Grid's fiber optics hardware notes

Grid's fiber optics hardware notes

Introduction

This is a small note I'm making to tell about my experience with media converters, fiber optic cables, etc.

Things you'll see here are quite affordable as I won't be able to test them otherwise; some of these details are applicable for home use. Some of these details aren't applicable whatsoever.

Disclaimer

In no way do I claim competency in telecommunications, or anything else, for that matter. In fact, the tests I'm doing are (proudly) conducted on the armrest of a couch in a flat I'm renting.

Take the information I'm providing with a grain of salt; a can of paprika works as good as a grain of salt, if not more. What I'm trying to say is “don't rely on this information for your final decisions; I'm doing my best to check the information, but would prefer to have the lack of responsibility”. Thank you.

You're welcome to add information, but please add it in a separate category here so I can check it from the couch.

Devices

Media converters

Power inputs in HTB-GS-03B and HTB-GS-20B are compatible: 5V DC barrel jack with anode (+) inside and cathode (-) outside (feels like a breath of fresh air).

Link	Speed, Mbit/s	Cable connector	Fibers	Store	Vendor	Distance, km	Power input	Power connector	Tested
HTB-GS-03	1000	SC	1	Ciin	Anonymous	3	5V	DC barrel jack	✅
🔗	100	SC	1	Ciin	Anonymous	25	5V	DC barrel jack	❌
HTB-GS-20	100 when tested on 10m cable	SC	1	SevenLayer	netLINK	20	5V	DC barrel jack	✅
🔗	N/A, expected to have 1000	SC	1	SevenLayer	netLINK	3	5V	DC barrel jack	❌
(EW-310GS-20?)	10/100/1000	SC	2	Ewind		up to 20km	5V	DC barrel jack	❌
10G SFP+ Media Converter	1.25G - 10G	depends on SFP module	depends on SFP module	Xicom		N/A	5-12V	DC barrel jack	❌
🔗	N/A	replaceable (dual LC on the bundled SFP module)	depends on the SFP module (2 on the bundled one)	Feigee	HTOC	N/A	5V	DC barrel jack	❌
🔗	N/A	SC		NVOC	NVOC	N/A		DC barrel jack	❌
🔗	N/A	SC		GoFibereasy	GoFibereasy	N/A		DC barrel jack	❌
🔗	N/A	replaceable, LC with default SFP module	depends on the SFP module (2 on the bundled one)	I-ONT	Link-XUNXING	N/A		DC barrel jack	❌

The Ewind adapter may be cool at home or office, providing significant communication speeds.

I'm not sure the Xicom adaptor reaches a gigabit on large enough distances, but it's worth testing. It's important to remember that physics interjects to cap the maximum distances:

Maybe it'll be easier to set up a group of media converters as a module:

There are also versions without a case:

Rack-mount media converter chassis

Sometimes, i.e. on distances larger than a typical building, you can expect to need a multimode fiber to transfer the information quickly enough. While adding more media converters in the middle should be possible, inserting many individual repeaters would be harder than installing a multimode cable for a long time.

I expect the large distance issue can be solved using the switch and rack assemblies shown here; however, I haven't had a chance to test it.

Units	Size, inch	Slots	PSU count	Link
2U	19 inch	14 Slots	2	https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005196551612.html
2U		14	1 or 2	TL-FC1400, TL-FC1420
2U	19 inch	14 Slots	2	https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004578758423.html
2U	19 inch	16 Slots	2	https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005274581266.html

TODO:

Cables

Indoors

Cable	Length, meters	Cores	Tested	Brand
SC-to-SC cable	10	1	✅	Ampcom
SC-to-SC cable	30	1	✅	Ampcom

Outdoors

Cable	Length, meters	Cores	Tested	Brand
Outdoor Fiber cable	5	4/6/8/12	❌	Chuanglixin Networks Specialty

Splitters

FTTH splitter

Connectors

Connector	Brand	Count
SC/APC cold connector	FASO
SC/APC SM Single-Mode Optical Connector	SevenLayer
Fiber Optic Connector Adapter	ONTi	50 - 400 Pcs

Cleaners

Cable	Cores	Tested	Brand
COMPTYCO AUA-550 cleaner + core	1	✅	Network tool store
COMPTYCO AUA-550 core	1	✅	Network tool store

Device photos

HTB-GS-03

SpeedTest output on 10m fiber cable

SpeedTest output on 30m fiber cable

Other photos

Front	Back

Top	Label

HTB-GS-20