The future of IT lies in the speed and security that fiber optics provide. With unmatched bandwidth and minimal intrusiveness, this technology is a must have for state of the art facilities and those transferring large workflows of data. Since 2000, the cost of fiber optic technology has been on a steady decline and in many cases can now be substantially more cost effective that using traditional copper methods. That being said, installation practices are much more technical and precise with fiber optics than they are with copper.
Fiber optic technology uses a light source to transfer binary data extremely quickly. This light gets injected into one end of the fiber and then reflects internally until it exits at the other end. The low attenuation rate associated with fiber optics allows data to travel for miles without any sort of amplification. With the ability to transfer more data on a single cable, the IT infrastructure costs can be substantially reduced in large scale applications.
Many enterprises rely on fiber optics for its excellent security properties, as traditional copper cabling both emits, and is affected by, electromagnetic interference. EMI can be used to essentially “listen in” on data being transferred through a cable without actually having to splice into it physically. This problem is eliminated by using fiber optics, since the light travelling through them doesn’t emit any EMI. Intruders actually have to break into the cable in order to steal the data flowing through it.
Another problem relating to EMI with copper cabling is the interference and distortion of the data itself. Copper cables must stay clear of any sources of electricity which may be emitting EMI in order to insure the integrity of its signal. Since optical cables can travel in and around electricity, they are the perfect solution for many industrial applications that deal with large amounts of power.
Fiber optics can solve many logistical problems since a single fiber optic can replace dozens of copper cables. A large reduction in the size and weight of the cable required means the relative costs associated with these properties are affected as well. A good example of this is aircraft manufacturing. The more weight in a plane, the more fuel it’s going to burn. Using fiber optics instead of copper can reduce the weight of cable substantially, not to mention the amount of space it takes up.
The technology of optical fiber has given us the ability to communicate much more effectively, and now that the relative costs have drastically decreased fiber optic networking is becoming much more mainstream. It is not uncommon for people to now have fiber optic cables in their homes, as telecom companies are cashing in on the many cost benefits.
Though there are many proven benefits to this technology, most businesses don’t yet completely rely on fiber optics, but instead use an integration of both fiber and copper. This allows them to exploit the benefits of both technologies while ensuring top notch IT deployment and security. At Datamax, we have the experience to take your telecommunications to the next level with fiber optics, ensuring that your network is fast, secure, and reliable.
