Is Fiber Optics required for this network configuration?

[Antonov]

I have two networks in 2 different buildings. The distance between these two buildings is about 250 metres. Do I need to use Fiber Optics to link these 2 networks together? or Should I use a repeater and a UTP Cat 5 to link them together? 1 more question: Do i need a bridge as well?
Any advice is welcomed....

I am a beginner in networking.

Jason

 

[2ffat]

[tab]IMHO, I would use fiber optics simply because I feel it's more reliable at the distance you are talking about. By the time you figure in using a repeater with Cat 5, etc., etc. your cost for fiber may even be cheaper. Remember that even though the buildings are 250 meters apart, by the time you lay the wire through conduit, walls, ceilings, or what ever else you have to go through, your distance may be 300 - 400 meters. We have a couple of buildings about that distance and wanted to lay the cable under the ground. By the time we calculated the distance through the ceiling of one building and through through the ground, by-passing power lines, water mains, etc., we ending up with almost twice the length of the building distance.

[tab]Another thing that fiber will provide is insurance against lighting, ground faults (improper electrical ground), etc.. Fiber is worth the cost. [sig]<p>James P. Cottingham<br><a href=mailto: > </a><br><a href=

http://www.ivcusa.com>International

Veneer Co., Inc.</a><br>All opinions are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.[/sig]

 

[Pritch5000]

Hey.
I am just checking that you do have a pipe between the buildings and that you own the property between them.
Definately fibre. For one thing its not smart to put copper cable between building with separate electrical supplies.
If you can't physically, sensibly route the cable between the buildings, then you may want to consider a leased line and those bridges you mentioned.
Also if you intend to keep the networks separate, again you will need some form of bridge, which may just be two NICs in a computer.
Pritch. [sig][/sig]

 

[kcottrcdd]

Definately go with fiber. Aside from the fact that 250 meters is more than double the distance reccomended to run copper (any category) - You run the risk of ground faults and the occational lightning strike. Connectivity can be made with inevpensive media adaptors or hubs that have fiber ports. If it is noot necessary to keep your networks seperate - No bridges or routers would be required. [sig][/sig]