Fiber Network: All You Need To Know About It And The Products

Fiber Network: All You Need To Know About It And The Products

The future of the internet and networking is dependent on fiber and optical technology. Terms like optical fiber and broadband are no longer unheard of. The fast internet communication and network setup have become feasible for fiber connectivity. The speed can reach up to 1Gb per second, and most people can now accept it. But the process of establishing such a network is not easy as there are several components and aspects to consider. Read on to learn more about the network and its distinct components. 

Types of fiber networks - Fiber networks are of different types depending on the source and destination nodes of the network. FTTH, FTTC and FTTN are the three types. FTTH or FTTP is where the internet connection goes straight to the house. FTTC or fiber to curb is where the connection goes to the nearest utility box, and lastly, FTTN is where the connection goes to the node or neighborhood. The fundamental process of fiber network functioning is similar in all the cases. The beam of optical ray passes through the optic cables or fibers for ensuring communication. 

Optical fibers – The backbone of the network

Optical fibers are flexible and transparent cables made of silica. It helps in transmitting optical rays or light. The fibers establish the network for reliability and transmission power. Compared to metallic fibers and transport mediums, the optical fibers allow transmission over a long distance. The bandwidth or data transmission rate is also higher with these optical fibers. Fibers are the primary component of the internet network for their capacity to transfer signals without loss. Even if there is signal loss over the long-distance, it is lower than metal fibers. 

Benefits of fiber network

A fiber network is currently the most reliable internet transmission technique for high speed and robust signal transmission. The network can connect long-distance and ensure a high data rate with low signal loss. The uses of fiber networks are prominent in communication, remote sensing, and many more. Among the different applications, telecommunication and internet transmission are among the most beneficial aspects of a fiber network.  

• Efficiency and connectivity - With a high-speed network, the streaming experience has improved with ease of connectivity. The fiber optic network provided by the ISPs provides a high bandwidth and, it has enhanced service quality. In professional applications, high speed has helped in seamless connectivity with improved efficiency. 
• Telecommuting and access - Telecommuting and remote access processes have become easy with the fiber networks. The faster internet access and multi-split points in network distribution have also positively influenced the cost factor. 

Hardware and components of the network

Establishing a fiber optic network needs multiple hardware components. Each part is crucial for the overall functioning of the network. Even if one part of the network is faulty, the operation can halt. However, the chances of network disruption are low with fiber-based optical signal transmission. Following are some of the crucial components that are indispensable parts in a fiber network - 

Fiber optic cable

Optical fiber cable has a similar assembly to any electrical cable and contains multiple optical fibers. The optical fibers are present inside the protective layer so that there are no distortions in transmitting the signal. The optic cables are suitable for telecommunication, high-speed and efficient data connection. There are multiple segments in the cables – The core and cladding layer. The signal follows the total internal reflection technique to pass through a long distance along the fibers. These are highly robust and can sustain the environmental impacts easily. 

Fiber optic patch cord

The fiber optic patch cord is a cable capped with connectors at both ends. It allows a swift and convenient transmission. Usually, you can find these in telecommunication setups and equipment, optical switches, etc. The interconnected-styled cable has prominent characteristics like – low insertion loss, optimal environmental protection, good repeatability and high return loss. These get constructed with a high refractive index and the surrounding with a lower value for refractive index. 

OTDR launch box and Rackmount or patch panel

OTDR launch cables and boxes are for connecting them to OTDRs to evaluate the fiber loss. The pulse suppresser cables connect the OTDR to the link (to be tested). The fiber launch box gets placed between OTDR and the link and is essential for tracing the link. The measurement can be done through manual or automated programs. A rackmount or patch panel helps in linking multiple IT devices together. You can find them in telecommunication setups, central hubs, data centers, etc. These are also available in several configurations depending on the network scale. 

Summing note

Fiber networks are currently highly significant, and so are the different hardware components required for establishing them. You can find these components from the leading manufacturers and suppliers. The many configurations and functional capacity of the components make them unique for establishing the network. If you need to order similar parts or hardware, check the characteristics and operability before ordering.