Do you have a need to extend your home network around your property? Maybe you want reliable internet in the shed you turned into a work-from-home office, or your garage or workshop? Today I’m going to explain what you need to run fiber optic newtorking around your home and property on a budget, for high bandwidth and low latency networking. Fiber doesn’t have any issues with lightning or electrical potential changes between buildings, and can handle much higher bandwidth with higher reliability than wifi mesh or point to point systems.

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It’s not as expensive as you think to run fiber in your network!

Contents⌗

• Video
• Hardware - Fiber
• Hardware - Media Converters
• Hardware - Network Cards
• Hardware - Network Switches
• Hardware - Transceivers
• Example Setups - My 1G BiDi
• Example Setups - My 10G Gaming Shed

Video⌗

Hardware Recommendations⌗

This section has more detailed links to the products I reference in the video. Enjoy!

Some links to products may be affiliate links, which may earn a commission for me.

Fiber⌗

For Fiber, there are a lot more options for singlemode than multimode. In general, ordering custom length patch cables is the easiest way to go. In general I have bought fiber from fs.com for my own projects, so that’s what I’m linking here. For all of these options, you can click ‘customize’ and have the right length made to order.

Networking fiber uses LC connectors with UPC polish, which is color coded blue (vs green for APC polish, used in PON fiber-to-the-home systems).

In general you should use riser rated cables indoors, there are very narrow use cases where you would need plenum rating (low smoke) in a normal house. In my locale it’s not required for low voltage cables at all in the residential code. If you are going underground in conduit the whole way, you can use indoor rated fiber (it’s considered a wet location, but not subject to damage), and if you are going outdoors you need to use a UV stable jacket (such as TPU) instead of PVC. If you need plenum rating, when customizing, change the jacket type from ‘PVC’ to ‘Plenum (OFNP)’

I don’t use armored cable, but I have done all of these runs after building the house and am more concerned with fishing the wiring easily through tough spaces. If you’re installing at construction time, it might be a good idea to use armored cable to protect from damage during construction. Remember, it’s effectively imposible to repair the fiber.

OM3 Multimode (Duplex)⌗

Remember, you want aqua cables (if they are colored indicating type), not orange. If the ends are colored, they should be blue, not green.

• OM3 Patch Cable Duplex LC
• OM3 Patch Cable Armored duplex LC

OS2 Singlemode (Duplex)⌗

OS2 should be colored yellow if colored to match type, and the ends should be blue if colored to match type.

• OS2 Patch Cable Duplex LC
• OS2 Patch Cable Armored Duplex LC
• OS2 Industrial Armored TPU Cable - Make sure to select 2 fibers, LC UPC Duplex

OS3 Singlemode (Simplex / BiDi)⌗

These are only for BiDi use, use duplex if you aren’t going to do BiDi.

Link to Zhongyi Cable

• OS2 Patch Cable Simplex LC
• OS2 Industrial Armored TPU Cable - Make sure to select single fiber, LC UPC Simplex

Media Converters⌗

These devices strictly convert from a transceiver to copper, nothing more, nothing less. They are cheap and you should use them if you already have wired Ethernet hardware at this end of the link you want to connect to. Any of these options can go at either end of the link, as long as they are running at the same speed.

• 1G SFP to RJ45 - TP-Link MC220L - I use this one, it runs at 1G SFP.
• 10G SFP+ to RJ45 Mult-Gig - I have not used this one myself, it requires 10G on the SFP+ side, and will negotiate 1/2.5/5/10G on the RJ45 side.

Network Cards⌗

These go in your computer and accept an SFP/SFP+ module. You may need to do some configuration with ethtool / windows / … to set the link speed if you are not using the rated speed. Recommended for ‘servers’ especially, but also good for high bandwidth desktops and workstations. Also, be aware of the form factor - a lof of these cards come in OCP NIC and normal PCIe slot sizes, and you probably can’t use an OCP NIC in your regular desktop.

• Intel X520-DA1/DA2 (10G capable) - only difference is DA1 = 1 port, DA2 = 2 port. Do NOT get T1/T2/.. versions, those are RJ45.
• Mellanox Connect-X 3 (10G capable) - Make sure it’s Ethernet and 10G SFP+, they made CX3 cards with 10G QSFP and Infiniband variants. If you want to go for higher speeds in the future, the Connext-X 4 family can do 25G with SFP28, which is the next speed tier up above SFP+, and is also backwards compatible. If you are building a router, some people claim the newer Intel X710-DA is better, although I can’t say one way or another.

Network Switches and Routers⌗

A ton of network switches have SFP or SFP+, here are just a few of my favorites. I use Mikrotik equipment, so that’s what I’ve listed here. Feel free to shop around as well, there are a lot of good regional distributors for this (i.e. Baltic Netoworks in the US, Getic in the EU) depending on your location.

• Mikrotik RB260GS (1G capable) - 5 Copper, 1 SFP port
• Mikrotik RB260GSP (1G capable) - Same as above, but with passive PoE out (if you don’t know about passive PoE, be warned).
• Mikrotik hEX S Ethernet Router (1G capable) - Same ports as RB260, but a full router
• Mikrotik hAP AC WiFi Router (1G capable) - Same as above, but with WiFi as well. You can also use it as a WiFi access point + switch, using the router you already have.
• Mikrotik CRS328-24P-4S+RM (10G SFP+ capable) - The big 24 PoE + 4 SFP+ port switch that I use in my house

Transceivers⌗

OM3 Multimode (Duplex)⌗

Choose the same transceiver for both ends.

