Summary

Fiber optic cablings' unique set of advantages makes this specific type of connectivity solution ideal for high bandwidth requirements of LANs and WANs that transmit voice and data as the majority of their traffic. It departments that choose to implement Fiber Optics as their backbone cabling standard often include a series of repeaters to ensure the signals sent are strengthened before they reach their destination system. The development of cabling techniques for allowing for synchronous communication is also significantly changing how fiber optic cabling is used.

The role of fiber optic cabling in the creation of networks is clearly seen in the context of the OSI Model. The Data Link layer of the OSI Model is where Fiber Optic cablings' specifications are defined and included as part of the broader protocol stack. The introduction of high speed interfaces that capitalize on the unique strengths of Fiber Optics communications, including FDDI, are becoming increasingly commonplace in telecommunications, high-speed Internet, and high bandwidth-based application areas. The use of Fiber Optic in both CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA-based network topologies also is a direct result of the cablings' adoption in the faster token ring networks that operate at 16 Mbps, versus the 10 MBps that many TCP/IP-based networks run on. The ability of FDDI interfaces to intermediate between CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA is a major technological gain for the technology and its ability to work in multiple networking protocols and resulting operating systems as well. Further, the innate advantages of Fiber Optic to intermediate accentuation of signals and also provide a more accurate signal also makes Fiber Channel ideal for high bandwidth requirements of integrated voice and data networks.

The future of Fiber Optic cabling is going to be directly related to the development of increasingly complex streaming media and VoIP-based applications. The higher the bandwidth, the greater the reliance on more efficient and streamlined interface technologies. FDDI will most likely see performance gains as an interface standard given the increasing demands of applications...

As more and more copper-based backbones are being replaced with FDDI, there will be an increasing focus on how to create the highest level of performance possible for all forms of digital content accessible over the Internet as well. Fiber optic cabling is ideally suited for the specific requirements of how larger enterprises will be using the Internet and their own content management systems in the future as well. The role of digital asset management, digital content management, the enterprise integration of these two systems and the resulting repositories of digital content (all forms) also is a market dynamic that will favor the development of increasingly sophisticated approaches to the development new, accentuated interfaces that realize the full potential of Fiber Optic cabling in high bandwidth environments. Finally, the use of fiber optic cabling to traverse larger enterprise LANs and WANs is an evolving trend on metropolitan area networks, especially in those businesses that rely on a single database for the majority of the information needed to run their business models. The entire concept of having a 360 degree view of both customers and the market is also predicated on high bandwidth speeds of all forms of digital content, and this market dynamics is revolutionizing the use of fiber optic cabling as well.