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Wi-Fi is like love. Always in the air and ready to connect you with the fascinating digital world. But ever wondered what keeps it in the air? Well, just like any relationship has a foundation of understanding, a wireless network has a fiber cabling underneath that helps people connect with the internet anytime they want to. The other most popularly used cable type is the Ethernet cable. They are used everywhere, from IP camera technologies to LED lighting. These cables are quite cheap as compared to fiber cables, but when one wants to have a huge and powerful network cable, fiber cables become necessary.
Both cables have their advantages and disadvantages, specialties, and limitations. Through this blog, we will talk about Fiber optic cable vs. ethernet cable and try to understand both in detail:
History of Fiber & Ethernet Cables
Fiber Optic Cables: Fiber optic technology made its debut in 1969 when NASA employed it for television cameras during the moon landing. Since then, it has evolved into a reliable and high-speed data transmission method.
Ethernet Cables: Ethernet, developed by Xerox in 1970, gained popularity in the 1980s as an industry standard. Over the years, Ethernet has seen significant advancements in speed and reliability.
The debate of fiber vs. ethernet has its promoters. But let’s look at both to see which fits your needs the best.
Ethernet Cables – The Evolution
When introduced, Ethernet was extremely slow. It had a speed of around 10Mbps over 100 meters. After that, when it formed an alliance with 802 IEE and became an industry standard, the speeds reached up to 10MBPS. Currently, as you all know, it has the speed of 10 Gigabit. Some experts criticize the speed ratings of Ethernet for falling short of the real-world utility. Also, there isn’t a specific formula that you can apply for calculating the performance of Ethernet cables. It depends on factors like collisions and line interferences, which need applications for resending messages.
People widely use Ethernet cables, Long ethernet cables, and regular ethernet cables due to their cost-effective rates. So, the market for ethernet cables is always on the boom, and the electrical engineers keep conducting R&D and developing new cables at regular intervals. CAT5E, CAT6, CAT6A, and CAT7 are the most commonly used ethernet cables.
Fiber Optic Cables – The Evolution
There are two major categories of Fiber Optic Technology. One, single, and two, multi. Single-mode cables make use of laser light for sending signals to remote places. They can reach a distance 50 times more than multimode. However, they are more expensive as compared to the latter. Diodes, on the other hand, transmit signals over multimode cables. These cables usually cover short distances with up to 10 Gigabits/s over the distance of 600 m or 2000 feet.
The best and the most effective single fiber links have the potential to reach a capacity of 100gbs. So, when it comes to transmitting data over long distances, Fiber cables are the ultimate choice. The only concern here is its costs. And hence, manufacturers must offer an economical way to use them.
Now that we have learned about both the cables and their evolution let us understand some basic differences between them.
Understanding the Basic Difference between Optical Fiber Cables and Ethernet Cables
There is nothing like fiber cables when it comes to generating electricity over long distances. But, there are also certain drawbacks to it. Fiber cables do have brittle tendencies and tend to break. Also, they are more expensive as compared to Ethernet cables. Ethernet cables, on the other hand, are quite swift with their work, but they cannot go long distances. In case they are unshielded, they can attract a lot of interference.
Which one do you choose out of the two? Well, it depends on your requirements. You need fiber cables if you want to connect an ISP to a street cabinet. This is because they consist of glass, and it is possible to transmit a huge amount of data with fiber cabling. However, if you install a connection proximate to your residence, you can choose an ethernet cord.
Electromagnetic Interferences
Ever heard “Buzz” “Hummmmm” and “Crackle” sounds when you connect with your devices? Those are nothing but electromagnetic interferences. Now let us see how these interferences bother both cables. CAT5 Ethernet cables, when unshielded, create interference in several devices, including microwaves, Bluetooth, RF, and transformers. The best way to get over such interference issues is to choose shielded ethernet cables of higher grades, including CAT5E, 6, and 7. To obtain better results, you can also pair shielded cables and connectors.
Fortunately, electrical interference has not been much of a problem with fiber optic cables. However, there are times when light pulses interfere with each other and are not monochromatic. This is when interference seeps in. To help the cables get over such issues, manufacturers keep improving the quality of cables with every new release.
The Speed Difference
You would say nothing works as fast as my Wi-Fi connection does. So, it must be fiber. Well, you are kind of right. But terabytes per second aren’t a major issue when you want to send a signal from the living room to the kitchen.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
To better understand the differences between fiber optic and Ethernet cables, let's break down their advantages and disadvantages in a clear table:
| Aspect | Fiber Optic Cables | Ethernet Cables |
|---|---|---|
| Data Transmission Speed | Exceptional speed, capable of terabytes/second | Slower than fiber, typically Gigabit |
| Distance Capability | Ideal for long-distance transmissions | Suitable for short to medium distances |
| Immunity to Electromagnetic Interference | Resistant to EMI and RFI | Susceptible to EMI and RFI |
| Signal Security | Difficult to tap, highly secure | More susceptible to eavesdropping |
| Installation and Maintenance | Delicate and requires skilled installation | Robust and easy to install |
| Cost | Higher initial investment, lower operating costs | Lower upfront cost, higher operating costs |
FAQs:
- 1. Which cable is faster: fiber optic or Ethernet?
- Fiber optic cables are significantly faster capable of terabytes per second, while Ethernet cables typically offer lower speeds, often in the Gigabit range.
- 2. Are fiber optic cables more secure than Ethernet cables?
- Yes, fiber optic cables are more secure as they are challenging to tap into, making them less susceptible to eavesdropping than Ethernet cables.
- 3. What are the cost considerations when choosing between fiber optic and Ethernet cables?
- Fiber optic cables require a higher initial investment but offer lower operating costs in the long run. Ethernet cables have a lower upfront cost but may have higher ongoing operating expenses.
- 4. Which cable is suitable for long-distance transmissions?
- Fiber optic cables are ideal for long-distance transmissions, capable of covering vast distances with minimal signal loss, whereas Ethernet cables are best suited for short to medium distances.
In conclusion, choosing between fiber optic and Ethernet cables depends on your specific requirements. Fiber optic cables excel in high-speed, long-distance applications with enhanced security but come with a higher initial cost. Ethernet cables are cost-effective for shorter distances but may lack the speed and security offered by fiber optics. Understanding these differences is crucial for building a reliable and efficient network infrastructure. If you have any further questions or need assistance with your cable selection, feel free to contact us at sales@sfcable.com