TRENDnet TFC-1000MSC Multi-Mode Fiber Converter with SC-Type Connector 1 Gbps 1x 1000Base-T, 1x 1000Base-SX

Pros: works at gig speed

Cons: requires a gig device will not auto negotiate to 100meg, if you arre crossing to a device set on 100 meg you need to put a switch in between

Pros: Reasonable price. Easy to connect; nothing to really configure. Connection came up on both ends immediately.

Cons: None for me.

Overall Review: Used these to replace a pair of 100Mbps converters over about 900 ft of multi-mode fiber. Now have a 1000Mbps backbone between our two buildings.

Pros: Excellent product for long runs. Buy fiber cheap on-line and extend your network for peanuts.

Cons: None

Pros: Works as advertised

Cons: Lacking in status LEDs. Instead of a link status LED for fiber as well as ethernet, there is only a single link LED that lights up once both sides have ethernet connected AND fiber connected between the devices. Makes troubleshooting any connection issues very difficult.

Overall Review: If I had to buy another fiber converter, I'd pick some of the others that are similarly priced but would make troubleshooting connection issues much easier.

Pros: Affordable option for low budget customers. These work with the legacy GBIC modules on Cisco 3508-XL-EN switches. Great for extending networks without using 5 Ghz wireless bridges. You can connect up to 7 separate fiber runs with a 3508 and use these (one 1000Base-TX must be used to core)

Cons: You must use a gigabit switch like a netgear 5 port to connect to a 100 mbit access point or device. It will not autonegotiate.

Overall Review: You should consider these if you are providing low budget solutions to customers that want to use 50/125 fiber optic SC connectors

Pros: Inexpensive media converter for cheap fiber connection.

Cons: None

Overall Review: sciguy's review is incorrect. The media converter never lists 62.5µm as being capable of 550m of 1000BASE-SX, The printed specifications on the box say "1000Base-SX: 50/125µm Multi-Mode Fiber Optic Cable, Up to 550m. 62.5/125µm Multi-Mode Fiber Optic Cable, Up to 220m."

Pros: Easy to install, plug in and play. Just make sure you plug in the correct fiber side first ie Rx and Tx. It took a few times of pluging in and unplugging to get it to come up.

Cons: I does not respond to a loop back. Some Gbic will give you a link light when you run a loop back test. This did not. Really not a con but it helps when your trying to trouble shoot.

Pros: Cheap, no settings required. It DOES have two DIP switches to control LRR (link retry) and TX negotiation. You have to open the case (just the big thumbscrew on the front) and use the product manual (PDF from trendnet.com) to set them. Defaults are for TX autonegotiate and LRR off.

Cons: Cheap, no settings possible. There are two lights: Power and Link/ACT. Power works all the time, but Link/ACT only lights up when the unit has a solid fiber signal AND ethernet link at both ends. The link light on the switch doesn't come on until the fiber connection is good. If there's anything wrong, you have no indication what the problem is (fiber, patch cable, switch).

Overall Review: I bought 4 of these, intending to replace 4 10/100 units with existing fiber. The existing units work fine. When installing the new units, one link came up and works great at gigabit speed. The other link will not start no matter what I try. On one unit, the link light never lights. On the other, the link light comes on when the opposite end is powered on. It goes solid, blinks rapidly a couple times, solid, then off and stays off. No link. The old 10/100 units (SFC-100SC) have lots of lights to indicate what's going on, so it's easy to tell whether it's the NIC or the fiber. The cable is 62.5/125 and the link is about 320m. That's too far for that cable, I know, but the old units work just fine. I've swapped the new units around and tried them all on the working link -- they all work. So I guess I'll be sending these back and trying to find some that will work with my over-distance run.