A fibre media converter can look like a straightforward purchase: one Ethernet port, one fibre connection and a power adapter. The difficult part is choosing a unit that works with the equipment and cable at the other end.
For a Kenyan ISP connecting a building, or a business extending its network between premises, a mistaken purchase can mean another site visit, replacement patch leads or a link that cannot carry the intended traffic. Start with a description of the complete connection before comparing individual boxes.
This guide explains what to record, how to compare two common converter designs and what to ask for in an equipment quote. Product details below come from manufacturer pages checked on 16 September 2026. Confirm the hardware revision offered locally: a regional product page is not evidence of Kenyan stock or the exact version a supplier will deliver.
1. Establish what kind of fibre connection you have
First ask whoever owns or installed the fibre: does this route carry point-to-point Ethernet, or does it belong to a passive optical network such as GPON?
An Ethernet media converter and a GPON optical network terminal are different equipment categories. GPON uses an optical line terminal, or OLT, with subscriber terminals that may need authentication and service profiles. TP-Link’s P1201-16 documentation, for example, lists ONU authentication and ONT profiles. A matching connector does not establish protocol compatibility. Reference: TP-Link P1201-16.
The buying implication is simple: do not replace a provider’s ONT with a generic Ethernet converter just because both accept a fibre lead. Ask the provider to identify the handoff and supported equipment first.
For your own point-to-point route, draw a short connection map. Include the switch or router at each end, any converters, patch panels and the installed fibre. Mark which components already exist and which ones the quote must supply. This prevents two people from independently ordering incompatible halves of the same link.
2. Specify the required speed before selecting a model
Write down the capacity needed across the link, including traffic shared by multiple users. A converter advertised as supporting long distances is not necessarily a high-speed converter.
The TP-Link MC112CS is a concrete example. Its manufacturer page specifies a 100 Mbps fibre interface and a 10/100 Mbps copper interface. It uses single-mode fibre and WDM to transmit and receive over one strand. It should not be selected for a link that needs more than 100 Mbps. Reference: MC112CS specifications.
Consider a hypothetical building link expected to carry 180 Mbps during a busy period. A 100 Mbps component cannot carry that demand in one direction. This is a capacity comparison, not a prediction of measured throughput; useful application throughput is also affected by protocol overhead and other equipment.
Record both the present requirement and the next likely upgrade. Ask the supplier to identify any component that would have to be replaced for that upgrade. Comparing the complete replacement path is more useful than choosing solely by the initial box price.
3. Decide between fixed optics and an SFP-based converter
With fixed optics, the optical interface is built into the converter. With an SFP-based design, a removable transceiver determines important optical characteristics.
TP-Link’s MC220L V4 page lists a 1000 Mbps SFP port and a 10/100/1000 Mbps copper port. It says the wavelength and maximum transmission distance depend on the installed SFP. Its package list includes the converter, power adapter and installation guide, but does not list an SFP. Ask the supplier to itemise the module rather than assume it is included. Reference: MC220L V4 specifications.
An SFP slot is not a universal compatibility promise. The module must suit the host, optical standard and far-end device. Copper auto-negotiation does not establish support for every optical speed.
For purchasing, compare complete assemblies: converter plus supported module, required patch lead and power supply. If the other end is a switch with an optical port, ask whether a supported transceiver can connect directly there. Do not automatically order two converters when the connection design may only need one.
4. Match transmit and receive wavelengths on single-fibre links
On a bidirectional single-fibre link, the two ends use complementary wavelengths. Record transmit as TX and receive as RX; those labels matter more than an informal description such as “the blue unit.”
The MC112CS manufacturer page specifies TX at 1310 nm and RX at 1550 nm. TP-Link identifies the MC111CS as a corresponding partner. The MC111CS V6 page specifies the reverse: TX at 1550 nm and RX at 1310 nm. References: MC112CS, MC111CS V6.
This illustrates why ordering two identical single-fibre units can be a mistake. Copy each end’s full model and wavelength directions into the purchase request. Matching wavelengths alone is still insufficient: speed, fibre type, optical power and host compatibility also need checking.
If you are replacing only one end, preserve a photograph or written record of the surviving unit’s label. A purchase request saying “replace media converter” leaves too much room for assumption. A request identifying the existing partner gives the supplier something concrete to check.
5. Record fibre type, connector shape and polish separately
Treat these as separate fields on the survey sheet:
- Fibre type: single-mode or multimode, with the cable designation where known.
- Available strands: how many are continuous and assigned to this connection.
- Connector format: for example, SC or LC at each termination.
- Connector polish: for example, UPC or APC at each mating interface.
Do not treat an adapter that accepts a connector as proof that its endface is suitable. Fluke Networks explains that UPC and APC endfaces should not be mated together; doing so can cause poor performance and damage. Reference: What is an APC Connector and How Do I Test It?.
