Anyone have experience running fiber?

[ChiefGator]

I could potentially get 1900 feet of fiber for $480 or so, which is about 30% the original cost. I could use it to run internet out to my barn and a few other places on my property, but I don't have any experience running it.

Anyone here know much about it?

Like, can I parse this for a couple smaller runs, and could I extend it for a slightly longer run, to run between two houses on my property?

[keg in kc]

I ate raisin bran this morning, but I think you mean a different kind of fiber.

[htismaqe]

You want to do as few splices as possible, it isn't easy to terminate like copper is. You'll also want to protect it since it can break - armored conduit is certainly necessary and bury it if you can.

[Hammock Parties]

That's really stupid.

Just get this:

https://www.ui.com/airmax/nanobeam-ac-gen2/

[gblowfish]

Do your cows need internet access?

[ChiefGator]

That's really stupid.

Just get this:

https://www.ui.com/airmax/nanobeam-ac-gen2/

This is an interesting idea....

[Hammock Parties]

This is an interesting idea....

Far more cost effective and much easier, too.

Too bad you're not in KC area. I used to work for a company that installs these in a couple hours.

[ChiefGator]

Do your cows need internet access?

Nah, but I want to use connected devices to help record our activities in the field and use the fiber to extend our wireless access.

[Simply Red]

only runny fiber poos, my guy.

[Hammock Parties]

Nah, but I want to use connected devices to help record our activities in the field and use the fiber to extend our wireless access.

Get one of those beamers and a set of ubiquiti's cameras.

Good to go.

[ChiefGator]

Far more cost effective and much easier, too.

Too bad you're not in KC area. I used to work for a company that installs these in a couple hours.

The only argument for the fiber then is that I will already be digging ditches there to bring electricity to the buildings, so it wouldn't be hard to put in the fiber and I wouldn't have to worry about keeping a line of sight, but that wouldn't be too hard in my case really. My main building is up on a hill and would be shooting down the hill to the others.

Hmm..

[ChiefGator]

Get one of those beamers and a set of ubiquiti's cameras.

Good to go.

Those work okay through rain for relatively short distances? We get a downpour every day in the summertime down here.

[Hammock Parties]

Those work okay through rain for relatively short distances? We get a downpour every day in the summertime down here.

Should be fine, though I would call Ubiquiti to discuss the specifics of your situation.

[ChiefGator]

Should be fine, though I would call Ubiquiti to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Thanks man! Appreciate it!

[ptlyon]

This guy must really like porn

[ChiefGator]

This guy must really like porn

Maybe my sheep like porn?

I thought it would be a selling point.. organic, all grass-fed, porn-happy, lamb meat.

[oldman]

Do you have the required electronics? The fiber is always the cheapest part.

[ChiefGator]

Do you have the required electronics? The fiber is always the cheapest part.

Actually the link that Clay posted had some cheap electronics for the fiber to wifi even... those didn't look to bad.

Trying to get more details about the fiber that is for sale (from my day job) to find out if it is even a good deal or not. But, the little beaming dishes is a very viable option as well.

[Hammock Parties]

Those aren't the electronics he's talking about. You need special stuff to terminate the ends of the fiber cable and it's just a pain in the ass to set up compared to traditional ethernet.

The beaming stuff isn't specifically for fiber, it's for any kind of existing internet you have. You just plug an ethernet cable into the back and it beams the signal to the receiver.

[ChiefGator]

Yeah, I have just looked at what I would need at the edges of the fiber.. and it looks like Ubiquiti has a Gigabit Passive Optical Network CPE with built-in WiFi and multiple VLAN-aware switch ports for the edge points quite cheaply.. like $70.

As for what I would need in my "CO" to drive the fiber and connect it to my server room and internet... still gotta look for that. Oh, and the GPON splitters of course.

[tooge]

I've layed lots of cable, but no, I've never layed fiber

[TribalElder]

as mentioned before splicing will be the biggest challenge

once and a while you will have to replace optics on switches

overall fiber is a nice choice and won't get disrupted like wireless could*

pr0n will stream nice to the barn on 10gig links

[Baby Lee]

Dangers of running fiber

https://images.gawker.com/afscuecqn42cpv1comlf/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636.jpg

[tatorhog]

As mentioned, you'll need to terminate the runs. It'll need to be in some kind of protected tube underground. You'll most likely want to run a trace wire with it, just to be safe. then you'll need electronics on both ends. You'll want to make sure you match your SFP to your length. I've recently been working with HPE on a project, and the SFP we are using for our short runs is good for up to 1640ft. So at 1900 ft, you would need to find the right SFP, do it wrong and you ether don't have enough light or too much light. Both suck.

