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Fiber Optic Media Converters

FIBER OPTIC MEDIA CONVERTERS

Moving or expanding networks in terms of their speed, signal strength, security, as well as geographical transmission distance is a crucial requirement for most businesses. This is because legacy networks have their own limitations, and cannot fit in with new demanding business applications. Hence, to make the network scalable, robust, and secure, fiber optics is blended with the existing network. Using devices such as fiber optic converters helps increase the transmission distance. Fiber optic media converters are networking devices that facilitate the connectivity between two or more dissimilar networks. They convert electrical signals to fiber optic and vice-versa. VERSITRON offers fiber media converters in various configurations to connect fiber and copper networks, two multimode or single mode networks as well as convert a multimode network to a single mode network.

How Do Fiber Media Converters Work?

Fiber optic converters are ideal for blended networks which comprise twisted pair copper cables as well as fiber optic cables. Both these types of cables can be connected to fiber media converters. Fiber optic media converters operate on the physical layer of the OSI model, which is the first model. They send and receive electrical signals from a Cat5 or Cat6 cable and convert them to light pulses and send them over fiber optic cables, and vice-versa. When a fiber media converter receives signals from one device or media, it is not visible to the other connected devices on the network. In terms of long-distance transmission, they help extend the geographical distance by about 100 km, depending on the network type and requirement. They can be used as patch cables and connectors to support Layer 3 switching. Typically, there are three form factors of media converters- compact standalone devices, PC card converters, and high port-density chassis systems.


VERSITRON offers 10/100 and 10/100/1000 double duty Fast Ethernet as well as triple duty Gigabit media converters. We offer POE as well as ruggedized industrial media converters, fiber optic to Ethernet converters, dual wavelength (WDM) or bidirectional fiber options. These fiber media converters are offered in multiple connector types, including LC, SC, and ST. We offer a lifetime warranty for all our media converters.


Types of Fiber Optic Media Converters Offered by VERSITRON

The models we offer under this category include:

  • Gigabit Media Converter with Fiber: These media converters are designed to convert 10/100Base or 1000Base Ethernet to 1000Base Gigabit speeds over fiber utilizing the latest SFP technology.
  • 10/100Base Ethernet Media Converters: Also known as our “Double Duty” Media Converters, these devices are designed to convert a 10/100Base Fast Ethernet UTP electrical signal into light signals for transmission over Multimode or Single mode fiber optic cables. Therefore, these devices can provide either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps networking speeds on the Ethernet side.
  • Single Fiber Media Converters: These media converters are designed to transmit and receive signals over one strand of fiber optic cable. Single fiber media converters can accommodate either 10Base or 100Base networks or both. There are three network speed settings: 10/100 auto-sensing, 10Base fixed, or 100Base fixed.
  • Industrial Media Converters: VERSITRON’S Industrial fiber optic converters are designed to operate in harsh environmental conditions. Typical features of these categories of media converters include full wire speed performance, SFP flexibility, best conversion latency, link fault pass through, and low power consumption, among others.
  • PoE Media Converters: Would you like to provide reliable and cost-effective fiber distance extension to PoE powered devices? We are here to help! VERSITRON models of PoE media converters provide solutions for both PSE and PD devices. These types of media converters combine power and data on one cable.
  • Multimode to Single Mode Converters: Our multimode to single mode converters provide efficient solutions when network distance requirements exceed the limit of MM fiber or to interconnecting multimode fiber LANs over longer distances.
  • SFP Modules: Designed to meet your high-speed networking needs, our industry standard small form factor pluggable (SFP) modules are compatible with multiple VERSITRON products. SFP Modules are available for Multimode SX, Multimode LX, Single mode LX, and Single mode ZX.
  • Media Converter Chassis: VERSITRON also offers a 14-Slot Chassis that can house up to 14 Media Converters at one specific location.

How to Connect a Fiber Optic Cable to VERSITRON Fiber Media Converter?

Here are some pointers on connecting fiber media converters to copper as well as fiber networks.

