The choice of data center transmission media is always a controversial topic, especially in dedicated facilities (such as data centers). Technical and business issues need to be considered. Some people think that copper wires should be chosen, while others think that they should be chosen. optical fiber, So what is the difference between copper wire and optical fiber? How to choose copper wire and optical fiber? In order to let users know how to choose copper wire and optical fiber, please follow JHA Technology to understand.

What is the difference between optical fiber and copper wire?

Optical fiber and copper wire are two common data center transmission media. Both have anti-interference and good confidentiality, so what is the difference between optical fiber and copper wire? The difference between the two is mainly reflected in the following four aspects:

1. Transmission distance
Generally speaking, the transmission distance of copper wire does not exceed 100m, while the maximum transmission distance of optical fiber can reach 100km (single-mode fiber), which far exceeds the transmission distance of copper wire.

2. Transmission rate
At present, the maximum transmission rate of copper wire can reach 40Gbps (such as Category 8 network cable, DAC passive copper cable), and the maximum transmission rate of optical fiber can reach 100Gbps (such as OM4 fiber jumper), which is much higher than that of copper wire.

3. Maintenance management
The operations such as the production of the crystal plug of the copper wire and the port connection of the equipment are very simple, while the operation of the cutting and welding of the optical fiber and the equipment connection are very demanding and complicated.

4. Price cost
In the case of the same length of optical fiber and copper wire, the price of optical fiber is generally 5-6 times the price of copper wire, and the price of optical fiber plug-in equipment (such as optical fiber coupler, etc.) is much higher than that of copper wire. In terms of cost, the price cost of optical fiber is much higher than that of copper wire.