What type of fibre cable do I need for this SFP transceiver?

[-]

dayton967@reddit

It actually says, under the Specifications, with "Max Cable Distance", those being the minimal cable specs to use, and under "Connector", will tell you the termination. Also SMF is Single Mode Fiber, and MMF is Multi Mode Fiber

Reply

[-]

pdp10@reddit

Multimode fiber, LC connector, is what that transceiver uses. OM4 at least; I don't know if there are any reasons not to use OM5 today. "MMF" is Multi-Mode Fiber, LC is the connector style (the modern style for a single pair used for Ethernet). If having fiber installed by a pro, I'd strongly consider singlemode, which requires slightly more expensive transceivers, but is simpler, more futureproof, and has a longer economic life. One doesn't normally pick one's fiber based on the transceiver that one has already.

Reply

[-]

nottypix@reddit

The only reason to use Singlemode instead of Multimode is distance. How is it "more futureproof"?

Reply

[-]

pdp10@reddit

Great question! To go over 10Gbit/s, multimode needs additional pairs, in an MPO/MPT connector. By comparison, singlemode fiber can use CWDM optics and get four 10 or 25Gbit/s channels on one pair.

Reply

[-]

nottypix@reddit

Ah. Interesting. I haven't seen orange jacket in years (except for unused building interconnects here and there). All I've seen for the past 10 or so years for internal communications is Aqua, even 24-strand steel-jacket armored fiber. (The ISP DEMARC's Airial/Buried black-jacket+messenger cable Single-Mode fiber being the exception) Once for internal connectivity at a giant coal-mining site I helped engineer, we had the ISP run the 40 or so miles of fiber throughout the 500+ acre property with their SM spool they use for everything else. They had to cross most of the property anyway to get to the centralized datacenter shack-thing where their DEMARC was, so it made sense to just have them pull two, and then continue on within the property since they're well equipped to do so.

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

Is single mode a single fiber optic cable instead of the pairs that are of multimode?

Reply

[-]

pdp10@reddit

The fiber optic cable has a difference size. [This is an excellent guide](https://community.fs.com/blog/single-mode-cabling-cost-vs-multimode-cabling-cost.html), slightly long. Multimode was always cheaper because of the transceiver cost, but around ten years ago the economic tables turned quite a bit from what they'd been the preceding 25 years. Instead of describing all the factors, it's quicker to ask what's being installed and why, and if 10Gbit/s and higher speeds are ever in the cards.

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the link. I’m going to have a read. Much appreciated.

Reply

[-]

St0nywall@reddit

You can also contact FS and they will let you know exactly what you need. They are very helpful there I've found.

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

I think I may do this. They were the ones that suggested the Lc transceiver but people are saying single mode is probably better to use instead of multi mode.

Reply

[-]

St0nywall@reddit

It all depends on your application which one is best suited. It also matters what hardware you are plugging it into can support. Single mode and multimode fiber cables are quite different when it comes to size, light source, signal, and so on. So they are definitely not interchangeable and compatibility issues can occur when you try to connect a single mode fiber optic connector to a multimode network. Also, multi-mode is significantly less expensive than single mode. Single mode is designed for long distances (40 KM) while multi-mode is designed for shorter distances (1300 feet or less). Here's a good write-up on it. Link: [https://vitextech.com/multi-mode-vs-single-mode-transceivers/](https://vitextech.com/multi-mode-vs-single-mode-transceivers/)

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

I think because the run is approx 150m I’ll go with multimode. Cheaper is good too. The switches I’m to be using is https://www.fs.com/products/90130.html

Reply

[-]

St0nywall@reddit

I don't know your application for these, but if they were to be used for point-to-point connections, you may want to change to 10GB SFP versions. Don't let the uplink be the bottleneck.

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

Understand the concern. Fortunately the only thing being used on the end of this is a single AP. It’s just to give wifi to a far building on a golf course for the golfers to order booze and food lol. It’s too far for copper wiring. The internet is garbage too so there will be no saturation of connection at all. Not possible at this point.

Reply

[-]

St0nywall@reddit

In that case, I'd recommend a weatherproof media converter and a weatherproof AP. Makes it easy to manage and not something you need to concern yourself if there's a water leak, etc.

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

Yea I’m going to be pricing a WatchGuard AP322CR outdoor AP.

Reply

[-]

St0nywall@reddit

If these are intended to connect buildings together, you may want to look at upgrading to 10GB. You don't want a 1GB link to be your bottleneck after spending so much on the fiber install and hardware.

