hoggiee
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Cascading switches with SFP or RJ45?
My question is simple. What is the difference between cascading network switches (e.g. 2 unit Gigabit switches) with a SFP (fiber optic) and with a normal RJ45? Any difference in the speed/bandwidth? or just the max distance supported by these 2 types of cables? Please advise. Thanks.
Metehan Ozcullu
no difference. Max difference is the difference and also on vertical cabling (e.g. buildings) fiber is recommended to eliminate problems from electromagnetic waves.
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mozcullu:
no difference. Max distance is the difference and also on vertical cabling (e.g. buildings) fiber is recommended to eliminate problems from electromagnetic waves.
mozcullu:
no difference. Max distance is the difference and also on vertical cabling (e.g. buildings) fiber is recommended to eliminate problems from electromagnetic waves.
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Rj45 is the connection type, not the cable. Im not saying that to be picky because the cable type CAT5 or CAT5e or CAT6 UTP or STP cable has many different supported transfer rates. The same with Fibre which is cabable of 1GIG , 10GIG etc etc. In general copper will top out before fibre, you may not see any difference in speeds if you arent running it that fast - but fibre is capable of a lot more.
In terms of the physicals fibre is thinner, can tolerate longer distances and is less prone to interference that STP (shielded) and a LOT less prone that UTP (un shielded)
With the gigabit speeds you mention above, there isnt really much in it apart from distances, use a good quality UTP/STP cable and you will be looking at the same performance as the SFP/FIBRE cable.
The only other criteria is that the modules that the fibre plugs into in most cisco switches at least is capable of higher speeds than the normal FE/copper ports.
In terms of the physicals fibre is thinner, can tolerate longer distances and is less prone to interference that STP (shielded) and a LOT less prone that UTP (un shielded)
With the gigabit speeds you mention above, there isnt really much in it apart from distances, use a good quality UTP/STP cable and you will be looking at the same performance as the SFP/FIBRE cable.
The only other criteria is that the modules that the fibre plugs into in most cisco switches at least is capable of higher speeds than the normal FE/copper ports.
Any reason you copied my post entirely ?
Fiber can't carry or be induced with current, so it can run between disconnected buildings without the hazards of copper cable. Also, it's not easy to put a tap on a fiber line...tapping 10/100BASE-T is within the realm of a novice with off-the-shelf hardware.