Frequently asked questions about single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cables

1. Are single-mode and multi-mode technologies produced at the same time? Which one is more advanced?

Multimode can't talk about which is more advanced. Generally, multimode is used for short distances, and only single mode is used for far distances, because multimode fiber transceivers are much cheaper than single mode ones. So, it is not to say that one of them is better and more advanced, but to choose different fiber optic cables according to different needs.

2. Is the fiber used in servers and storage devices single-mode or multi-mode?

Most of them use multimode.

3. Single-mode fiber is used for long-distance transmission, and multi-mode fiber is used for indoor data transmission, right?

Only single-mode can be used for long distances, but multi-mode is not necessarily required for indoor data transmission.

4. Do optical fibers have to be used in pairs? Is there any equipment such as single-hole single-mode fiber signal converters?

Whether optical fibers have to be used in pairs. This is the case with China Telecom's 1600G backbone optical fiber network.

Recently, a friend asked these questions, so I recorded them by the way, hoping to help friends in need.