How to Use Media Converter in Your Network

Media converters are becoming more and more popular because of their flexibility. They can connect copper cable systems with optical systems and are highly cost-effective. They provide a simple and efficient solution for extending the limited transmission distance of copper cables and can effectively solve the limited UTP copper cable coverage. Media converters are also widely used in the access layer of various industry networks, such as monitoring systems, campus networks, and enterprise networks, to help seamlessly connect copper and optical fiber networks. This article will take you to a detailed understanding of what a transceiver is and its application in different situations.

What is a Media Converter

The media converter is a network device, that can be used between different types of physical media to convert data. It can link and convert other network rings to achieve interoperability and connection between network devices. For example, optical fiber signals can be converted into electrical signals through a sfp media converter and transmitted through copper cables. Conversely, electrical signals can also be converted into optical signals through a media converter and transmitted in optical fibers. Some ethernet media converters also have PoE functions, which can directly power devices such as surveillance and IP phones. Extending the transmission distance of copper cables is also one of the functions of media converters.

Media Converter User Guide

Fiber to RJ45 Network Application

When you need to convert electrical signals into optical fiber signals for transmission, you can connect them by using a gigabit media converter with 1 SFP interface and 1 RJ45 interface. It allows you to connect the RJ45 port of switch A to the SFP port of switch B through a sfp media converter, which can achieve a transmission speed of 1Gbps. Their specific connection methods are as follows:

1. Use a UTP cable to connect the RJ45 port of switch A to the RJ45 port of the fiber to RJ45 media converter

2. Insert the SFP module into the SFP port on the fiber to ethernet media converter and insert another SFP module into switch A

3. Connect the two SFP modules with a fiber jumper

In this way, the mutual conversion of electrical signals to optical signals can be completed, which greatly increases the flexibility of the network and transmits signals between different physical media networks at a lower cost.

Extend Network Transmission Distance

The Media converters can be used to extend the transmission distance between two copper cable systems by converting the signal to fiber optics, which is also one of the most commonly used applications of media converters. Through two fiber to RJ45 media converters with 1 SFP port and 1 RJ45 port, the electrical signal is converted to optical and back to electrical, and the optical fiber is used to effectively extend its transmission distance. The specific connection steps are as follows:

1. Use the UTP cable above cat5e to connect the RJ45 port of switch A and fiber to ethernet media converter A

2. Insert the SFP module into the SFP port of media converter A and media converter B respectively

3. Connect the SFP modules of the two fiber to RJ45 media converters with optical fiber jumpers

4. Use a UTP cable to connect the RJ45 port of switch B and fiber to ethernet media converter B

As shown in the figure below, due to interference from various factors, the maximum transmission distance of the copper cable system is usually 100M. In addition to using sfp media converters, there are some other ways to extend its transmission distance, but fiber to RJ45 media converters are more common and simple. By using two media converters as a relay, the electrical signal is converted into an optical signal for transmission, which can extend the transmission distance to several kilometers or even tens of kilometers.

Single Mode to Multimode Conversion

The media converter can also provide single-mode to multi-mode fiber conversion and mutual conversion between single-fiber and dual-fiber. This applies to different optical types, distances, and wavelengths across various topologies and network architectures, thus achieving longer data transmission distances and ideal solutions. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Insert two 10G SR SFP+ modules into the SFP+ ports of switch A and fiber media converter A respectively, and connect them with a multimode fiber jumper

2. Use 10G LR SFP+ modules to insert the SFP+ ports of media converter A and media converter B respectively, and connect them with a single-mode fiber jumper

3. Then insert the SFP+ ports of switch B and media converter B into 10G SR SFP+ modules, and connect them with a multimode fiber jumper

Through the above three steps, multi-mode can be converted to single-mode for bidirectional transmission, completing the switching between single and multi-mode. It is worth noting that the fiber to fiber media converter is a hot-swappable device, which can be completed without turning off the power when inserting the module. However, when unplugging the module, you need to remove the optical fiber first, and when inserting the module, you need to insert the module into the corresponding port before connecting the optical fiber.

Things to Note When Using a Media Converter

Although the media converter is very easy to use and is a plug-and-play device, you still need to pay attention to the following points when using it.

Installation location: You need to install it in a relatively flat and safe place, and leave enough space for ventilation and cooling.

Ensure the wavelength and transmission rate are consistent: When you connect two media converters, you need to ensure that their wavelengths are consistent. For example, when your fiber media converter wavelength is 1310nm/850nm, the media converter on the other end should be the same. The transmission rate of the ethernet media converter also needs to be matched. If you are using a 1000M converter, the other end cannot be 10G.

Operating temperature: You need to refer to the datasheet to ensure that its operating temperature is within the normal range, otherwise the service life of the transceiver may be reduced or it may not work properly.

Duplex mode: Make sure whether your transceivers support full-duplex or half-duplex. If you mix full-duplex transceivers with half-duplex transceivers, it will cause serious network packet loss.

Link Fault Pass-through: QSFPTEK's media converters all support the LFP function, which means that when a link fault occurs, the fault information will be automatically passed to the other end. When a problem occurs on the sending or receiving end, the ethernet media converter will automatically shut down the Ethernet of the corresponding port, thereby notifying the device connected to the port that there is a link problem.

Conclusion

As a network medium used to connect different physical media, media converters can connect different networks to achieve operability and connectivity. It can significantly improve the flexibility and performance of the network, and also provide a simple and efficient solution for devices with limited transmission distance. If you have any questions about the media converter, please feel free to contact QSFPTEK's CCIE/HCIE engineers at [email protected].