Fiber Distributed Data Interface technology creates the ultimate security that money can buy. Replace your Ethernet network switches with FDDI switching products. Fiber Distributed Data Interface switches are more expensive, but they are worth the price. If your business is a data center or telecommunications carrier, consider that Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) switches are data centers or telecom carriers.

Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) switches can work on copper wire. Data transmits at 100 Mbps on copper wire, the same as it does on fiber, but the distance that data travels is where fiber wins over copper.

With FDDI technology, you get:

1. Security with FDDI switches
2. Reliability with FDDI Ethernet network switches
3. Improved performance with Fiber Distributed Data Interface switches

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find FDDI LAN manufacturers of switches

Companies that make and sell FDDI switches are not as plentiful as the manufacturers that make gigabit Ethernet switches and network firewire switches. This is primarily due to price, but gigabit Ethernet technology also has improved. Gigabit Ethernet switches perform almost as well as FDDI Ethernet switches. Nevertheless, there are suppliers of FDDI switches you can find online.

I recommend: Check out Glimmerglass and Versitron Inc. These companies specialize in FDDI switching solutions. Glimmerglass says on its website that it caters to data centers or telecommunications companies. If you have questions about fiber Ethernet switches, contact Versitron.

Use multi-mode optical fiber for FDDI switching in one building

Installing and using multi-mode optical fiber will save you money because it costs less than single-mode optical fiber. Multi-mode optical fiber is ideal if your business is located in one building or if the data doesn't have a long distance to travel. You can connect the multi-mode optical fiber to your FDDI switches and network firewire switches. Data can transfer between 10 Mbits per second to 10 Gbits per second. Multi-mode optical fiber uses a technology called modal dispersion. Light enters the fiber at different angles, meaning that these light modes reach the end of the fiber at different times.

I recommend: Check Oncore Power Systems Inc. It sells rechargeable batteries for notebooks, but it also sells multi-mode optical fiber. Another source is TrippLite.

Link FDDI switches in multiple offices with single-mode optical fiber

Invest in single-mode optical fiber if your network requires greater distance. You will also want to use single-mode optical fiber if you have offices in several buildings. How single-mode optical fiber differs from multi-mode optical fiber is that single-mode optical fiber uses a single mode of light. As a result, you'll get better and superior performance over large distances. One thing to keep in mind is that equipment you will use for multi-mode optical fiber will be more expensive.

I recommend: Belkin International is a leader in making network cables. Many companies use its products. You also will want to look at StarTech.com. It's been in business for more than 20 years.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you decide to buy single-mode optical fiber for your FDDI switches, buy it in bulk. The costs will be cheaper.