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 fiber-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 covers a specific aspect of the issue, offering practical tips 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 aging
→ 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 lifecycle 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 for the coming 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 monitoring modules properly, making smart choices, and replacing them in time, we can prevent failures and enjoy stable AV streams for years to come.
To the Next Chapter next chapter of this blog.
Eric Lindeman, NETGEAR ProAV Staff Systems Engineer Benelux
For more information about NETGEAR AV Switching, please contact the NETGEAR Pro AV Design Team via email: ProAVdesign@netgear.com
If you’d like to delve deeper into AV over IP switching, I invite you to check out our Online Academy via the link: https://academy.netgear.com/
On our training portal, you can find both AV and IT-related training courses. These courses are free to attend after registration, and at the end of each course, you can take an exam to earn a certificate.
