[ale] Fiber (was Ethernet)

[Daniel Howard]

I think Chris and Mike have reiterated what I was trying to say, that 
the connectorization of fiber is both more expensive from a tools 
perspective, a moving target, and a higher level skill than certainly 
F-connectors on coax or RJ-45 on Cat 5/5e or even 8P8C connectors on 
Cat6.  But I like Chris' suggestion of an ALE community toolchest, I'd 
chip in.  Remember the suggestion a while back that we chip in to get 
one of those $10,000 laser turntables to digitize our LPs (my wife is on 
the lookout for one of these at an estate sale...).

Best, Daniel

From: Chris Fowler <cfowler at outpostsentinel.com>
Subject: Re: [ale] Fiber

Here is an idea.  Get someone from ALE that has the tools for fiber to
come by and put connectors on.

From: Mike Harrison <meuon at geeklabs.com> Subject: Re: [ale] Ethernet To:
 > > If you need to make a really long run, fiber is the only option. 
You can even pickup fiber transceivers at microcenter now. I don't know 
if you can get a roll of fiber and ends and the tools to apply ends.

Last couple of times I needed "one 1200' run" of fiber, the guys at
Graybar Supply had them waiting at the counter for me when I got there.
Not sure if they were doing it as Graybar, or someone who does business
there does it for them...

Not cheap, and yet, worth every penny.  :)

At home, I have 3 sets of fiber tools.. seems like every time I buy the
tools and waste a few connectors figuring out the latest "system", the
next time when I need ends, the ends for that system are no longer
available.  I no longer try, I just don't do it that often....

Even more off topic: If you ever get to watch or assist fusing fiber,
especially "ribbon cable" with one of the incredible microscoped
'automated' splicers, it's worth watching.. at least a few times  :)
-- 
Daniel Howard
President and CEO
Georgia Open Source Education Foundation