Media Converter Confusion!

[PRicho]

We had fiber installed between our main building to a portacabin some time ago and the chaps that installed it used a media converter at both ends Fiber > Ethernet into switch/device. All working fine. However we now have capacity to plug the fiber run directly into a switch in the main building but this doesn't work? am sure you don't need a converter at both ends? We have installed a fiber run in the same way before with just 1 converter on the end and it was fine, simple fiber to ethernet.

Are some different to others in the way they work?

[IrritableTech]

I hate media converters. We have had loads of trouble with them. Pretty much got rid of most of them now.

They seem to only work reliably in matching pairs. Some will work with others, but others wont. Horrible pieces of kit.

Sorry, that’s not very helpful is it.

[K.C.Leblanc]

I've had similar issues. I don't think gigabit fibre can step down to 100mb in the same way copper does.

[Stuart_C]

Been there, had that problem, had to buy decent switches at both ends!

I've currently got some media converters plugged into switches with spare GBIC slots that I'd love replace with fibre modules (should reduce power consumption and the number of sockets used, plus they only run at 100Mb). The problem is that I've got 1 computer on the other end of each link and can't justify the cost of a switch and GBIC module at the other end! Can I get a media converter to work with the GBIC can I heck. Part of the problem might be that I my current converters don't work with anything other than themselves (some Planet/LineOne ) and I don't want to keep buying random convertes to see what works...

In short - hate the smegging things and as soon as I can get rid off them I will!

[Stuart_C]

I've had similar issues. I don't think gigabit fibre can step down to 100mb in the same way copper does.

Can do if you've got rubbish media converters...

[garethedmondson]

We generally use Dlink switches and then put GBic modules in each end. We were always advised to use the same module on both ends - but not necessarily the same switch. Here's a link to a similar model (although I cannot remember the product number)

Business Product

GJE

[PRicho]

Boo, Am sure we have a Allied Telson Media Converter on 1 end of a fiber cable that simply converts to 100mb ethernet. Why isnt it that simple!

The Problematic ones are 'LevelOne' Converters, presume they rely on one each end to work. Poor!

[john]

Ive never had any AT Media Converters go from Media Converter to switch and I had about 50 Media Converters in use at a place I worked and we did try many times!

[User3204]

I've just replaced a load of Allied Telesyn 100mbit media converters, they all happily worked at 100mbit even when plugged into a switch that did 1gbit, although all the switches were capable of doing 100mbit.

We even had some Planet / Edimax media converters connected on some of the older remote cabs (although I thought I'd replaced them). The only reason I swapped them out, was because I got some money to invest so went for gigabit links.


The best thing to do with them is:
1. Pair brands together, AT connects to AT, Planet connects to Planet.
2. Buy the good ones not the cheap ones OR Replace the cheap ones on an annual basis.

[plexer]

I have a media converter one end of the fibre link to my san and hp gbic on the other. Manually set the speed.