Fiber optics
 

What exactly are fiber optics and how are they connected to a computer? Is it just through an ethernet jack? What is the advantage?

Fiber optics transmits a signal using lasers via a glass filament instead of a metal wire. You can transmit at higher frequencies. I don't know if you are referring to fiber generally or a fibre channel. The latter is a fiber optic protocol for connecting drives via fiber as if they were scsi drives.

There are two types of fiber, multichannel and center channel. One type of fiber can transmit over 20KM lengths.

You could probably learn a lot more going to Wikipedia. It's coverage on technology is excellent.

thanks! I'll look into that...

So can you use it for internet? And how is it connected to a computer?

Fiber optics is not directly connected to the pc, and actually if you have a FIOS connection, which I do have, you are connected through a router, and the router is either on coax or just plain ethernet, which is connected to a box outside the house.. see FTTPS (Fiber to the premesis) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTTP , service usually offered by verizon in the states.

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also the minimum speed offered, 5mbps down, 2mbps up, greatly surpasses t-1 :D

So is it hard to set up? And is it worth it?

Setup is done by the technicians that come to the house and connect your home to the line. Once the line is in place, if there is an available coax outlet, then they will supply a high freq. splitter, that way you can use the same line for both internet and tv, essentially like a cable tv/cable internet. Fiber optics even though it still uses coax cable in the home, the actual connection from the station to the outside of the house, is fiber, but inside it makes use of the existing coax cable. Once the physical connection is made (pc to router), the tech must configure the router, and I have poked around the router a bit, it is NOT a linksys or netgear or d-link. The interface is much different, and a lot of options, and I have accidently knocked myself offline, and had to call tech support, :D heehe, whoops.

Anyways, the router provided by verizon is an actiontec router, utilizing MoCa, again, see this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multime..._Coax_Alliance

Also, this is what the router looks like, from actiontec's site itself: http://www.actiontec.com/company_inf...res_photos.php , go down until you see Wireless Broadband Router (MI424WR) , which is the router used in verizon's fiber optic services

And is it worth it? I think, since I had to get away from time warner. Fiber is a bit cheaper in my opionion, and just as fast for 10$ less, and you at least get a much faster upload rate.

mm, OK, then I probably can't get it. I live in the country, with no one else within Internet a square mile from me. OH WELL...bummer

Have you considered satellite? Usually that can be offered to more rural areas.

well, I have Embarq 'high speed' internet. And it is pretty fast, I just wanted something more reliable/fast.