  • At any given point, we need two media converters for a single transmission and reception as well as signal conversion transaction.
  • These two media converters must be electrically connected and the correct interface must be used for that particular type.
  • As mentioned both fiber and copper cables are connected to these media converters. They are different connector types for each. For instance, fiber cables have LC, SC, or ST connectors, while copper cables connect to RJ45 connectors.
  • In case of copper cable networks, the two converters are connected via a fiber optic patch cable which is connected based on the connector type. The other RJ45 ports are connected to a computer or the concerned device.
  • In case of fiber optic connectivity, SFP port and optical transceivers are needed. The optical transceivers are connected to SFP or SFP+ ports. The media converters are connected via two ports of these transceivers.

Features of Fiber to Copper Media Converters

Fiber to copper converters are the best option for blended networks, wherein Ethernet network devices are connected over a fiber optic link cable. This not only increases bandwidth and signal strength but also mitigates EMI and noise. Here are some features of fiber to copper media converters offered by VERSITRON.

  • We offer several models of fiber to copper converters both managed and unmanaged, which support a variety of network protocols.
  • Our 10/100Base-TX to 100Base-FX single fiber media converter converts speed and media type and supports full wire speed conversion.
  • It has a transmission rate of 10/100Mbps copper to 100Mbps fiber.
  • They also have auto-negotiation and auto MDI/MDI-X detection features.
  • We also offer 10/100/1000BaseT to 1000Base-SX/LX fiber media converter that provides triple duty support and accepts 100Base as well as 100Base SFP modules. It is compliant with IEEE 802.3, 802.3ab, 802.3u, and 802.3z protocols.
  • This is a Gigabit Ethernet media converter that uses SFP GBIC technology. We offer these modules in single mode, multimode, as well as single fiber options.
  • This converter enables transmission up to a distance of 100km.
  • We also offer industrial ruggedized models of these converters that are designed to withstand high temperatures and harsh environments.
  • There is a lifetime warranty on all these media converter models.
  • These can be used as either standalone or plug-in modules, and they support desktop and center chassis mounting.

Application of Fiber to Ethernet Media Converters

As mentioned, fiber to Ethernet media converters are most suitable in blended applications, and they help increase the bandwidth, transmission distance, and more. They make networks secure yet scalable and hence these converters are used in mission critical applications.

  • Business networks: Media converters can convert single mode to multimode and vice versa. This eliminates the issue of converting fiber links in blended networks. This is applicable for any business or enterprise network and commercial applications.
  • Security and Surveillance System: They are often used in security and surveillance systems ranging from gated communities and industrial premises to even defense systems across national borders. Our PoE media converters backhaul signals and power devices such as IP cameras that may be installed in remote or disconnected areas.
  • Government and Defense Sectors: They are used for secure and high-speed LCN connections between data centers and computers in offices of these crucial departments.
  • Industrial Premises: These converters are used in industrial environments to provide high-speed and secure data transmission.
  • Telecommunications: They are used in telecommunications networks to increase the distance and bandwidth of data transmission.

In case of any question on our fiber optic media converters, feel free to contact us via phone or email.


FAQs about Fiber Optic Media Converters

  • Do media converters have to be used in pairs?
    The answer would depend on the scenario where media converters are used. Generally, optical media fibers are used to transmit across long distances. The single-mode optical fiber can be used to transmit up to 10 kms and multi-mode up to 2 kms. Fiber media converters are used in such networks. Fiber media converters can be connected to a switch or SFP transceiver. If a switch is being used, then a compatible Ethernet port is necessary. Many times, these media converters are also used in pairs, such as those used in legacy infrastructure, like twisted pair or co-ax cables. VDSL media converters work best in legacy infrastructure, as they help transmit Ethernet traffic over legacy cables for long distances.

  • What is a media converter switch?
    When an active media converter features a switch chip, it is known as a switching media converter. The switching allows a user to set the link speed for various conversion tasks. In some scenarios, the switching panel may also introduce latency, thereby making the device unsuitable for various tasks.