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From: djc@sun.uucp (David J. Cardinal)
Newsgroups: net.lan
Subject: Re: Fiber-optic Ethernet Extender
Message-ID: <3732@sun.uucp>
Date: Wed, 21-May-86 18:38:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: sun.3732
Posted: Wed May 21 18:38:28 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 24-May-86 04:41:43 EDT
References: <373@imagen.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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If we are not allowed to use "live" cable (ie Ethernet), then
we have used a pair of Codenol modems to a fiber (since this was
all in a PacBell conduit, they sort of do the work if you tell them
what needs to be done).  [Can't run Etthernet across our street].

If the buildings are adjacent, it is cheaper to just run the Ethernet
(if you have a distance problem, I don't believe the fiber helps unless
 you get something smarter like a Vitalink or somesuch that does something
 like repeat the packets; this is where you begin to need gateways to
 keep your protocols happy with extended delays, and/or internetwork
 routers to move across non-homogenous media; not to mention that local
 protocols like "get me a printer" are confused if "local" isn't).

We also use our internetwork router over microwave and leased lines to
extend our net, but that sounds like overkill for two adjacent 
buildings.

> We are in need of a way to extend our network across a conduit to an
> adjacent building.  To simplify matters, we'd like to use an "ethernet
> extender" device that hooks two halves of an ethernet together
> with a fiber optic cable and looks like a repeater (?).  I seem to
> remember that something like this exists, but I don't remember much
> about it.  Does anyone know about such a product?
> 
> Does anyone have clever ideas of how to connect two ethernets in
> different but adjacent buildings (don't bother to tell me about
> gateways, I know about them).
>  
> - Geof Cooper
>   Imagen