Installing fiber connectors

[Deepseadata]

Hey thanks for reading.

I've got a few Cisco 3560 switches installed on different decks of a yacht. They have installed 62.5 MM fiber to connect the 3 switches but left me raw ends.

I'm no fiber expert. I looked into getting some connectors and the asked me some pretty touch questions:

LC or SC? I think SC
Single or multi mode? Multi
Simplex or Duplex? I don't know.
Diameter of the fibre core? 62.5

I think the real reason why I'm so confused is the SPF's I've plugged into the switches. They have dual plugs... but my fiber only has 1 core... am I wrong?

Does duplex mean that I just use half of the SPF and a single cable to do both tx and rx?

 

[resorttech12]

From what I saw on the product site, that switch takes an LC connector.

So, depending on how you want to do it:
You COULD terminate those fibers into an LC connector, but it is not recommended to plug them directly into equipment. If at all possible, terminate the fibers into whatever connector type you want, and place them into some kind of panel - either wall or rack mount. These will plug into an adaptor. Then, it is just a matter of getting the proper patch cord to plug into the switch.

As for specifics, an SC switch SFP should be approx 2 inches, whereas the LC would be half that.

Not sure of the context of the Simplex/Duplex question. Duplex means 2. So a duplex "connector" has two strands of fiber, one for tx, one for rx.

Let us know if you need more clarification.

mk

 

[robertjo24]

Corning Cable Systems makes a CamLock connector that is fairly easy to install. You can rent the kit (comes with an instructional CD), and the connectors are about $30 each (I think). Once you rent the kit and train yourself though, yopu might be better off hiring this out. It won't cost too much to have a guy come in and terminate the ends of the fiber for you.

I agree with resorttech above, have the fiber terminated into a surface mount box. This will help keep the fibers from being damaged later on.

The spec sheet shows the fiber interace for the switches are LC. You will need LC multimode duplex patch cords to inertconnect from the surface mount boxes to the switches.

 

[Deepseadata]

Hey! Thanks for that great info. I hadn't even thought about the fact that I'd need to terminate at a patch panel or box of some sort.

The Cisco 3560 switches all have GLC-SX-MM= SPF's installed in them. You're right, it does use LC connectors.

Even if I have a company come and do it. I only have one run of cable to connect two switches together. I wonder if it's even possible to connect these together with only one cable.

The Cable is Kerpen Gigaline 8G62.5/125

found this link on the web.

http://www.mastr-netoptic.cz/eng/page33.html

So.. my major question now is is it possible to connect two SPF's with one run of fiber?

 

[robertjo24]

When you say you only have one cable, do you mean ther is only one strand of fiber in the cable?

If you only have one strand of fiber, you will need a fiber converter to from a single strand to copper. I have not seen one that is sigle strand to duplex fiber, but it wouldn't hurt to search the WEB.

Blac Box (blackbox.com) has single strand to copper converters. With this you could connect the two switches together via one of the copper ports. Be sure to select a converter that is multi-mode, as most of the single fiber converters are single-mode.

 

[mikeydidit]

The fiber is more than likely a multiple conductor (known as strand counts) (two strands to 6 strands) and they do need to be housed into a LIU or fiber patch panel. I would suggest ST (Straight Tip) connectors to the bulkhead (this is inside the LIU) Then you can buy premade fiber jumpers the length, mode, and with the connectors you need. This looks like ST-LC MM 62.5. (how ever many meters you need between your device and the LIU).

This will give you a good install and something trouble free.

"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), Inaugural Address, January 20, 1953

For the best response to a question, read faq690-6594

 

[resorttech12]

I think we need a bit more info as to how the fiber was run between your switches.

At the minimum I would think that you would have AT LEAST a 2f cable running to the first switch. "A few" sounds like at least 3 total switches. If they continued that run to the next or last switch, but left you a coil at the first one, it is easy enough. Cut the coil at the first switch in the middle of the loop and terminate both ends. You then have an input from the main switch, and an output to the next switch.
That is just guessing as to what you may have installed though.

mk

 

[Deepseadata]

This is a 260ft yacht. I'm at a shipyard. The shipyard has given me 2 runs of fiber (I hope I didn't say 3 before by accident) that will connect 3 switches together. Each switch is on a different deck of the yacht. They have run fiber from deck to deck and left me an extra 8ft of fiber on each end where the switches are.

From what you guys are telling me there's, most likey, more than one strand of fiber inside.. and that would be (very) good. When I looked inside the cable, there was a hardish core that looked like fiberglass. I assumed that the fiber was inside there. But around that, there were at least 6 little blue wire jackets with soft fiberglass wool surrounding them. Haha...I thought those blue things were just protection for the core because they were tiny.

The bottom line is.. There's usually more than one strand inside a cable. There's probably little chance I can install these connectors and locate the rest of the patch panel gear.

I'd give it a go but I'm in Germany and can't speak a lick of German.

 

[resorttech12]

Okay. This sounds like a typical indoor fiber. The hard core IS fiberglass, and it's called a strength member. This keeps the cable from exceeding its bend radius and provide it with stability. The "soft fiberglass wool" is actually kevlar or mylar. This is another protection, but is also used to pull the cable so as not to stress the glass itself.
Finally, what we have left is the "little blue wire jackets". I'm 99% sure this will be your fiber. HOPEFULLY it is more colors than just blue, cuz that is kind of important. If you had more than 8ft to play with I would tell you to strip one of them back. The fiber itself (what gets terminated) is about the size of a human hair.

The suggestion above for the camlock is right on. For someone without a lot of experience it will be the safest bet. Have you tried looking on the web for supply houses or installers? Corning used to be partnered with Siemens (what was known as Siecor), and I'm sure they would be available.

As far as the connection goes, I guess I am still slow. 2 cables and 3 switches is not adding up for me.

Hope that answered some of your questions.

mk

 

[mikeydidit]

From the sounds of it, you should leave the fiber alone. No offence is meant, but the 8 foot of slack that was left for terminating the fiber is just enough. I leave around 15 feet on both ends. (Just in case) We usually strip out about 5 foot back, and cut off anything that could be bad ends before placing a connector on the fiber. This also lets you make short coils inside the LIU so you have something to reterminate with should someone break a connector off later.


This is basically what you are trying to accomplish.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_network

"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), Inaugural Address, January 20, 1953

For the best response to a question, read faq690-6594

 

[mforrence]

Truly - your best bet is to hire the termination out to someone familiar with the practice. Life's too short.
Mike