The question of FTTD revisited

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: JEFF CARUSO ON HIGH SPEED LANS
08/25/05
Today's focus: The question of FTTD revisited

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Mailbag: fiber vs. copper
* Links related to High Speed LANs
* Featured reader resource
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponosred by Akamai
Download the Network World Special Report: Accelerating
Web-based Applications: Managed Services Offer Benefits Without
Infrastructure Headaches

Look at most companies and you'll find one thing in common, a
move to Web-enable mission critical applications. A new breed of
managed services, aimed directly at accelerating performance and
availability of Web-based applications, helps companies attain
their goals of profit and growth - no matter how far or wide the
audience they are trying to reach. Learn how Web-based
applications can allow your company to boost the bottom line.
Download this Special Report today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=110770
_______________________________________________________________
THE ROI OF VOIP

When it comes to VoIP, most network managers are satisfied that
the technology works. But there are questions: What will the new
technology cost to roll out and support, and what benefits can
companies expect to reap? Check out NW's step-by-step guide on
how to determine the true cost and benefits of VoIP. Click here:
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=110679
_______________________________________________________________

Today's focus: The question of FTTD revisited

By Jeff Caruso

My recent articles on wireless, copper and fiber as desktop
alternatives resurrected the age-old debate of whether fiber
optics could or should be used to connect desktops to a LAN.

For the most part, you argue that fiber cannot be used, for
several reasons.

First, despite the fiber industry's attempts to convince IT
managers otherwise, many of you believe that fiber to the
desktop (FTTD) is simply too expensive. Here's a representative
response:

"Fiber is a red herring. The cost of an optical NIC is typically
two to 10 times the cost of anything that produces an electrical
interface. That assumes we're talking about multimode fiber,
which doesn't provide much more capacity than Cat 6 over the
range we're describing."

Here's another one:

"Fiber is great - however, the cost of the cabling alone is
enough to keep this product from reaching mass market appeal.
The lack of widespread demand for fiber (in both capacity and
volume) keeps this from being implemented as a standard into
consumer electronics. The alternative solution to deploy media
converters isn't exactly cheap either."

Still, some argued in favor of fiber:

"Deploy fiber everywhere. It is secure, fast, reliable, and
immune to EMI. Yesterday, if fiber were too expensive, you would
deploy copper; however, the cost advantage is no longer a big
factor in most systems. In fact, in systems where copper must be
protected with expensive surge protectors, rigid steel conduit,
exotic grounding and power protection schemes, fiber may be
cheaper than copper."

A couple of readers brought up the fragility of fiber lines as
being a large drawback:

"It's not just the initial cost of the cabling itself, but
[also] the cost of the adapters/transceivers for the hosts AND
the switches, and the manpower for troubleshooting fiber cabling
problems caused by Barbara the CEO's assistant kicking off her
shoes under her desk and breaking the glass. When Barbara kicks
the doghouse that her [copper] cabling comes from, it isn't that
big a deal to open it up and check for loose cables, and
re-punch, if necessary. Not anymore with fiber."

The last major strike against fiber that readers brought up is
that Power over Ethernet - and possibly other desirable
technologies - is available only over copper lines:

"[With fiber,] you lose all the existing and future
protocols/creations (PoE, etc.) that will spring up to use the
huge, vast UTP infrastructure out there."

Many thanks to all who wrote in. More on this topic in the next
couple of newsletters.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Zotob worm also targets Windows XP
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllan5911>

2. Dr. Internet: Installing DHCP on Linux
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllan5912>

3. Cisco preparing management play
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllan5623>

4. IP PBXs outsell traditional PBXs, study says
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllan5913>

5. Test: Xirrus XS-3900 offers out-of-this-world Wi-Fi capacity
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllan5914>

Today's most-forwarded story:

IP PBXs outsell traditional PBXs, study says
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllan5915>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Jeff Caruso

Jeff Caruso is managing editor of online news for Network World.
He oversees daily online news posting and newsletter editing,
and writes the NetFlash daily news summary, the High-Speed LANs
newsletter and the Voices of Networking newsletter. Contact him
at <mailto:jcaruso@nww.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponosred by Akamai
Download the Network World Special Report: Accelerating
Web-based Applications: Managed Services Offer Benefits Without
Infrastructure Headaches

Look at most companies and you'll find one thing in common, a
move to Web-enable mission critical applications. A new breed of
managed services, aimed directly at accelerating performance and
availability of Web-based applications, helps companies attain
their goals of profit and growth - no matter how far or wide the
audience they are trying to reach. Learn how Web-based
applications can allow your company to boost the bottom line.
Download this Special Report today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=110769
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Archive of the High Speed LANs newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/lans/index.html

LANs/Routers Research Center:
http://www.networkworld.com/topics/lans-routers.html
_______________________________________________________________
FEATURED READER RESOURCE
IT STAFF SHORTAGE LOOMING

Outsourcing. Automation. Downsizing. The industry has been awash
in unemployed IT pros. But experts are now predicting an IT
staffing crunch is just around the corner, and the implications
for U.S. technology innovation are sobering. What might be
causing the shortage and what might need to be done to prevent
it? Click here:
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllan5916>
_______________________________________________________________
May We Send You a Free Print Subscription?
You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered
at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by
receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. Apply
today at http://www.subscribenw.com/nl2

International subscribers click here:
http://nww1.com/go/circ_promo.html
_______________________________________________________________
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World e-mail
newsletters, go to:
<http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Changes.aspx>

To change your e-mail address, go to:
<http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/ChangeMail.aspx>

Subscription questions? Contact Customer Service by replying to
this message.

This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com
Please use this address when modifying your subscription.
_______________________________________________________________

Have editorial comments? Write Jeff Caruso, Newsletter Editor,
at: <mailto:jcaruso@nww.com>

Inquiries to: NL Customer Service, Network World, Inc., 118
Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772

For advertising information, write Kevin Normandeau, V.P. of
Online Development, at: <mailto:sponsorships@nwfusion.com>

Copyright Network World, Inc., 2005