Hi everyone

I have trouble keeping my two Mikrotik switches connected. I am using two Mikrotik SFP+ RJ45 transceivers and it seems 70plus degrees doesn't really do them much good.

I have intermittent issues with the transceiver flapping on and offline.

So since this mothertruckers get so damn hot on sheer principle, I would think about going fiber. Only issue is this isn't an American home therefore brick walls with conduit and I have my doubts about laying double LC fiber. A single one would have a much smaller footprint. Half, obviously.

Are simplex transceivers only for singlemode long distance? Could I use them anyway with attenuators? If so what would be compatible with Mikrotik Switches? (cheap would be preferrable, obviously. I alread wasted about 150 bucks on the RJ45 transceivers...)

I would try and see if you can improve cooling of the SFP modules, some links/ideas in this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=202327
JFYI, cabling in normal conduits with fiber Is actually rather easy (easier than cat5/6) the real issue Is the fiber splicing (forget using pre-terminated fiber in conduits) the tools cost (still) a lot:
https://sschueller.github.io/posts/wiri ... ith-fiber/

Obviously if I run fiber without connectors then fiber is easier... But as you said, splicing. That's not something you normally do at home unlike crimping RJ45.

So my idea is just running patch cable. And that has a connector and two connectors don't fit in the conduit.


As for cooling, my CSS326 has cutouts in the sheet metal but I didn't find a connector. I'm not going to solder on it.

The CRS310 already has a 140mm fan slapped to it with a ginormous cutout. Funny enough, it's the CRS310 that is in the living room that seems to be the site that has issues. The CSS326 lives in the attic where I have no AC and that one seems to be running fine.

So yeah, no. If I want 10G between the switches, it's gonna be fiber. And I'm not gonna pay a specialist some hundred bucks to come here and splice one cable either.

Are simplex transceivers only for singlemode long distance? Could I use them anyway with attenuators?

If you get 10GBASE-BX-10 (10 km reach) modules you don't need attenuators, for them max Tx & max Rx are both 0.5 dBm so the transmitter won't overdrive the receiver even with a very short cable.

There are still mechanical connectors, even if they have a much greater loss than fusion splicing, if I get right your use case you will have two of them on the two sides of the fiber cable, so likely in total at the most 0.50 dB attenuation, very likely much less.

Example only:
https://www.anvimur.com/gb/optical-fibr ... scapc.html

A cleaver + stripper and other tools kit should be obtainable for less than100 - possibly even less than 50 - US$/Euro.

You will need a lot of patience and probably a number of failed attempts to get it right, but I believe it is doable at home.

Now that is an interesting concept @jaclaz

I'll have to see about availability around here.

You can find both connectors and kits on Amazon or e-bay and - if you have the patience to wait - on aliexpress for much less.
Just search for fiber cleaver kit.
I have no direct (hands on) experience with them but my electrician told me that he el-cheapo ones you can find work just like more expensive professional kits, if used correctly.
Again, example only:
https://www.ebay.it/itm/263837935293

Personally I just want to find something that does non APC LC connectors so I never have to remember to use special hardware