Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of working on AV over IP installations in various theaters and cultural institutions. Some of these systems have been running almost continuously for 6 to 7 years now. What caught my attention: at several locations, we began to see failures in fiber-optic connections over time. Not due to broken cables or visible damage, but subtle issues—flapping links, intermittent errors, and modules that seemed to lose optical power.
This raised an important question: Do fibre-optic modules wear out faster in AV over IP networks than in traditional IT environments? And if so, what can we do about it?
That question sparked a deep investigation, documented in my report titled Obsolescence of fiber optic modules in AV over IP networks. Because the topic is broad and highly relevant for AV technicians, network administrators, and system integrators, I decided to break the report down into a series of accessible blog posts. Each post addresses a distinct aspect of the issue, providing practical advice and real-world insights.
Topics in this Blog Series:
- Why AV over IP puts more strain on fiber modules
→ The unique characteristics of AV networks and their impact on hardware.
- What types of fiber modules exist, and how do they differ in wear sensitivity?
→ From SFP to QSFP28: an overview of types, applications, and lifespan.
- How do fiber modules wear out?
→ Laser diodes, thermal stress, duty cycles, and environmental factors explained.
- Why AV over IP can accelerate module ageing
→ High data rates, constant load, and less-than-ideal installation environments.
- Maintenance and monitoring: extend your module’s lifespan
→ Cooling, cleaning, DDM/DOM monitoring, and fault analysis.
- Replacement strategies and life-cycle management
→ Preventive replacement, documentation, rotation, and quality choices.
- Best practices and conclusions for AV networks
→ Design principles, signs of wear, and how to prevent downtime.
This series, spanning the next seven weeks, aims to raise awareness and provide actionable guidance. While fiber technology is robust, the intensive nature of AV over IP demands extra attention. By correctly monitoring modules, making informed choices, and replacing them on time, we can prevent failures and enjoy stable AV streams for years to come.
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