• Basic 1G SFP from FS.com
• Basic 1G SFP from Amazon
• 10G SFP+ from FS.com
• 10G SFP+ from Amazon

OS2 Singlemode (Duplex)⌗

Choose the same transceiver for both ends.

• Basic 1G SFP from FS.com
• Basic 1G SFP from Amazon
• 10G SFP+ from FS.com
• 10G SFP+ 2km from FS.com
• 10G SFP+ from Amazon

OS3 Singlemode (Simplex / BiDi)⌗

Choose a MATCHED PAIR here, with opposite transmit/receive wavelengths on each end

• Basic 1G SFP SIDE A
• Basic 1G SFP SIDE B
• 10G SFP+ SIDE A
• 10G SFP+ SIDE B

Example Setup Lists⌗

These are some example setups I’ve setup for you to use to think about what you need for your project.

1G Cheap BiDi Setup⌗

This is a simple gigabit BiDi setup that can be used to run Ethernet long distances, to outbuildings, etc. with a simple media converter to connect to your existing network and a switch at the far end.

• Fiber (Indoors / In Conduit) - I recommend the 3mm jacket for increased robustness
• Fiber (Outdoors / Direct Burial) - Fiber Count = Simplex, Connectors = LC UPC Simplex
• Basic 1G SFP SIDE A
• Basic 1G SFP SIDE B
• Media Converter for one side
• Mikrotik Switch for other side Total Cost is around $100 for indoor fiber or $200 for outdoor fiber, depending on the length.

My 10G Gaming Shed Setup⌗

This is the setup I actually used in the video.

• Fiber (Indoors / In Conduit)
• Transceivers (2x)
• Intel X520-DA1/DA2
• Mikrotik CRS328-24P-4S+RM

Since I already had the switch, I actually spent $98 on the rest of the parts, but the switch is an additional $489 at list price (obviously it can do a whole lot more than just this one run though).

For more Custom Fiber Optic Cablesinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

ELECTING THE CORRECT FIBER OPTICS CABLE

Sorting through cables and connectivity options can be a frustrating exercise. It's hard enough working through the categories and levels of copper networking cables, where most cables end with the same connector. What happens when you start looking at fiber optic cables? That's where things can really get confusing! That's what this paper is designed to help out with — how to select the right kind of fiber optic cable.

Let's start off by saying that fiber optic cables can be used in a huge variety of applications, from small office LANs, to data centers, to inter-continental communication links. The data lines that connect between North America and Europe, for instance, are made of fiber optic cable strung underneath the ocean. Our discussion in this paper is going to focus primarily on the types of cables found in those small-scale networks closer to home, and in particular to pre-terminated cables that may be readily available for installation, called "patch cords", "pre-terms", or other similar nicknames.

Multimode and Single mode

One of the first things to determine when choosing fiber optic cables is the "mode" of fiber that you need. The mode of a fiber cable describes how light beams travel on the inside of the fiber cables themselves. It's important because the two modes aren't compatible with each other — you can't substitute one for the other.

There's really not much variety with single mode patch cords, but there is for multimode. There are varieties described as OM1, OM2, and OM3. Basically, these varieties have different capabilities around speed, bandwidth, and distance, and the right type to use will depend mostly upon the hardware that is being used with them, and any other fiber that the patch cords will be connecting to. Take a look at the table below for some more detail around the OM varieties.

Jackets

Pre-term fiber can be used in a variety of installation environments, and as a result, may require different jacket materials. The standard jacket type is called OFNR, which stands for "Optical Fiber Non-conductive Riser". This is a long-winded way of saying, there's no metal in it, so it won't conduct stray electrical current, and it can be installed in a riser application (going from one floor up to the next, for instance). Patch cords are also available with OFNP, or plenum jackets, which are suitable for use in plenum environments such as drop-ceilings or raised floors. Many data centers and server rooms have requirements for plenum-rated cables, and the local fire codes will always have the final say in what jacket type is required. The final option for jacket type is LSZH, which stands for "Low Smoke Zero Halogen", which is a jacket made from special compounds which give off very little smoke and no toxic halogenic compounds when burned. Again, check with the local fire code authority to be sure of the requirements of the installation before making the jacket selection.

Simplex vs. Duplex

Simplex vs. duplex is just the difference between one fiber or two; between one connector at each end of a cable, or two connectors at each end. That's all there is to it. Duplex patch cords are the most common type, because the way that most fiber electronics work is that they need two fibers to communicate. One is used to transmit data signals, and the other receives them. However, in some instances, only one fiber is required, so simplex patch cords may be necessary for certain applications. If you're not sure, you can always be on the safe side by ordering duplex patch cords, and only using one of the two fibers.

Connectors

Remember what we said in the beginning about copper category cables? No matter what level of twisted pair you were dealing with (Cat 5, 5e, etc), you always knew you'd be dealing with an 8-position modular RJ-45 plug on the end of the cable. Well, with fiber patch cords, you've got a few options available when it comes to connectors. Let's take a look at the common connector types:LC — This is a small, squarish connector that is held in place by a push/pull mechanism. This is currently the most popular type of connector.

• SC — This connector is square, like an LC, but is approximately twice the size. It also holds into place using a push/pull mating mechanism.
• ST — This is a round connector that uses a bayonet-style mechanism that has to be twisted into place. It is about the same size as the SC connector. It was once the most popular connector type, but is losing ground rapidly.
• MTRJ — The MTRJ connector closely resembles an RJ-style modular plug, even getting part of its name from the resemblance.

These are the most common selections that you'll find when choosing amongst patch cords. If you're able to determine which of these characteristics you need, it's highly likely you will make the right choice when shopping for fiber optic patch cables.

This white paper is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. C2G makes no guarantees, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information found in this document.