Copper vs. Fiber
Todd Gerger
NT1310

Abstract
In this paper we will be looking at the differences between Copper and Fiber optic cables. We will discuss the differences between the two and why many of the current networks in operation use fiber on the backbone between equipment and telecommunications rooms or enclosures.
Copper vs. Fiber
In the comparison between fiber and copper fiber, costs of the fiber cable has come down quite a bit. The cable itself has become easier to install as well since the invention of the flexible fiber which makes it easier to pull the cable through places. The flexible fiber has not become widely used vs. copper yet due to the need for the costs to come down for the connections, the NIC’s. the hub’s, routers and switches.
Fiber Advantages
The following advantages of fiber over other cabling systems are: (Oliviero 250) Immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), higher data rates, longer maximum distances, and better security.
With copper cabling there is one common cabling problem they are susceptible to EMI. EMI is a stray electromagnetism that interferes with the signal. All electrical cables generate a magnetic field around their central axis. If you pass a metal conductor through a magnetic field an electrical field is generated in that conductor. When you place two cables next to one another EMI will cause cross-talk which is where signals from one cable is picked up on the other cable. Because fiber does not conduct electricity and uses only light signals in a glass fiber instead of electrical signals through a metallic conductor, to transmit data. Since it does not use any metallic media it is immune to EMI.
Higher Possible Data Rates (Oliviero 250) are possible because light is immune to interference and can be modulated at very high frequencies. It also travels almost instantaneously to its destination which means there is almost no time for interference which means data rates are much higher than traditional copper media. The rates for data on a fiber cable reach past the Giga bit per second (Gbps) range and the standards for IEEE is working on a 100Gbps fiber-based applications over much longer distances than copper cabling.
Longer Maximum Distances (Oliviero 251) are possible with fiber than with traditional copper media. Fiber can run at lengths of 75 Kilometers vs. 100 meters for copper media. This is possible again due to fiber not suffering from EMI and they subsequently also do not suffer from signal degradation over long distances such as copper media can and do.
Better Security (Oliviero 251) is featured with fiber as copper can be eavesdropped on through taps. A tap (short for wiretap) is a device that punctures through the outer jacket of a copper cable and touches the inner conductor. The tap then intercepts the signals sent on a LAN and sends them to another unwanted location. There is also the Electromagnetic tap that will instead of puncturing the cable outer jacket will use the magnetic fields of the cable which are similar to the electrical signals. The EM Tap will then amplify the signals picked up and transmit them to the other party who initiated the tap.
Because fiber cabling uses light instead of electrical signals it is immune to most types of eavesdropping. Traditional taps do not work due to the puncturing of the cable would be blocking the light and not allowing any singal to get through. There is not any EM field generated so the EM tap would not work. For this reason fiber is used in networks that must remain entirely secure such as government and research networks.
The Disadvantages of Fiber-Optic Cabling (Oliviero 251) are still the cost of the connectors, the extra time involved in installing those connectors, and the additional cost of NICs, Hubs, Routers, and Switches. Until those costs come down more than we will not see a lot of fiber to the desk in commercial application except in cases where the network must remain secure. The additional time needed to install the connectors is due to having to have a complexly clean and flat end for the connector to connect to the cable. This keep the light from getting distorted in transmission. The extra time it takes to is polish the end of the cut cable to make sure of a good connection. Where the cost really diverges is in the Ethernet hubs, switches routers, NICs and patch cords for UTP. The costs for a good-quality UTP based 10/100/1000 autosensing Ethernet NIC for a PC can be purchased for less than $25. The same NIC for a Fiber cable costs at least 4 times as much. Similar price differences exist for hubs, routers, and switches. So if you were an IT manager who has several hundred workstations to connect and need to keep your costs in line you would opt to go with the fiber as the backbone and UTP from the telecommunications closet to the desk. Installation can be more difficult with fiber as mentioned above due to having to polish the ends of the cut cable before putting the connectors on to keep the light from getting distorted. There are connectors that can be used for fiber that do not require the polishing step. By doing this you eliminate the need for the polishing and you also eliminate the need for the epoxy resin used to hold the cable in place. Instead in the new connectors you use dynamic tension to keep the cable in place, however using an index matching gel in such connectors further improves the quality of the connection.
Copper Cable benefits
The benefits of copper cable (Oliviero 218) are that it is easy to install, is relatively inexpensive and the methods used to install the cabling such as connectors, patch panels, wall plate outlets, connecting block, exc., are easily understood.
Copper Disadvantages
The main downside to using copper cabling (Oliviero 218) is the susceptibility of the cabling to EMI, copper cabling provides less bandwidth then fiber, and the data on a copper wire is not as secure as it is traveling through fiber cabling.

Conclusion
In conclusion until the costs of the other parts of a fiber network come down in price we will still see fiber being used as the backbone and then UTP being used from the telecommunications closets to the desk.

References
Woodward, A. O. (2011). Cabling The Complete Guide to Copper and Fiber-Optic Networking . John Wiley & Sons.