simple way to add fiber to network?

[mcveigh]

I am helping someone who wants to run copper cat5e outside (I am in the lightning capital of the world BTW:roll I am trying to fight him on this and use wireless in this situation.

2 bldg's about 50ft apart. internet connection in 1 and the network in the other. He wants to dig a ditch and lay the cable in a PVC pipe. I still don't like the idea. Sooooooo

is there a easy way to do this w/ fiber? I have someone who coulsd get me the fiber (he does home audio stuff, very high end, but not computer networks) what would I need to plug fiberinto a regular rj45 connector on a switch? is it possible or are we talking big bucks?

 

[whalen]

You would need a fiber media converter to convert from the fiber to Cat5. You can get them cheep on ebay usually.

 

[MichaelD]

Hopefully, your friend can get you a premade piece of fiber, made to length, with the connectors already on it.

Fiber isn't like speaker wire or UTP; you don't just snip and crimp. The cut end must be polished then the connector mounted correctly, else it won't right, if at all.

Other than that, I believe I've seen those coverters for around $50 or so, IIRC.

BTW, what's wrong with UTP inside a conduit (PVC) buried about 18" underground? Would last forever...

 

[spidey07]

Michael,

there are these things called building and eletrical codes that are there to prevent fire. connecting the buildings without adequate grounding and lighting control would violate said codes.

Simple way to lay fiber is just encase it in all-weather conduit (that is grounded) and use some sort of ethernet transceiver or switch that has fiber ports.

 

[Snuffaluffaguss]

whats wrong with in the ground? there have been a thousand of post about it but basically you are bridging two buildings with different electrical ground points and you are putting out a big lighting rod.

 

[spidey07]

snuffaluffagus,

And now you understand my signature.

 

[Snuffaluffaguss]

ahh, i wrote my reply before seeing that spidey had replied, go with what he said :disgust:

 

[mcveigh]

did I mention I live in the lightning capital of the world

thansk for the info people, I still think my wi-fi is the cheapest

 

[MichaelD]

Ah. I forgot about those pesky little code-things. I'm of the "just do it" ilk. I go to Home Depot, but stuff and just do it. I don't see how burying a plastic pipe 18" underground is equivalent to a lightning rod, but hey, I don't get paid the big bucks to see these things.

Hmm, on a related note, how is this different from say, building a "shed" or "workshop" or "storage unit" out in your backyard and running a wire for 120VAC to it so you can have light in there? Kinda OT, but you've got me thinking early in the morning...that's a dangerous thing, you know.

 

[azev]

would using media converter from fiber to copper will reduce performance on a gigabit environment ?

 

[dexter333]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Ah. I forgot about those pesky little code-things. I'm of the "just do it" ilk. I go to Home Depot, but stuff and just do it. I don't see how burying a plastic pipe 18" underground is equivalent to a lightning rod, but hey, I don't get paid the big bucks to see these things.

Hmm, on a related note, how is this different from say, building a "shed" or "workshop" or "storage unit" out in your backyard and running a wire for 120VAC to it so you can have light in there? Kinda OT, but you've got me thinking early in the morning...that's a dangerous thing, you know.

I'm not too good with electricity but, in that case you're running electricity to somewhere that isn't grounded, so you're sharing the ground between the buildings I guess ;/