After initially thinking I wanted a fibre optic network link, I’d mostly settled on using a copper Cat 5E Ethernet link between the House and the Outbuildings, to connect their separate computer networks together. The reasons for favouring a copper Ethernet link were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, I have just installed 85m of outdoor grade 8-core bulk fibre cable, because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m still planning to use the copper Cat 5E initially, so I won’t pay to have the fibre spliced to pre-terminated ‘pigtails’ until I see how that performs (or doesn’t). If the Cat 5E works OK I’ll wait until I upgrade the Routers to light up the fibre link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I selected Single Mode (OS2) fibre, with an outdoor-grade PE sheath (since about 25m of the run is in an underground duct between the buildings) and 8-core because it was only fractionally more expensive than 4-core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Initially I found the many variants of fibre types and connectors quite confusing but this forum post<\/a> by an amateur astronomer, in relation to network-connecting an observatory. proved very helpful in cutting through the jargon and homing in on the right solution – although they advocate using pre-terminated fibre which can be difficult to install when there’s not much space available in an existing duct.<\/p>\n\n\n After initially thinking I wanted a fibre optic network link, I’d mostly settled on using a copper Cat 5E Ethernet link between the House and the Outbuildings, to connect their separate computer networks together. The reasons for favouring a copper … Continue reading