How to Convert a Fiber Optic Cable to CAT5

By Harvey Birdman

Fiber optic cables look like other cables on the telephone poles but are far more advanced.
i Fiber cable hanging loose on pole image by Pezography from Fotolia.com

Fiber optic cable, as of 2011, is the fastest type of cabling on the market; it uses light to transmit data. The mirroring of the inside of the fiber optic cable allows the light to bounce for miles without loss. CAT 5 Ethernet cable on the other hand is a big telephone cable essentially and relies on electrical current to carry the data. Fiber optic cables are used by some networks for the server to building connection, while Ethernet cable is used for the wiring within the building. To convert these two type of cable you need a fiber optic modem.

Place the fiber optic modem next to a fiber optic wall socket. Plug the Ethernet cable into the rear of the fiber optic modem; there will only be one CAT 5 cable hookup in the rear if it. If your service provider gave you a fiber optic modem/router combination, then there will be four CAT 5 Ethernet connections; you can plug your CAT 5 Ethernet cable into any of the ports. Make sure that the CAT 5 Ethernet cable is also plugged into whatever device that you want to hookup to the fiber optic network.

Connect the fiber optic line from the wall to the fiber optic modem. The fiber optic line will have either a circular plug or a rectangular plug. Either way it will match up with the shape of the fiber optic port. Plug the fiber optic cable into the port by hand after taking off the rubber cap from the end of the fiber optic cable. Because fiber optic cable depends on light to transmit data, the face of the plug must be shielded from dust least it interfere with the laser beam.

Plug the power cord into the rear of the fiber optic modem and into a surge protector. Always use a surge protector with sensitive computer peripherals. Make sure that your Ethernet devices are turned on and then press the power button on the rear of the fiber optic modem.

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