advantage of fiber over copper-based media

natalie_m · June 2005

There is a question that states, "What is the advantage of fiber optic cable over copper-based media?" The correct answer is that it is immune to EMI. I was thinking that since it is copper based that it would not be immune to emi, but the advantage would be that it is easier to implement. If someone could clarify, it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Natalie

Noods · June 2005

Benefits of fiber over copper.

Speed
Not susceptable to EMI

Benefits of copper over fiber

Cheaper
Easier to implement

Baredor · June 2005

I think you have the question slightly reversed. Let's do it like this:

Fiber advantages:
Immune to EMI
Much longer range before attenuation, and potentially higher transfer speeds (depends on what speed fiber you're using of course)

Fiber Disadvantages:
Much more expensive
More difficult to install

Copper advantages:
Cheaper than fiber
Easy to install

Copper disadvantages:
Prone to EMI (especially around flourescant lighting)
Shorter range than fiber (100m on base T)

Edit: Noods beat me. :P

jmc724 · June 2005

Another for fiber, not prone to eavesdropping....

natalie_m · June 2005

Thanks for the replies. I just realized I was reading too much into it. I was thinking of cddi. Thanks for the examples to deal with my brain lapse.

Natalie

darkuser · June 2005

fiber is also "media independant"
meaning the capabilities are unlimited.
they are limited only by what we can do with the light.
ie how good the lasers are .... dwdm,cwdm.
copper has phisical limitations of distance, emf and so forth.

advantage of fiber over copper-based media

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