You can get relatively inexpensive switches and SFPs, but its still going to be way higher than what you are buying the fiber run for. Then since its a barn, you'll want some kind of enclosure for your electronics.

Buy the wireless gadgets. There is a company close to here that does "smart farm" setups, which is basically them peddling nano bridges for a pseudo-canopy of coverage over the farm. It'll be considerably cheaper.

[scho63]

Nah, but I want to use connected devices to help record our activities in the field and use the fiber to extend our wireless access.

Live Cow Cam? Is there a big demand for that kind of thing? :hmmm:

[ChiefGator]

Live Cow Cam? Is there a big demand for that kind of thing? :hmmm:

Should be.. alot of Kindergartens and early baby care now have cams so you can see how they treat your baby all the time. Don't you want to see how your cow or pig was treated throughout its life before it hits your table.. ;)

EDIT: Of course, no cameras in our abattoir. Great word 'abattoir' ... sounds like a sauna for animals ... :: chuckle ::

[MTG#10]

I have a lot of experience laying pipe, does that interest you?

[ChiefGator]

I have a lot of experience laying pipe, does that interest you?

Where did that gay dating thread go to anyway... I think you meant to post in there.. ;)

EDIT: Ah.. here you go.. https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=322998

[MTG#10]

Where did that gay dating thread go to anyway... I think you meant to post in there.. ;)

EDIT: Ah.. here you go.. https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=322998

I'm not gay, just didn't want to assume your gender. Maybe the Mrs would be interested?

[ChiefGator]

I'm not gay, just didn't want to assume your gender.

Probably a good idea nowadays... I'm a privileged, white cis male. lol

Maybe the Mrs would be interested?

Damn Mrs left me a couple weeks ago.. but there is a thread about ladies of Chiefsplanet.. ;)

[MTG#10]

Damn Mrs left me a couple weeks ago.. but there is a thread about ladies of Chiefsplanet.. ;)

Damn now I feel bad. Sorry man.

:(

[ChiefGator]

Damn now I feel bad. Sorry man.

:(

No worries, man.. it was for the best.. I let relationships linger WAAYY to long in reality.

[ChiefGator]

The transceivers for the ends aren't very expensive for shorter runs.

https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Intelligent-Multi-Mode-Converter-TFC-1000MSC/dp/B00008NV11/ref=zg_bs_306627011_10

That is only $52. Of course you need two, but still.

The price has probably dropped and if you were running even longer you probably would need more. Of course, you would need two of these for each link.

I think I may do a combination of fiber for the long runs (since it is weather proof) and the small satellite dishes to help extend the wifi over to some places.

I don't want to have handle situations of certain nodes being down and having to cache data locally for a bit before getting access back to the main hub.

[ChiefGator]

Oh, and these videos were awesome for the very basic info on setting up a network with fiber components

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2yYkv2MQw4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbNXn4Eu__4

[Saulbadguy]

How long are your runs?

[ChiefGator]

How long are your runs?

Longest run would be 1200 feet actually. A couple little 800 feet runs and a short 150 foot run to get to my house from the demarcation point in my workshop/garage.

This is all SLIGHTLY premature, except that my job bought a long run of it ( 1900 feet ) and they have offered it to me at about 66% off original cost, so I am trying to decide whether to get it or not. Getting the rest of the details on the fiber this morning. it is on a large spool.

[Aspengc8]

Do you have someone to do the cutting & splicing? We pay a contractor to do all the fusion splicing for us, shits not cheap.


as mentioned before splicing will be the biggest challenge

once and a while you will have to replace optics on switches

overall fiber is a nice choice and won't get disrupted like wireless could*

pr0n will stream nice to the barn on 10gig links

He's not going to notice any speed differences whether its 1Gb or 10Gb from his barn/etc out to the internet, it will run at whatever his IP connection is.

[ChiefGator]

Do you have someone to do the cutting & splicing? We pay a contractor to do all the fusion splicing for us, shits not cheap.

I'm gonna start running down my friends list and hope someone has a buddy...

Both ends of the fiber (which I did decide to buy) already has SC jacks on them.. I just hope the length isn't too long, or I will need someone to cut some off and reterminate it on one side.

I got 1150' of 6 strand inside/outside OM-3 50/125 fiber cable for $480, and it cost the company $1240 a year or so ago. :: shrug ::

[srvy]

Why not just adjust your route so you dont have to cut dont go as the crow flies?

[ChiefGator]

Why not just adjust your route so you dont have to cut dont go as the crow flies?

Yeah, that is kind of what I thought.. as the crow flies is about 800'.. having the extra will be nice, since it makes more sense to curve a bit on my way over there, and go down the side of one path, and then down another path. Even if I have 100' rolled up on the wall of the barn.. no big deal really.

And I was just pricing the cost for fiber optic retermination kits, and they are expensive.