Chapter 8. Fiber Optic Media System (10BASE-F)
The 10BASE-F fiber optic media system uses pulses of light to send Ethernet signals. This approach has several advantages. For one thing, a fiber optic link segment can carry Ethernet signals for considerably longer distances than metallic media can. For example, a 10BASE-FL fiber optic link segment allows you to connect Ethernet hubs over distances as long as two kilometers (6,561.6 feet). Full-duplex fiber optic links sent over single-mode fiber can connect over considerably longer distances, as described later in this chapter.
Fiber optic media is widely used as the backbone cabling in a structured cabling system. It allows you to link Ethernet hubs located on each floor of the building with a media system that can travel longer distances than twisted-pair segments. Fiber optic media can also support higher speed Ethernet systems. This means that the fiber optic media you install to support a 10 Mbps Ethernet channel today can be used as a Fast or Gigabit Ethernet channel in the future.
In this chapter we discuss the evolution of the 10BASE-F system. We also discuss the signaling and media components used in 10BASE-F, and provide the basic configuration guidelines for a single 10BASE-F segment.
Old and New Fiber Link Segments
There are two 10 Mbps fiber optic link segment types in use, the original Fiber Optic Inter-Repeater Link (FOIRL) segment, and the newer 10BASE-FL segment. The original FOIRL specification described a link segment ...
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