I need help with a fiber project - probably a simle question

I'm assuming your builidngs are relatively close.  You could run Multi-Mode fiber (cheaper connectors & cabling) Just have them terminitate it however you want (SC, ST, etc.)  Then you run patch cables from the fiber to your equipment - I'm thinking two fiber capable switches - one on each end.

How many pairs you want in the cable is up to you - it makes the cable more expensive, but not enough to really worry about it.  You could pull 6 pair, 12 pair, etc.  Just get quotes.  While you're pulling, you might as well get enough to accomodate future growth.

Franklinpublic
What model of switches do you currently have in each location?
Gbic interfaces are standard on some switches and will allow you to plug a terminated fiber connection into it.  Otherwise, you will need fibre media converters which are a seperate device powered by their own PSU.

Ideally the integrated switch models are better to work with for port monitoring.

Yes, the buildings are relatively close.  I'd estimate about 500 yards apart.  

Ok, if we run multi-mode fiber, I'll plan on 12 pair.  This way we ensure scalability.

The switches do have the GBIC uplinks.  But, don't I need a router to 'route' the traffic?  

Yes, you will need a router.      There are a bazillion makes and models to choose from, and the switch you have already is providing the media conversion.   I'd stick with CISCO.

I need to purchase the hardware in the next day or so, can someone reccomend the specific models I should buy?  

Franklinpublic
Need to know a bit more about what current hardware you have before putting in a solution e.g. you may have layer 3 switches that can do the routing for you if you want to use VLANS.  Do you intend to keep the ip address schemes seperate?  How many users in each building?  What switches are you currently using?

You could use standalone fibre media converters from buildings - e.g.

building a                                                         building b
switch--media converter==========media converter--router--switch

Just as an FYI ff you choose media converters, don't use different brands - I have seen people do this and end up getting CRC errors across the switches.  

Each building is on it's own subnet.  I intend on keeping the existing IP schema - there are about 200 users in each building.  I'll try and get the switch info when I am onsite later today.

You could use the routers you already have, if they have Ethernet Interfaces.  You could get media converters to convert 100FX to 100TX like this one:  http://www.alliedtelesyn.com/products/details.aspx?71.

Or you could connect with any layer 3 switch which supports fiber, or go with the media converter option.

you dont HAVE to have a router.  you only need a router if you indend to route traffic between the buildings to break up the collision domians by having them on different subnets.  You could just have both buildings in one collision domain and have no routing at all between the buildings.  True it would be best to route, but ive seen networks with 5 buildings with fiber between them with 600+ clents and no routing between buildings at all that worked fine.  todays LANS shouldn't have many broadcasts at all so breaking up the collision domains between only 2 buildings isn't really neccessary.  

Interested.