Gigabit Ethernet Media Converter

IMC Networks' standalone copper-to-fiber converter is designed to minimize the cost of building and maintaining gigabit ethernet networks. AutoCross feature simplifies deployment.

by Wayne Kawamoto [March 16, 2001]

IMC Networks announced the new McBasic Gigabit Ethernet ("GbE") copper-to-fiber media converter.

According to IMC Networks, the McBasic GbE is a rugged, standalone converter with an internal power supply, which makes it suitable for a wide range of installations, from the telco central office to building out local area networks over fiber infrastructures.

McBasic GbE includes the FiberAlert feature to alert network managers of problems, which may ease the process of isolating and troubleshooting fiber breaks should they occur. FiberAlert is designed to minimize the problems associated with the loss of one strand of fiber by mirroring the link status from one end of the fiber to the other. Even if the fiber devices are separated geographically, the link status may be seen at either end, thus helping identify and isolate faults anywhere in the fiber loop.

McBasic GbE uses autonegotiation to configure each port for full/half duplex and master/slave modes of operation.

The AutoCross feature on 1000Base-T ports is designed to automatically determine whether or not McBasic GbE needs to crossover between the four pairs on the RJ-45 connector, simplifying installation by eliminating the need for both crossover and straight-through cable.

"Gigabit Ethernet has established itself in the enterprise backbone, and is making headway into the MAN and WAN over campus and service provider networks," said Michael Dailey, president and chief executive officer of IMC Networks. "With the release of the industry-first modular Gigabit Ethernet converter last year, and now with the standalone McBasic model, IMC Networks has taken the leadership role in enabling enterprise and service provider networks to deliver the speed of Gigabit Ethernet over both copper and fiber optic cabling infrastructures."

"McBasic GbE provides substantial cost-savings over 1000Base-LX switch ports, and allows extending the reach of Gigabit Ethernet up to 70 kilometers while using standard 1000Base-T switch ports at both ends of the fiber run," added Dailey. "On the LAN side, network managers can extend the productive life of the existing Category 5 cabling plant and use McBasic GbE to connect the latest optical switches to their network."

Price and availability
Available immediately, McBasic GbE copper-to-fiber converters carry the following list prices:

• McBasic 1000Base-T to 850nm multi-mode fiber—$950
• McBasic 1000Base-T to 1310nm single-mode fiber—$1,695
• McBasic 1000Base-T to 1550nm single-mode fiber—$5,600

—End