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Fibre patch cables and how to connect switches with fibresWe like Fibre Optic 62.5/125 µm (rather than 45). The fibre patch cables typically cost £25 each.We use 4 types of connectorLCSmall square and connects to mini-gbics on modern switches.The connector is a fixed pair, but you can prize the holder apart (or cut it) to separate the fibres - very useful if no signal and you need to change the transmit and receive over.
SCBig square and connects to some of our patch panels and to DP.If in a fixed pair configuration then often very difficult to separate. We have quite a few with more free ends so transmit and receive can be swapped over.
STRound, push and turn type fit for most of our patch panels. The connectors are always separate.
MTRJNow hardly used as these are for old 3Com switches.
Connecting Switches with Fibre CablesThis is an absolute git.Switches from the same manufacturer will usually manage to auto-negotiate the connection. Between different manufacturer switches you usually NEED to turn negotiation OFF and to set the speed (typically 1GBit). The other typical problem is getting the transmit and receive fibre the wrong way around. You can tell by swapping the fibre connections around at one end if you get a connection that you previously had them the wrong way around. If you still do not get a link light then the fibre is probably bust. It is quite easy to break fibre cables - be very careful with them: do not put things on the cables, bend them or get muck on the ends. Sometimes you can clean the ends and get it all to work. Some switches will take 20 seconds (e.g. Dell) to actually move packets for a new connection - the lights are on, but packets are moving. Media ConvertersAnother pain. These things are typically of fixed speed so you need to tell the switch at the other end what it should be doing. We've found some that will not work with certain switches, etc. |
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