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Connecting buildings with fiber
Posted on 1/23/24 at 9:33 pm
Posted on 1/23/24 at 9:33 pm
This will probably be a long post so bear with me. Our ISP wanted an obscene amount of money to run service to our house. So instead, we had them put the service in a outbuilding at the bottom of our hill. We currently have power in the outbuilding along with Spectrum's modem/router. Right now we are getting it up the hill with a Ubiquiti point to point and distributing it to other buildings via point to points using an PoE switch. It works ok but we just can't get the speeds we are paying for and along with other reasons (lightning, multiple failure points), I want to try another future proof solution....
My idea is to run fiber through conduit 800 ft from the outbuilding (building A) to building B. From there I want to run fiber from building B to building C, and again from building B to building D. I understand this is a fairly large undertaking and will be more expensive than what the average person wants to spend on getting internet to their house...and I'm ok with that. What I need help with is what networking materials do I actually need? I'm trying to understand multi mode vs single mode, LC vs SC connecters, and so on. Is there a way to explain this in simple terms so I can buy what I need and know it will work?
My idea is to run fiber through conduit 800 ft from the outbuilding (building A) to building B. From there I want to run fiber from building B to building C, and again from building B to building D. I understand this is a fairly large undertaking and will be more expensive than what the average person wants to spend on getting internet to their house...and I'm ok with that. What I need help with is what networking materials do I actually need? I'm trying to understand multi mode vs single mode, LC vs SC connecters, and so on. Is there a way to explain this in simple terms so I can buy what I need and know it will work?
3
Posted on 1/24/24 at 7:11 am to dlmast87
Yeah single mode is for longhaul, so multimide is what you'd want. LC is what most use in my experiences these days. Will need media converter to go from fiber to copper if thats what you will be connecting to. There's some sites online where you can buy fiber already terminated and for custom lenghts, and can include it to have a pull-eyelet if needed.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 8:11 am to dlmast87
Cheap way is just use a couple of media converters. LC to RJ45.
Or get some Unifi switches and the correct GBICs.
Or get some Unifi switches and the correct GBICs.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 8:19 am to ColdDuck
I concur with both of the above posters.
I worked in a utility grade fiber business for a few years. Multimode fiber will run as far as you'll need. Unless you are going miles.
The connector choice will based upon your equipment. Its probably cheaper to get a media converter, then have your local switching done on Rj45.
I worked in a utility grade fiber business for a few years. Multimode fiber will run as far as you'll need. Unless you are going miles.
The connector choice will based upon your equipment. Its probably cheaper to get a media converter, then have your local switching done on Rj45.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 8:22 am to BabySam
If you want to future proof, install single-mode. It can carry faster speeds. Duplex LC Single mode is what I’d install.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 8:38 am to lsu02150
quote:
If you want to future proof, install single-mode. It can carry faster speeds. Duplex LC Single mode is what I’d install.
True, but multimode can do 100GB at over 1000'. If OP has longer distances, than he may need a whole other solution.
Also, MM electronics are cheaper than SM.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 9:59 am to SaintEB
How far do you need to go? There are plenty of options but I'd get single mode fiber as price isn't much different. Do the job once and do it right.
I'll be glad to design it for you and recommend the equipment.
I'll be glad to design it for you and recommend the equipment.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:23 am to broadhead
Thanks for comments...much appreciated. I'm thinking I'll need 6 media converters and 3 separate lines of fiber as well as an ethernet switch. The long line would be 800 ft in conduit, and the other two lines would be around 300-400 ft....probably in conduit but might direct bury. If you or someone would be willing to design and recommend equipment, that would be great.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:26 am to broadhead
quote:
I'd get single mode fiber as price isn't much different.
As already mentioned, Single mode fiber may be similar price (or even cheaper) than mullti-mode fiber but the devices that will use MM will typically be cheaper (and sometimes significantly cheaper) than SM devices.
To the OP, figure out your longest run including slack in the fiber at both ends. Then find what devices you want to use on the ends of the fiber. This could be converters which would allow you to use regular ethernet port routers and switches (easily available and replaced at any time) or you could splurge for high end routers/switches with SFP ports. Make sure the equipment you pick can cover the distances required. Then buy the fiber cable that meets the requirements of those devices.
