2
T
here are many variations of
the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet spec:
10BASE2, 10BASE-T, 10BASE5,
10BASE-FL, etc. Each standard
clearly defines unique require-
ments for network communica-
tions using different components
and different cables. The media
converter’s job is to bridge the
gap between these various
Ethernet types.
Media converters convert the
incoming electrical signal from
one cable type and transmit it
over another type—thick coax
to Thin, UTP to fiber, and so on.
Because they operate at the
Physical Network Layer, they’re
totally transparent to network
operation. They don’t slow data
throughput, and there‘s no limit
to how many you can install.
Media converters are
primarily used for integrating
modern UTP or fiber networks
with legacy standard or Thin
Ethernet networks. Another
popular application is to use
a pair of media converters to
extend the reach of a copper-
based network with fiber optic
cable. This is an easy way to
extend your network without
adding to your repeater count.
Types of media converters.
If you only need to translate
between two wiring systems
(10BASE-T to fiber, for example),
a standalone media converter
is all you need. These can be
desktop boxes or card-based
converters that plug into a PC slot
alongside a 10BASE-T card.
As your network expands,
however, you’re likely to need
to translate many cable types.
That’s when a media converter
chassis comes in handy. It multi-
plies the number of converter
options available for your users,
and it houses everything in one
place, so you save space.
Some chassis-based media
converters even support internal
power supplies or have space
for redundant backup power
supplies. If your installation is
growing fast, you can choose a
media converter such as one of
our FlexPoint Media Converters,
which can be used individually as
a standalone converter and then
rackmounted in a chassis when
your network expands.
Other UTP-to-fiber media
converters incorporate redundant
link functions. These smart
converters not only extend a
network across fiber, but they
switch communications to a
backup link automatically if the
primary link fails. They may even
work as Layer 2 switches, sepa-
rating each link into its own
collision domain, so you get faster
throughput and better security.
Sometimes, all you want to do
is link mismatched fiber types
to extend your network. For this,
there are mode-type media
converters, which translate
signals from multimode to single-
mode fiber optic signals. This way,
you can seamlessly integrate
multimode and higher-bandwidth
single-mode segments.
Take care to calculate maximum
cable lengths.
When using media converters
to join segments, you need to pay
attention to the overall length of
every cable that makes up the
circuit. That‘s because all cable
types have a maximum distance
limit specified by the IEEE, and
even though you’re mixing media,
you need to observe these limits
relative to the overall segment
length.
For example, if your central
fiber run is 3328 feet (50 percent
of the 6656-foot limit specified for
10BASE-FL), the combined length
of both UTP segments at each
end of the fiber may not exceed
164 feet, or 50 percent of the 328-
foot 10BASE-T limit. Otherwise,
the sum of the various cable-limit
percentages would exceed 100
percent—a condition that could
cause problems on your network.
Technically Speaking
The AC power supply is a
universal external transformer
that requires a nearby AC power
outlet. The PowerTray provides
power for up to 18 converters in
only 1.5U of rack space.
Rackmount ears are included.
More power to you.
Equipped with all the features
of the Miniature Media
Converters, the plug-and-play
Industrial MultiPower Media
Converters offer additional power
options, including support for the
IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet
(PoE) standard. Plus, Industrial
MultiPower Media Converters
are designed for use in harsh
industrial environments.
In all, there are four different
ways to power the converter: with
its AC adapter, using 5–50-VDC
terminal block power, via an
optional USB Power Adapter
Cable, or over a PoE link.
You can even use multiple
power options at the same time to
provide maximum redundancy
and ensure that your mission-
critical applications remain up
and running. For instance, you
can connect a converter to power
sourcing equipment (PSE) for PoE
while also using AC adapter
power, DC terminal block power,
and USB bus power. Then, if any
one of these power sources fails,
the other sources will continue to
supply power to the converter
seamlessly.
You can also connect a PSE
switch to an uninterruptible
power supply to ensure that the
switch and each connected
media converter always have
power.
The converters come with DIN
clips, so you can attach them to a
DIN rail. When installing multiple
Industrial MultiPower Media
Converters on a DIN rail, use one
DC input source, then cascade
from one DC block to the next
until you reach the maximum
current available.
Recognize any of these
situations?
• You wait more than 30
minutes to get through to a
vendor’s tech support.
• The so-called “tech” can’t
help you or gives you the
wrong answer.
• You don’t have a purchase
order number and the tech
refuses to help you.
• It’s 9 p. m. and you need help,
but your vendor’s tech
support line is closed.
According to a survey by Data
Communications magazine, 90%
of network managers surveyed
say that getting the technical
support they need is extremely
important when choosing a
vendor. But even though network
managers pay anywhere from 10
to 20% of their overall purchase
price for a basic service and
support contract, the technical
support and service they receive
falls far short of their
expectations—and certainly isn’t
worth what they paid.
At Black Box, we guarantee
the best value and the best
support. You can even consult our
Technical Support Experts before
you buy if you need help selecting
just the right component for your
application.
Don’t waste time and
money—call Black Box today.
Why Buy From Black Box? Exceptional
Value. Exceptional Tech Support. Period.
