Types of Media Converters

Media Converters are necessary when mixed media must be employed. For example, many older companies and companies with fixed or low budgets transmit signals through copper wire. Although copper wiring is satisfactory, fiber cables transmit signals further without crosstalk or other external interference. However, if changing the entire system to all-fiber is not an option due to the high cost of the project, media converters are installed.

What are Media Converters?
Media converters are devices that receive data signals from one media, and convert and transmit them to another media. For example, many older systems transmitted signals through copper cables. Instead, of replacing your entire network with modern fiber, many people use media converters to convert signals transmitted on a copper cable to signals that run on fiber.

Types of Media Converters.
There are many different types of media converters. Here is a simplified list of some media converter options to help you decide which media converter can help you and your business step into the future of communication technology.

Miniature Media Converters—Like the name suggests, these small devices are state-of-the-art converters. They are the most versatile fiber media converters available on the market today. Two examples of miniature media converters to purchase are the MiniMc-Gigabit and the MiniMc 10/100.

Multi-Port Media Converters—This type of media converter is perfect for residential networking applications. And, it will actual lower your costs up to 66- percent! The difference between a multi-port converter and your typical media converters is this: Typical converters feature only one conversion between twisted pair and fiber optic. A multi-port converter provides speed and media conversion for PCs and printers. Look for the Access Converter /3.

Stand-Alone Media Converters—These types of media converters are perfect for all kinds of conversations inside or outside the Ethernet, or LAN. The McBasic series of copper-to-fiber media converters are the best in the industry.

PC Card Media Converters—Use this type of media converter for fiber-to-desktop (FTTD) applications. Or, if your company has rapidly changing needs, such as the constant adding and misusing of new employees and revolving workstations, PC card media converters are ideal. The great thing about these kinds of media converters is that they are installed inside your PC.

Power Over Ethernet Media Converters—All power over Ethernet media converters support IEEE 803.3 standards and perform a fiber-to-unshielded twisted pair (UTP) conversion. These are great media converters for outside environments. The PSE-XT McBasic, in particular, can operate in very hot conditions.

Modular Media Converters—These types of media converters offer businesses a cost-effective way to extend the life of their wiring infrastructure. The brand, MediaConverter is a strong name in the industry offering the most dependable conversion platforms in the business.

When it comes to media converters know which kind will fit your business needs before you buy. Save a good amount of money while upgrading and expanding your computer equipment with premium media converters.

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