Fibre Channel Media Types
Optical Cables
Speed Distance Cost
Electrical Cables
Speed
Cost
Distance
This example relates to FC,
but the same points apply to Ethernet Media
Optical cables provide:
High speed
Long distances
Higher cost
Electrical cables provide:
High speed
Short distances
Lower cost
The clock rate determines the speed. Always a constant regardless of
whether it is electrical or optical cable. What does vary is the distance that we
can run the cable over. If we run over an electrical cable the distance is going
to be much less. If we use an optical cable it will depend on the grade and the
type of cable. The further we want to drive the signal the more it will cost.