Splice a Fibre

(react-networks-lib.rackout.net)

33 points | by matt-p 2 hours ago

6 comments

  • ndom91 1 hour ago
    This would be a perfect plugin for Netbox! (https://github.com/netbox-community/netbox)
    • Already__Taken 1 hour ago
      I've always had stuff like this turned down by Netbox, they argue they want to model the logical topology as a source to trust, not the physicality, but then they model rack U placement. I'm always puzzled by their stance.

      Like you can't model 1 cat5 split into two 100mb terminations, patch panels are kinda of hack, I think you can now but forever you couldn't just swap a termination direction because logically why would you (but their UI gets messy when 44 are done A-B and the 45th B-A)

      Anyway that's thoughts as of maybe v2 or 3? Before the new UI when it was all jquery.

      • wkat4242 1 hour ago
        > Like you can't model 1 cat5 split into two 100mb terminations

        Ugh I don't really blame them there, that's really a dirty hack. Sure I've done in a pinch but not for permanent stuff.

        I wouldn't call that professional network management. If you really wanna do it, just split the pairs over two patch ports IMO.

        • bc569a80a344f9c 43 minutes ago
          One of the achievements in my career I’m lowkey proudest of is sneaking in the rewire of about 45,000 ports on a campus that were split pair after an explicit project to do so was shot down.
        • matt-p 32 minutes ago
          Of course, but a splitter in a PON network or a WDM device are perhaps better examples of things that are hacky to model. Multi-fibre cables and splices are another. Netbox is great for some simple applications, and it's fantastic OSS, but in practice falls short for many use cases.
      • pbh101 23 minutes ago
        Any links to PRs or discussions?
  • dtgriscom 22 minutes ago
    Are fiber splices really only a 0.02dB drop? That only a 0.23% reduction in signal (if I have my math right). Impressive.
    • matt-p 11 minutes ago
      That is probably the very best case scenario, but possible yes. Typically you'd accept anything less than 0.1dB.
  • candiddevmike 50 minutes ago
    I was a fiber installer once upon a time in the 00s. A guy I worked with who was "the splicer" for our team and has years of experience using the little easy bake oven thing swore by going off the smell to know when it's "ready". Probably not the greatest thing for your health considering he did at least 10-12 of these a day.
    • Sesse__ 45 minutes ago
      Modern fiber splicers are fully automatic, so you don't need to smell :-) The only thing that's still mostly by hand is the cutting (mostly stripping away the various layers of insulation).
  • maartenh 1 hour ago
    Nice! You might want to fix your GitHub link in the footer though, it 404's for me right now :)
    • matt-p 47 minutes ago
      Thanks! Sorry, looks like I made the repo private at some point I'll take a look later but for now I've fixed the link.
  • zwnow 2 hours ago
    We were splicing some fiberglass in job training a few years back and it was honestly pretty cool! The website is also really nice, I remember seeing the color codes on the splicing machine. Mesmerizing piece of technology.
    • matt-p 1 hour ago
      Definitely mesmerising the first time! We have ribbon fibre these days as well which is very cool too.

      Thank you :)