Fiber or circuit protected CAT6?

[skyking]

I need to connect the network a nearby building to the main office. I currently have a messenger wire and a 6 pair cat3 voice cable with proper circuit protection and bonding strung between the buildings, and will either have to add another 6 pair or change it out for 12 pair.
I can run outdoor rated multimode, but I will have to get a media converter on the main office end, and can get the other end over to a SFP converter in the remote office switch. I will need to hire the termination for the fiber, I don't have the tools or expertise for that.
The alternative is to run outdoor rated CAT6 and protect both ends with CAT6 Primary Surge protectors.
Either solution will yield a gigabit link. What do you guys think? I can do all the work on the copper, which is a plus. Hardware count will be the same, since the total copper run requires an intermediate switch with the all copper solution.

 

[hawk82]

Personally I'd recommend fiber, as that is the best long term solution. Fiber to Ethernet media converters have dropped in price as well.

 

[kevnich2]

I second the fiber recommendation, it's better long term, more future proof. You can put media converters on for now until you have switches that built in fiber then just take off the converters and plug right into the switch.

 

[jlazzaro]

+3 on fiber, its the right thing to do 🙂

 

[cmetz]

skyking, use single mode nowadays.

 

[ScottMac]

Fiber.

If you want something interesting, and your messenger is already populated / full, check out some Figure Eight ... if you wnat *really* interesting, check out the Kevlar Figure Eight (made for high-tension use, on / near ultra-high voltage towers).

If you try more copper here, I'll tell your Mom :frown:

FWIW

.02

Scott

 

[skyking]

Not my mom!
Hi Scott🙂 I figured on going fiber, and ordered a piece yesterday, a 6 strand multimode airblock( god how I hate messing with ickypick! ) that is rated for aerial when lashed to a messenger. I went with 12 pair cat3 and I can lash those on the ground for ease and safety. Any suggestions for a reasonably priced gigabit media converter? I can get to the switch on one end and use a GBIC there.

 

[jlazzaro]

Originally posted by: skyking
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced gigabit media converter?

not the cheapest, but ive always used transition networks...

standalone gigabit converters

Originally posted by: cmetz
skyking, use single mode nowadays.

curious as to why if his run is less than a few miles. single mode fiber itself is a little more pricey, and depending on what vendor, LX modules can cost more than double SX...

 

[skyking]

yeah, I was wondering that. The run is 200' of fiber. All the single mode end gear seemed a bit pricey.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: jlazzaro

Originally posted by: skyking
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced gigabit media converter?

not the cheapest, but ive always used transition networks...

standalone gigabit converters

Originally posted by: cmetz
skyking, use single mode nowadays.

curious as to why if his run is less than a few miles. single mode fiber itself is a little more pricey, and depending on what vendor, LX modules can cost more than double SX...

Multimode is running out of bandwidth REAL quick. In all honesty I'd run both. High bandwidth 50 micron MM and single mode.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: jlazzaro

Originally posted by: skyking
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced gigabit media converter?

not the cheapest, but ive always used transition networks...

standalone gigabit converters

Originally posted by: cmetz
skyking, use single mode nowadays.

curious as to why if his run is less than a few miles. single mode fiber itself is a little more pricey, and depending on what vendor, LX modules can cost more than double SX...

Multimode is running out of bandwidth REAL quick. In all honesty I'd run both. High bandwidth 50 micron MM and single mode.

It won't be an issue in this case. The building is slated for demo in a few years, it is older than dirt and looks it🙂
I took a look, and I can make the run all the way to the switch in the main office. No more pricey dedicated media converter needed:thumbsup:

 

[jlazzaro]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: jlazzaro

Originally posted by: skyking
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced gigabit media converter?

not the cheapest, but ive always used transition networks...

standalone gigabit converters

Originally posted by: cmetz
skyking, use single mode nowadays.

curious as to why if his run is less than a few miles. single mode fiber itself is a little more pricey, and depending on what vendor, LX modules can cost more than double SX...

Multimode is running out of bandwidth REAL quick. In all honesty I'd run both. High bandwidth 50 micron MM and single mode.

curious, at what distance does gigabit over mm get iffy? a search yeilds recomendations to stay under ~500 meters...

 

[spidey07]

Gigabit isn't the problem with MM. 10 gig and higher is.

MM wasn't made for use with lasers. You need lasers for the higher speeds.

 

[skyking]

Update:
I ran Superior Essex indoor/outdoor rated tight buffer fiber, 6 count. It was small (0.20" dia.), light, and best of all no gel mess. Filled with kevlar, it was probably strong enough for the 120' span, but I ran it on the 12 pair armored voice cable as a messenger.
I paid for a tech to terminate it, and it works great🙂 I ran it switch to switch and used SFP in the combo ports for a cost effective, reliable solution. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[ScottMac]

Sounds like a winner! Good job!

I'm betting you'll be much happier in the long run .... so to speak ...😀