Scenario: You’re working with a fiber network connecting three buildings, but the fiber connection between Building 1 and Building 2 isn't functioning correctly, specifically for a new camera system you're trying to set up. You’ve verified that light passes through the fiber, but the link won't establish. You're also wondering if it’s possible to share a single fiber connection between two networks using switches or converters.
Key Points from Responses:
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Network Layout and Fiber Pair Use:
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Building 1 to Building 2 fiber: 3 pairs (1 in use, 1 prepped, 1 cut)
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Building 2 to Building 3 fiber: 3 pairs (1 in use, 1 prepped, 1 cut)
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You're trying to use the second pair between Building 1 and 2 for camera traffic.
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Solution Attempts:
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Switch A/B Lines: Several responses suggest trying to reverse the A/B fiber pairs (Tx and Rx). Since fiber does not have auto-MDIX like copper Ethernet, flipping the connectors on one side could solve the issue.
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Terminating the Third Pair: If the second pair isn't working due to a damaged connector or intermittent break, you might need to get the third pair terminated by professionals.
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Sharing Fiber Between Two Networks:
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Multi-Port Fiber Switch: Yes, it’s possible to share a single fiber connection between two networks by using a multi-port switch with SFP+ modules. Essentially, you would split the fiber into VLANs or point-to-point VPNs for separate traffic streams (e.g., cameras on one VLAN, regular traffic on another).
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Router or Edge Device: You can have SFP+ ports in each building connected by the fiber, and use routers or edge devices to manage different networks sharing the same physical fiber.
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Possible Issues and Considerations:
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Fiber Type (Multi-Mode): Verify that both fiber runs are the same type (62.5/125 micron multi-mode in your case), which seems to be consistent across buildings. Mixing fiber types could cause issues.
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Splicing as an Option: Some suggest splicing fiber pairs in Building 2 to ensure redundancy and better connectivity, especially if there’s a damaged connector in one of the pairs.
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Next Steps:
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Test the fiber pairs by flipping the connectors to ensure proper Tx/Rx alignment.
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Consider using a VLAN or separate networks on the same fiber to avoid running a completely separate fiber line for the camera system.
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Engage your network management team to terminate the third pair or fix the damaged connector if the fiber continues to cause issues.
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Conclusion:
Your idea of using a multi-port switch to share a fiber connection between two networks (main network and camera system) is sound. Make sure to try flipping the A/B fiber connections first to troubleshoot the link failure. If necessary, get the network team to help with terminating the third fiber pair or repairing the damaged connector.
If you’re still facing issues, splicing fiber in Building 2 or getting professional help may be needed to ensure full connectivity.
