llations. Many single mode applications are now only available in the SC style. The ST connector (Figure B) has been the connector of choice for these environments, and continues to be widely used. FDDI uses the MIC connector which is a duplex connector. It is physically larger then the SC connector, and the SC connector is gaining acceptance in the FDDI marketplace.Fiber Advantages Fiber provides several advantages to Ethernet and Fast Ethernet networks. The most common advantage and therefore use of fiber is to overcome the distance limitations of coaxial and twisted pair copper topologies. Ethernet being run on coax (10Base2) has a maximum distance limitation of 185m, and Ethernet being run on twisted pair (10BaseT and 100BaseTX) has a limitation of 100m. Fiber can greatly extend these distances with multi-mode fiber providing 2000m and single-mode fiber supporting 5km in half duplex environments, and much more (depending on transmitter strength and receiver sensitivity) in full duplex installations. Ethernet running at 10Mbps has a limitation of 4 repeaters, providing some leniency in the solutions available for distance, however, Fast Ethernet only allows for 2 repeaters and only 5m of cable between them. As Fast Ethernet becomes more ubiquitous, the need for fiber optic cabling will grow as well. When distance is an issue, fiber provides what may be the only solution. Even when using coaxial cable or twisted pair (shielded or unshielded), some electrical noise may be emitted by the cable. This is especially true as connectors and ground connections age or weaken. In some environments (medical for example), the potential risk associated with this is just not acceptable, and costs of alternative cable routings too high. Because fiber optic cabling uses light pulses to send the signal, there is NO radiated noise. This makes it perfectly safe to install this cabling in any sensitive environment. Optical fiber adds addit...