I think this is the best process to get the most affordable solution that works for you. Otherwise, you may end up with something that works but is overkill and costs more than necessary to get the job done.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:38 am to notsince98
quote:
As already mentioned, Single mode fiber may be similar price (or even cheaper) than mullti-mode fiber but the devices that will use MM will typically be cheaper (and sometimes significantly cheaper) than SM devices.
have you actually priced and deployed anything lately? Most any device with an SFP port will support Single mode.
Here is a 10 pack of SFP's for less than a 100 bucks. LINK
Posted on 1/24/24 at 11:05 am to broadhead
quote:
have you actually priced and deployed anything lately?
Not for residential.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 12:02 pm to broadhead
quote:
have you actually priced and deployed anything lately? Most any device with an SFP port will support Single mode.
Yeah the cost of single mode fiber and modules has dropped significantly in the last few years. Multimode is really only installed new now for rack to rack runs which are too long for DAC cables or for electrical isolation.
OP - If any existing switches have SFP ports, those can be used in place of media converters. All that matters is that the SFP modules on either end of any 1 fiber match. You can have a module at 1 end plugged in to a SFP port in a media converter and at the other end a module plugged in to a SFP port in a switch. So if you already have a switch at building B which has 4 or more SFP ports, you won't need any media converters there.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 12:11 pm to lsu02150
quote:
OP - If any existing switches have SFP ports, those can be used in place of media converters. All that matters is that the SFP modules on either end of any 1 fiber match. You can have a module at 1 end plugged in to a SFP port in a media converter and at the other end a module plugged in to a SFP port in a switch. So if you already have a switch at building B which has 4 or more SFP ports, you won't need any media converters there.
I don't have any existing switches with those ports. Right now everything is Cat6. I'm expecting to get all new equipment with the exception of the current router/modem from the ISP and mesh networks at each location.
Also, is pulling 800 ft of cable going to be more difficult than I think? I don't want to underestimate this.
This post was edited on 1/24/24 at 12:37 pm
Posted on 1/24/24 at 12:36 pm to dlmast87
And a thought to add, and get concurrence from other posters, if you decide to go with 4 strand may want to so 6-8 strand depending on pricing so its already there and run once...in case of expansion or damage
Posted on 1/24/24 at 12:57 pm to BabySam
quote:
And a thought to add, and get concurrence from other posters, if you decide to go with 4 strand may want to so 6-8 strand depending on pricing so its already there and run once...in case of expansion or damage
Unless there is a huge price jump somewhere in the count of strands, do at least 12 if not 24 strand and get some patch panels. Running it in conduit makes this less of an issue but if anything gets direct buried, have as many spare and unused fibers as you can.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 1:19 pm to notsince98
quote:
Unless there is a huge price jump somewhere in the count of strands, do at least 12 if not 24 strand and get some patch panels. Running it in conduit makes this less of an issue but if anything gets direct buried, have as many spare and unused fibers as you can.
Just so I understand correctly. Having multiple pairs is mainly just a back up option? If I run a 12 strand I'd only be using 1 pair and I can leave the others unused?
Posted on 1/24/24 at 1:39 pm to dlmast87
quote:
Just so I understand correctly. Having multiple pairs is mainly just a back up option? If I run a 12 strand I'd only be using 1 pair and I can leave the others unused?
Correct. As you can imagine, glass is a bit brittle and can break for a myriad of reasons. Just connecting up to a pre-terminated unused fiber is way easier than running a new cable and the extra fibers usually add a minutia of cost.
EDIT, if you have to use pre-terminated cables and cannot terminate fibers yourself, this may end up being more pricey than it is worth. I have not done a price comparison of pre-made/terminated cables and bulk cable, terminations and patch panels.
This post was edited on 1/24/24 at 1:41 pm
Posted on 1/24/24 at 1:45 pm to dlmast87
quote:
Just so I understand correctly. Having multiple pairs is mainly just a back up option? If I run a 12 strand I'd only be using 1 pair and I can leave the others unused?
You're going to increase the costs of this substantially if you go that route and you'll need to hire someone to terminate the fiber. Order the premade cables I posted.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 1:47 pm to dlmast87
quote:
Also, is pulling 800 ft of cable going to be more difficult than I think? I don't want to underestimate this.
Yes, it will be difficult but do able. You'll need a trencher from home depot or a rental company.
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