A patch lead can have different connector formats or polishes at its two ends, provided each end correctly matches the interface it plugs into. That is different from forcing incompatible endfaces together at one connection.
For example, if a patch panel presents one connector type and the selected transceiver another, ask for a lead specified at both ends. Write out the complete requirement instead of ordering an unspecified “fibre patch cord.” If the installed fibre is undocumented, arrange identification before buying optics around a guess.
6. Treat distance as a starting point, then check optical loss
A route length helps narrow the equipment choice, but it does not describe every loss along the path. Connections, splices and other optical components contribute to the budget.
Cisco’s optical planning guidance describes a power budget that accounts for losses between transmitter and receiver. The practical requirement is to leave sufficient signal at the receiver, with an appropriate design margin. Do not copy a margin from an unrelated system without checking the requirements for your selected optics. Reference: Cisco Metro DWDM Design Example, Optical Power Budget.
Ask the installer or supplier to document the loss calculation and how the completed route will be measured. Request checks in both directions where the optical characteristics differ.
Too much received power can also be a problem. Cisco’s transceiver documentation includes model-specific attenuation requirements for certain long-reach optics on shorter links. This does not mean every short link needs an attenuator; it means the selected module’s receive limits must be checked. Reference: Cisco 10GBASE SFP+ Modules Data Sheet.
Avoid purchasing long-reach optics simply because a larger distance number appears more capable. Ask for equipment suited to the actual route and measured conditions.
7. Include power, mounting and maintenance in the quote
For a building installation, write down where each powered device will sit and who can access it. A converter tucked above a ceiling may be inconvenient to inspect or restart. A rooftop enclosure needs an assessment of conditions inside the enclosure, not just outdoor air temperature.
Ask for the exact operating limits of the offered hardware revision. Also request confirmation of the supplied power adapter, mounting arrangement, ventilation requirements and any enclosure needed for the location. These are procurement questions, not assumptions that every small converter is suitable outdoors.
Prepare a simple maintenance record containing the site label, device model, hardware revision, module model and which fibre strand it uses. Use labels such as “building distribution cupboard” and “office cabinet” so the technician can distinguish the two ends without relying on memory.
For an ISP maintaining several sites, ask whether a proposed spare will replace either end or only one specific optical role. A spare that cannot partner with the surviving equipment may not shorten the repair.
8. Agree on acceptance checks before installation day
A useful quote should explain what will count as a completed working link. Ask for a handover record rather than relying only on illuminated status lights.
Suggested acceptance items include:
- Exact installed models, revisions and transceiver identifiers.
- Connector inspection and any cleaning performed.
- Optical measurements compared with the selected equipment’s limits.
- Negotiated Ethernet speed at both ends.
- A local traffic test with its duration, direction and test equipment recorded.
- Verification of the intended service across the link, including VLANs where relevant.
Fluke Networks recommends inspecting connector endfaces and cleaning and reinspecting when needed before connection. New packaging or a dust cap is not a substitute for inspection. Use appropriate fibre inspection equipment; never look into a fibre or optical transmitter. Reference: Golden Rule of Fiber Inspection.
For the traffic test, agree on a method that distinguishes the local fibre link from the upstream internet connection. An internet speed test alone can be affected by the remote server and upstream service. Record the test limitations so the result remains useful when troubleshooting later.
9. Send a quote request that describes the whole job
Use this template as a starting point. Leave unknown fields clearly marked instead of filling them with estimates that look confirmed.
> We need an equipment quote for a point-to-point Ethernet fibre link between two locations in Kenya. Required capacity: ___. Approximate route length: ___. Existing devices and hardware revisions at both ends: ___. Installed fibre type: ___. Available strands: ___. Connector format and polish at each end: ___. Existing optical TX/RX details: ___. Installation environment and power arrangements: ___. Please itemise converters, compatible transceivers, patch leads, adapters and mounting accessories. Identify unresolved compatibility checks, proposed acceptance tests, availability, warranty terms, tax treatment and delivery charges to ___ county/town.
For a hypothetical office link, the request might specify 1 Gbps, an approximately 800-metre route and two documented single-mode strands, while marking connector polish as unconfirmed. Those details are a survey brief, not enough on their own to approve a final equipment list. Resolving the missing field is part of preparing the order.
Ask the supplier to flag substitutions explicitly. A similar product name should not silently replace the agreed optical interface, hardware revision or included module.
Your next step
Before ordering, complete one connection sheet for both ends of your route. Resolve the connection type, target capacity and existing optical details first.
CENTRANET’s shop product interface includes a Request quote control, and its quote form includes an Additional Requirements field. Put the completed brief there and ask for written confirmation of the complete compatible equipment list. Confirm availability and the delivered total before payment; a catalogue listing alone does not reserve equipment or verify your installation.
Keep that confirmed list with the installer’s handover record. It gives your next purchase or replacement a clear starting point.
Discuss your next step
Contact CENTRANET to discuss your network requirements before choosing equipment or changing a live service.