers. The FOLS focuses on educating end
users and influencers about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission brings to local
area networks and fiber-to-the-desk applications. Member companies of the FOLS include: 3M/Volition,
AMP/Tyco Electronics, Corning, Leviton Voice & Data, OFS, Optek Technology, Ortronics, Panduit, and
Sumitomo Electric Lightwave. Visit the FOLS at www.fols.org.
This white paper is one of several initiatives underway by the FOLS. For more information about FOLS and its
activities, or to become a member of TIA and FOLS, please visit us at http://www.fols.org or contact Andy
Dryden at (703) 907-7633 or adryden@tia.eia.org.
| Conclusion |
"This is a great White Paper and if you would like to download the
unabridged, PDF version go here. As I have said in the past and am
still saying it, make sure you get ALL of the details (truths) about fiber
capabilities and costs before you decide to have copper installed in
your building."
unabridged, PDF version go here. As I have said in the past and am
still saying it, make sure you get ALL of the details (truths) about fiber
capabilities and costs before you decide to have copper installed in
your building."
| Made For Speed Article HERE |
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Myths of Fiber Optics
| Here is the Network Cabling Time Line. Where are you in your decision to install Fiber? |
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