Fiber types
| Type | Core / cladding (µm) | Color (jacket) | Typical wavelength | 10G reach | 40G reach | 100G reach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OM1 | 62.5 / 125 | Orange | 850 / 1300 nm | 33 m | — | — |
| OM2 | 50 / 125 | Orange | 850 / 1300 nm | 82 m | — | — |
| OM3 | 50 / 125 | Aqua | 850 nm (VCSEL) | 300 m | 100 m | 100 m (SR4) |
| OM4 | 50 / 125 | Aqua / Violet | 850 nm | 400 m | 150 m | 150 m |
| OM5 | 50 / 125 | Lime green | 850 – 950 nm | 400 m | 440 m (SWDM4) | 150 m (SR4) / 400 m (SWDM4) |
| OS1 | 8–10 / 125 | Yellow | 1310 / 1550 nm | 10 km | 10 km | 10 km |
| OS2 | 8–10 / 125 | Yellow | 1310 / 1550 nm | 40 km | 40 km | 80 km+ |
Differences
| Multimode (OM) | Larger core, LED or VCSEL source, shorter distances — cheaper per meter |
|---|---|
| Single-mode (OS) | Tiny core (~9 µm), laser source, long distances — more expensive optics |
| Modal dispersion | Multimode only — limits bandwidth-distance product |
| Wavelength | 850 nm for VCSEL MMF, 1310/1550 nm for SMF |
Connectors
| Connector | Notes |
|---|---|
| LC | Small-form-factor, duplex — modern default |
| SC | Square, push-pull — older but still common |
| ST | Bayonet — legacy multimode |
| FC | Threaded — labs, test equipment |
| MPO/MTP | Multi-fiber ribbon — 12/24/32 fiber — used for 40G/100G/400G parallel optics |
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