Pre-Terminated Fibre Cable

[Moltuae]

Has anyone here had any experience using pre-terminated fibre such as this?:
https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/custom-fibre-pre-terms/13027-pre-terminated-fibre-cable.html

I usually get a fibre guy in to run and terminate any fibre links, especially if they're long, complicated runs, but I've got a requirement for a fairly straightforward link between two UniFi switches (<100m) that I'm considering ordering a pre-made cable for.

The switches are both 'UniFi Switch 48' units, with 2 x 10Gbps SFP+ ports on each. So my plan is to use 4 of these SFP transceiver modules and a pair of pre-terminated (LC) cables, to create a 20Gbps (2 x 10Gbps) uplink between the switches.

Are there any flaws in my plan?

 

[mikeroq]

I'm not versed in this but make sure the cable is OM3 and one cable can have multiple fibers so you would only have 1 bundle with 4 fibers and 2 LC duplex connectors on each end.

 

[Moltuae]

Thanks. Now that you mention it, I vaguely remember the fibre guy mentioning something about OM3 on a previous fibre installation. And, IIRC, he preferred single-mode fibre to multi-mode fibre too.

 

[mikeroq]

OM3 is multi mode fiber. That is the type specified by your transceiver.

Also multi mode for under 550m single mode after that

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 9 while driv ik gndjfhd

 

[seedubya]

Has anyone here had any experience using pre-terminated fibre such as this?:
https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/custom-fibre-pre-terms/13027-pre-terminated-fibre-cable.html

I usually get a fibre guy in to run and terminate any fibre links, especially if they're long, complicated runs, but I've got a requirement for a fairly straightforward link between two UniFi switches (<100m) that I'm considering ordering a pre-made cable for.

The switches are both 'UniFi Switch 48' units, with 2 x 10Gbps SFP+ ports on each. So my plan is to use 4 of these SFP transceiver modules and a pair of pre-terminated (LC) cables, to create a 20Gbps (2 x 10Gbps) uplink between the switches.

Are there any flaws in my plan?

Used it loads of times with no issues. I order from CableMonkey also. Like everyone else said, use OM3.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using pre-terminated fiber cabling. In fact, you'll end up with a fiber run that has excellent signal levels and no worries of poor terminations.

Multi-Mode fiber is still widely used and would be the best option for a run of fewer than 100 meters. I only use OM3 or OM4 these days as OM1 or OM2 are outdated.

 

[Moltuae]

Used it loads of times with no issues. I order from CableMonkey also. Like everyone else said, use OM3.

Thanks.

I've just found that Comms Express are substantially cheaper than Cable Monkey, especially for the armoured stuff. Have you ever used Comms Express?

Comparing like-for-like ...

https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/custom-fibre-pre-terms/13027-pre-terminated-fibre-cable.html
https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/custom-fibre-pre-terms/13073-armoured-pre-terminated-fibre-cable.html
https://www.comms-express.com/products/custom-made-multicore-preterminated-fibre-cable/

100m pre-terminated OM4 4-core fibre (LC connectors both ends), non-armoured:
CM Price: £243
CE Price: £180

100m pre-terminated OM4 4-core fibre (LC connectors both ends), armoured:
CM Price: £387
CE Price: £228.40

And would armoured be the safest bet, considering some of the run will be outdoors (albeit out of reach)?

 

[seedubya]

No, haven't. Wow that's a massive difference!

 

[uprighttech]

You might also check out fs.com. They have great prices on fiber cable and transceivers.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

You wouldn't need armored cable unless it was installed where it could get damaged. You also want to have more fibers than you need so there are spares.

I'd go with the OM3 8-core cable non-armored.

 

[Sky-Knight]

I've used these guys: https://www.lanshack.com/Default.aspx

500ft of 4 strand plenum OM3 armored cable for $1,264.30 that includes two pull eyes? It's rather hard to argue. But UK... so not sure how that comes out in the wash.