Fiber v. Copper

Fiber v. Copper: 

How will our networks support our data

   
     Think of our global data network just like our water infrastructure. There are places where we store our data just like we store our water at reservoirs. The water coming directly out of the reservoirs is transported in huge pipes because it needs to supply an increasing population just as data does. From the huge pipes it goes into smaller pipes located in the cities and eventually into the small plumbing in the houses and businesses that supply water to the end users just like data does. The only difference is that the end user data usage is changing quickly to ever increasing levels. This means that the current infrastructure at the end user level won't be able to support massive amounts of data that we want and need.
   
     Fiber optic network cables have been around for a very long time. It was first developed in 1970 by Corning Glass Works a precursor to Corning Inc. the famous Gorilla Glass producer. But it was not widely used until about 1990 and is now the backbone of data transfer over the world just like those huge pipes that transfer our water.
     Copper cabling is not going anywhere, it will be here for the foreseeable future because it is the only way to transport electricity. But for networking purposes we are going to need something that will be able to handle massive amounts of data to the end user.

     Copper Cabling can hold up to 10 gigabit ethernet (at short distances) but that won't cut it in the future for data transfer because of one thing, the attenuation or loss of strength that occurs during transmission of data. Copper can support ever increasing amounts of data but when that occurs you shorten the distance that you can transport that signal strength. This requires highly engineered cables that may be to expensive for the customer and need to be upgraded in the future to hold larger data demands.
     Fiber however can transmit massive quantities of data, over longer distances, with lighter & thinner cables. This allows for use of existing framework of networking like the cabling ducts in building and pipelines underground. The only negative to fiber is that some networks may need to be completely overhauled.

Copper vs. Fiber Networking

     There are some very attractive long term savings for switching to fiber networks. The number one advantage is the overall longevity of the fiber network. The fiber network will be able to hold data loads well into the future because of it's immense capacity. Data requirements will catch up to copper networks much faster meaning an overhaul would be needed sooner. Fiber networks are also more durable than copper ones and will require less replacement of cables.
     Fiber networks require much less energy to operate. Copper networks require electricity to transmit and cool networks because of the heat created by the electricity flowing through the network. Because signals are transmitted with light on fiber networks they require much less electricity to transmit and almost none to cool. This also means there will be very little risk of a fiber network being a fire hazard for your building. Overall reduction of electrical usage will make your building much more environmentally friendly and less costly to operate.

Advantages of Fiber

     Copper networks need to be engineered carefully because of the electro magnetic interference they create. This interference can ruin the signals of other surrounding wires and can also be monitored by outside sources that you may not want monitoring your network. Fiber optic cables on the other hand do  not emit electro magnetic fields because there is no electricity flowing through them. This means there is no interference with other cables and the only way to monitor the data would be to physically
tap into the connection making it's physical security very easy to control.

     The advantages of fiber networks will materialize when the Internet of Things comes to full fruition. The amount of data being transferred when everything is connected will be chocked by copper networks inability to handle it's demands. Company's that switch their networks to fiber will not only be saving money in the long run do to less maintenance, upgrades, and electrical usage but can reap the benefits of having a business connected to the Internet of Things.