Last Updated on July 26, 2026
In the world of networking, speed is everything and the faster you can get your data the better. And we all realize that when we have a slow Internet connection. Of course things like reliability are also important but if your network is crawling then it won’t make much difference if you can’t do your work or access your files because things are too slow.
Networking cabling makes a big difference when it comes to performance since it’s the medium that carries the data over the network. Of course this is not the case with wireless traffic but even with that there is usually some physical cabling involved with some part of the hardware involved in the connection. And not all network cables are created the same and some outperform others by a long shot.
In this article we will be discussing a certain type of network cable that is becoming more and more common even though it has been around for many years. This type of cabling is called fiber optic cable and has gained in popularity thanks to the need for faster performance, increased bandwidth and longer distances that data needs to travel.
Let’s begin our discussion by describing what fiber optic cable is and how it works. Then we will go over the most common types in use today and compare it to the most current type of network cable which is Ethernet cabling.
How Fiber Optic Cables Work
1. Transmitting Light Instead of Electricity
Fiber optic cables use glass or plastic tubes in the center of the cable to transmit data via a beam of light from a laser rather than copper wires used in other types of cabling such as Ethernet. This part of the cable is referred to as the core. Then there is a glass cladding around the core that prevents light from escaping the inner core. Then there is a plastic buffer around the cladding and finally an outer jacket around the buffer.
2. Immunity to Interference
Because fiber optic cables use light rather than an electrical signal they are not affected by RFI (radio frequency interference) or EMI (electro-magnetic interference). This makes them ideal for running through manufacturing facilities or elevator shafts where heavy machinery operates.
3. Extended Distance Capabilities
Using this method also allows for the use of longer cable runs because the signal does not have to be repeated or regenerated to keep its signal strength. Fiber optic cable does have distance limitations though which varies depending on the type and speed. For example 100Mbps cabling has a limit of 2 kilometers which is 1.2 miles or 6561 feet while 10Gbps cabling has a limit of only 300 meters or around 1000 feet depending on the specifications of the cable.
4. Handling and Installation Care
One important thing to keep in mind when comparing fiber optic cables to Ethernet cables is how you handle them. Making a fiber optic cable is a delicate process and you can’t just twist and bend them as you please when running them through your ceiling or wall because once you break the glass core you are looking at replacing the entire cable. Ethernet cables have a little more give in how you can handle them since they use copper wires which can take more abuse.
Single Mode vs. Multimode Cabling
There are two main fiber optic cable types in use today and they are single mode and multimode. They differ in how they are made as well as the speed they can transmit data at and the distance it can send that data.
1. Single Mode Specifications
Single mode cables feature a much smaller 9 micron core and a 125 micron cladding. This tiny core only allows one mode of light to traverse through the cable which lowers attenuation which allows the signal to travel significantly further. It is used exclusively for longer distance cable runs such as over a WAN (Wide Area Network).
2. Single Mode Costs
Single mode fiber offers a much higher theoretical bandwidth than multimode cabling. However, it requires a much more expensive transceiver cost to generate the highly focused laser beam. The physical cable installation costs are generally cheaper.
3. Multimode Specifications
Multimode cables feature a larger 50 or 62.5 micron core and a 125 micron cladding. This wider core allows multiple modes of light to traverse through the cable allowing more data to pass through at a given time. It is typically used within the datacenter for local LAN connections.
4. Multimode Limitations and Costs
Multimode provides extremely high bandwidth and speed over short to medium distances. The main drawback is that the signal quality is drastically reduced over long distances due to light dispersion. It offers a much cheaper transceiver cost but generally has more expensive installation costs.
5. Reviewing the Distance Chart
Here is a single mode and multimode speed and distance chart so you can see how each type varies in performance. There are many versions of multimode cables labeled by OM which refers to its optical multi-mode rating.
Common Fiber Optic Connectors
As for the cable connectors there are 3 main types that are in use today. Sure there are others but these 3 are the absolute most common connectors you will see in a server room.
1. ST Connectors
ST stands for Straight Tip. It uses a keyed bayonet design that is very similar to that of a BNC connector. It is used mainly for older MMF and SMF fiber optic cables. It uses a standard 2.5 mm ferrule.
2. LC Connectors
LC stands for Lucent Connector. It comes in three distinct types: single mode LC APC, single mode LC UPC, and multimode LC UPC. It comes with a small plastic locking tab to keep it secure in the port. It also uses a much smaller 1.25 mm ferrule.
3. SC Connectors
SC stands for Standard Connector. It is a low cost cable that also comes with a locking tab to keep it secure. It uses the larger 2.5 mm ferrule and is commonly used for telecommunications.
As you can see, fiber channel is a fast and reliable cable medium but there are a lot of factors you need to take into account before deciding if it’s right for your network. With today’s increased Ethernet speeds being applied to copper cables such as Category 6 and 7 cables, you have more options when it comes to deciding if you want to go the fiber optic route or stick with copper.
You also have to consider your budget since fiber optic cabling will be more expensive to install and maintain, especially if your IT staff is not familiar with how to take care of it and replace things when they fail. Plus you need to make sure your network devices such as your switches can accept fiber optic connections and have the right type to match the cable type you want to use.
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