LAN and fibre optics question

[CocaCola5]

I am thinking to upgrade two of my PCs to gigbit capabilities, my Q: how much does a decent 1000Mbit nic cost, per foot of fibre optics cable, and a fibre based switch? If not outrageous I want to go with fibre instead of CAT5E.

 

[ScottMac]

Well, I haven't looked lately, but in round numbers ...

Probably $500+ for each NIC (optical transceivers are more expensive than copper transceivers),
I don't recall ever seeing an optical NIC with a 32 bit interface, only 64bit / 66MHz

A custom length 62.5/125 MM fiber jumper (looks like orange lamp cord) ~ US$1.00 a foot, plus 15.00 each end, plus ~$25.00. A pre-made 25 foot SC type to SC type jumper is ~60-100.00 ish.

Optical Gig Switch, six to eight ports, no less than $500-600.00, maybe more like 1500.00 to 2500.00 (or more).

For two machines, you could just run the jumper between 'em.

As mentioned, I haven't looked for a while, so I'm throwing a dart here based on what they used to cost...

Good Luck

Scott

 

[CocaCola5]

Thanks. The switch cost just killed it for me. It need to go down to 300-400 before its worth it for me.

 

[fatbaby]

optical is too outrageous!

$500 for each nic =0??

$65 d-link gigabit ethernet adapter
x2=$130

$8 10 ft. cat6 crossover cable
x2=$16

$236 dlink 8 port gigabit switch

Total=$382

switcj aint cheap

 

[BD231]

Its a waste as well, that kind of bandwith is ment for the big time networks.

 

[Nemesis77]

Go with regular Gigabit Ethernet. It's alot cheaper than optical. Just about the only advantage optical has over GigE is that it has better range. For normal network, Gigabit Ethernet is more than suitable.

But, I guess optical networks just have that coolness factor in 'em.

 

[Mavrick007]

For someone to actually get the use out of a Gigabit Ethernet even, it has to be enough. Even though I would like to have the best tech, I know my friends don't so that would mean I would be the only one with it or else I would have to supply them with it too(even if it was on my own machines it still wouldn't be worth it). Games aren't going to play any faster and I don't care if it takes a bit more time to transfer some files across the lan to another machine. Hell it doesn't matter much even past 10Mbit but most have at least 10/100 cards and switches. The internet will not take any any advantage to the extra bandwidth either even with the fastest connections available in the consumer market. 10Mbit is even more than enough for that in most cases and if it's actually in one of the areas that are testing the new super high speed 100Mbit connections, they usually provide that equipment in the cost of setting up. My small LAN at home is on a 100Mbit autosensing switch that goes to 10Mbit for the ADSL(actually only is 2Mbit connection down) and it's quite nice. Unless you are on a huge network which requires high speed between machines I wouldn't even worry about anything over 100Mbit at least until prices go down and more people support them.

 

[slag]

Well, its not gigabit, but it is MMF ATM (multi mode fiber).

I have 20 fore le155 atm pci cards (oc133) for sale. I'll take $95.00/card. I also have some pca200e atm oc3 (155 mbs) cards for sale (about 2-3 cards).

I have 13 3com ATM cards also still shrinkwrapped for sale. I'd make you a heck of a deal on those also.

These are all MMF cards, atm to your desktop!!!

 

[Dug]

The question is why? Your hd's won't be able to keep up with that speed

 

[dawbs]

I agree with DUG.... with wath your hard drive can process....

after saying that .. my neighbor is running his lan using firewire and it is very stable and fast... I will be setting mine up this weekend... your only limitations are hard drive and cable length (15 ft) of 6/6 cable ...

Supposedly it runs aroung 360 and is alot cheaper that FO.

I will report back over this weekend on the results...

dawbs