Fibre (Fiber) vs Copper as Fast As Possible

Summary

The video compares copper and fiber optic cables in the 'ultimate bandwidth challenge.' Copper, a traditional technology, is widely deployed and cheaper but has limitations in speed and distance. Fiber optic cables, utilizing light to transmit data, offer significantly higher capacity, speed, and resistance to interference. However, they are more expensive to install. The video explains the current trend toward hybrid networks, where fiber is used for backbone infrastructure and copper for last-mile connections. Ultimately, fiber offers a future-proof solution, but widespread adoption is still in progress.

Takeaways

• ⚡ Copper cables have been in use since the 20th century and are highly conductive, making them great for carrying power and signals.
• 🔄 Copper cables transmit data by modulating and demodulating waveforms, but their data capacity is limited due to waveform degradation over distance.
• 💰 Copper is less expensive per unit distance compared to fiber optic cables, and it's widely deployed in existing infrastructure.
• 🌐 Fiber optic cables, invented in the 1970s, use light bursts to carry signals, allowing for higher data capacity and longer transmission distances than copper.
• 🚀 Light signals in fiber optic cables travel at around 200,000 km/second, and maintain signal integrity better over long distances.
• 🔒 Fiber optics are immune to electromagnetic interference and can handle multiple wavelengths of light, further increasing data transmission capacity.
• 💡 Fiber optics can use LEDs or lasers for data transmission, and fibers can be bundled together for future expandability.
• 🏗️ Despite its advantages, fiber is much more expensive per length compared to copper, which slows down its widespread adoption.
• 🔌 Hybrid deployments are common, where fiber is used for backbone infrastructure while copper runs handle the 'last mile' to individual customers.
• 🎬 Sponsors for videos can be fun! The example sponsor mentioned was Fractal Design, and the humor involved using glitter glue as part of the promotion.

Q & A

What is the key difference between copper and fiber optic cables in terms of signal transmission?

Copper cables transmit signals using the movement of electrons through the wire, while fiber optic cables transmit signals using light bursts through a transparent glass core.

Why has copper been a long-standing choice for networking communications?

Copper has been used since the early 20th century due to its high conductivity, making it ideal for carrying electrical power and signals over shorter distances. It's also less expensive and widely deployed.

What are the main limitations of copper cables for data transmission?

Copper cables have limited data capacity because they can only carry a small number of waveforms, and these waveforms degrade quickly over longer distances. They are also more prone to electromagnetic interference.

What are the primary advantages of fiber optic cables over copper cables?

Fiber optic cables offer much higher data capacity, maintain signal integrity over longer distances, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and can bundle multiple fibers for future expandability.

Why isn't fiber optic cable used everywhere despite its advantages?

The cost of installing fiber optic cables is significantly higher than copper per unit distance, which makes it more expensive to deploy on a large scale. This has slowed down widespread adoption.

How do hybrid deployments of fiber and copper work in modern networks?

Hybrid deployments use fiber optic cables as the backbone to serve multiple customers, while copper cables are used for the 'last mile' to individual homes. This setup balances speed, reliability, and cost efficiency.

What role does electromagnetic interference play in the choice between copper and fiber?

Copper cables are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, which can degrade signal quality. Fiber optic cables are immune to this, making them more reliable in environments with high interference.

What are 'dark fibers,' and why are they installed during fiber optic installations?

'Dark fibers' are unused fibers that are installed during the initial setup for potential future use. They provide scalability and flexibility for expanding the network without needing additional infrastructure.

What makes fiber optic cables suitable for transmitting data over long distances?

Fiber optic cables can transmit data over long distances because the light signals they carry do not degrade as quickly as electrical signals in copper, allowing communication across thousands of kilometers, like undersea cables.

How do fiber optic cables handle increasing data demands compared to copper cables?

Fiber optic cables can handle increasing data demands by transmitting multiple wavelengths of light simultaneously through a single fiber, effectively increasing their data capacity, which copper cannot do as efficiently.