3 ms·

Optical cables are not robust enough for the use as everyday cable.

baybal2 6y ago
Today's singlemode is quite abuseproof. Saying this, while having one cable in the office which was ridden over by carts, stepped, and stumbled on for years. I can't imagine UTP5/6, or especially 7 surviving this. I'd say a purpose made, abuse proof optical cable is better than high frequency copper cabling.
- avian 6y ago
  How abuse-proof are the optical connectors on those? Can you carry devices and cables in dusty bags all day and not worry about getting dirt in the optical path?
  - baybal2 6y ago
    Yes, I think connectors are now the weakest part of an optical cable. Singlemode's biggest weakness is alignment, optics, and a big change for a single dust particle to do a double digit decibel drop. Either terminations will have to be done with some abuse proofing ferrule with a built-in lens, or every optical cable have to be active, with a transmitter glued to it. The later in comparison to first, solves the issue in its entirety, and is not that much of a crazy proposition today. Even the most fancy laser chips like EAM, and MZI modulated ones, can be made for cents if the competition will made vendors to drop prices.
    - NovemberWhiskey 6y ago
      >The later in comparison to first, solves the issue in its entirety, and is not that much of a crazy proposition today. Right - you can buy these right now: https://www.corning.com/optical-cables-by-corning/worldwide/en/products/thunderbolt-optical-cables.html https://www.corning.com/optical-cables-by-corning/worldwide/...
      - hurrrrrrrr 6y ago
        And how much more do they cost in comparison with hooking a few copper wires to a simple copper plug manufactured in china?
        baybal2 6y ago
        $30-$40 wholesale in China, but... 1. Single mode fibre already costs less than high high frequency cabling. 2. A standard written from scratch can move all smart electronics, and even some passives from the transceiver into the device. 3. The moment a transceiver turns into a standardised single chip device, economies of scale turn enormous. 4. Optics can be simplified for direct attach devices. 5. Cheapest transceivers sets + cabling for single mode 10G ethernet already cost less than $10 wholesale.

Today's singlemode is quite abuseproof. Saying this, while having one cable in the office which was ridden over by carts, stepped, and stumbled on for years. I can't imagine UTP5/6, or especially 7 surviving this. I'd say a purpose made, abuse proof optical cable is better than high frequency copper cabling.

avian 6y ago
How abuse-proof are the optical connectors on those? Can you carry devices and cables in dusty bags all day and not worry about getting dirt in the optical path?
- baybal2 6y ago
  Yes, I think connectors are now the weakest part of an optical cable. Singlemode's biggest weakness is alignment, optics, and a big change for a single dust particle to do a double digit decibel drop. Either terminations will have to be done with some abuse proofing ferrule with a built-in lens, or every optical cable have to be active, with a transmitter glued to it. The later in comparison to first, solves the issue in its entirety, and is not that much of a crazy proposition today. Even the most fancy laser chips like EAM, and MZI modulated ones, can be made for cents if the competition will made vendors to drop prices.
  - NovemberWhiskey 6y ago
    >The later in comparison to first, solves the issue in its entirety, and is not that much of a crazy proposition today. Right - you can buy these right now: https://www.corning.com/optical-cables-by-corning/worldwide/en/products/thunderbolt-optical-cables.html https://www.corning.com/optical-cables-by-corning/worldwide/...
    - hurrrrrrrr 6y ago
      And how much more do they cost in comparison with hooking a few copper wires to a simple copper plug manufactured in china?
      - baybal2 6y ago
        $30-$40 wholesale in China, but... 1. Single mode fibre already costs less than high high frequency cabling. 2. A standard written from scratch can move all smart electronics, and even some passives from the transceiver into the device. 3. The moment a transceiver turns into a standardised single chip device, economies of scale turn enormous. 4. Optics can be simplified for direct attach devices. 5. Cheapest transceivers sets + cabling for single mode 10G ethernet already cost less than $10 wholesale.