Reply

[-]

Firefox005@reddit

Says in the name its an LC type. "1000BASE-SX SFP 850nm 550m DOM Duplex **LC** MMF Transceiver Module for FS Switches" and also its multimode.

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your response. So I need to get them to run a LC Multi Mode Fibre cable? Is this generally available or is it a specialty cable from only fs.com? Is the cable actually two ran together, but operating as a single cable? Sorry for the stupid questions.

Reply

[-]

VA_Network_Nerd@reddit

How long is the distance between the switches? I take it someone will install this fiber for you?

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

The run is approx 150m. Yes I need to tell the person pulling the fiber through the conduit what cable to purchase so they can do the labour intensive work, and I’m having a cable installer terminate the ends for me. I’m doing the technical configurations.

Reply

[-]

VA_Network_Nerd@reddit

Ok, I am not advocating for this website or reseller. I'm just using them as an example. https://www.lanshack.com/6-Strand-Indoor-Plenum-1040100-GIG-50125-OM4-Multimode-Fiber-Optic-Cable-by-the-Foot-P8703 6-strand OM4 Multi-Mode is $0.96 a foot. 6-strand Single-Mode is $0.49 a foot. 150 meters is roughly 500 feet. So, $480 for MMF or $245 for SMF. Cost to terminate is about the same. Cost to install is about the same. The cost of optics (SFP/SFP+ transceivers) can be dramatically more expensive if you don't buy third-party. But if you compare FiberStore Optics: https://www.fs.com/products/29838.html = $7/each for MMF https://www.fs.com/products/48929.html = $8/each for SMF the cost difference is trivial. I'd terminate them into some kind of a wall-mount box like this: https://www.panduit.com/en/products/fiber-optic-systems/fiber-optic-panels-cassettes-enclosures/fiber-optic-enclosures/fwme2.html There are smaller and cheaper options out there, work with your installer. That's just an example. Don't ever pull one single pair of fiber. The smallest cable you should ever pull is 6-strand. Why? That gives you two standard connections (2-strand each) for redundancy plus one spare 2-strand connection. Just to drive the point home: https://www.lanshack.com/2-Strand-Indoor-Plenum-Singlemode-Fiber-Optic-Cable-by-the-Foot-P8695 2-strand SMF is $0.27 a foot or $135 for 150m So you save yourself $100 in fiber cost and maybe another $100 in termination to deny yourself the option to have redundant connections and a spare connection. That's not a smart cost savings. One last comment in favor of SMF: The current standard of SMF was released in 2009. Single-Mode fiber installed in 2009 is ready for 800GbE today.

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

Hmm that gives me a lot to think about. I’ll see if I can get a compatible SFP single mode LC transceiver that works with the switches I’m eyeballing so I can have them pull 6 strand single mode fibre instead of multi mode to save on cost. Ffs. There’s so much to know here lol. Used to just buying cat6 and calling it a day.

Reply

[-]

pdp10@reddit

Preterminated patch cables are one pair, with an LC connector preinstalled on both ends. Unterminated cable being pulled, is normally a bundle of 2-12 individual strands. The strands are terminated into a patch panel, and any two strands can be selected to make a pair.

Reply

[-]

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

Oh I see. So as long as they pull two strands they can be put together to make a pair and used in the LC connector for a single run (for multimode). That makes sense. Thank you.

Reply

[-]

rynoxmj@reddit

OM4 multimode fibre with LC connectors. You can buy it in premade lengths, like so: [https://www.fs.com/products/40233.html?country=CA&currency=CAD&languages=English&paid=google\_shopping&utm\_country=9001260&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyLGjBhDKARIsAFRNgW\_4MhDrCHuBHsewGrvemao09zzilyTTOJ8AFpbevEoHgtDjN7eCxZAaAkVrEALw\_wcB](https://www.fs.com/products/40233.html?country=CA&currency=CAD&languages=English&paid=google_shopping&utm_country=9001260&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyLGjBhDKARIsAFRNgW_4MhDrCHuBHsewGrvemao09zzilyTTOJ8AFpbevEoHgtDjN7eCxZAaAkVrEALw_wcB) Alternatively you can have the fibre ran and then ended.

What type of fibre cable do I need for this SFP transceiver?

Reply to Post

27 Comments

dayton967@reddit

pdp10@reddit

nottypix@reddit

pdp10@reddit

nottypix@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

pdp10@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

St0nywall@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

St0nywall@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

St0nywall@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

St0nywall@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

St0nywall@reddit

Firefox005@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

VA_Network_Nerd@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

VA_Network_Nerd@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

pdp10@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)

rynoxmj@reddit

DeejayCa@reddit (OP)