StarTech F35023-USB-EXTENDER USB 3.0 Fiber Optic Extender

Overview

The StarTech F35023-USB-EXTENDER pushes USB 3.0 connectivity up to 350 meters (1,150 ft) over OM3 multimode LC-to-LC optical fiber — bridging the gap between control rooms and remote endpoints that copper simply cannot reach. With two USB 3.0 ports at full 5 Gbps throughput, this extender suits deployments where high-bandwidth USB peripherals — industrial cameras, capture devices, storage arrays, or biometric readers — need to live far from the host computer without sacrificing protocol speed or link reliability. The compact 3.7 × 2.2 × 1.1 in footprint means it installs cleanly in equipment bays, cable-termination enclosures, or on DIN-rail shelves without consuming rack space.

Key Features

• 350m Range over OM3 Fiber: At 1,150 ft, this extender covers distances that would demand a completely different architecture using copper — think camera head-end to a distant MDF, or a secure enrollment kiosk back to a central processing server. OM3 multimode fiber is widely installed in enterprise and campus infrastructure, so you may already have the cabling in place.
• 5 Gbps USB 3.0 Throughput: Full SuperSpeed USB 3.0 bandwidth is preserved end-to-end. This matters if you're extending high-resolution USB cameras, fast storage devices, or any peripheral that saturates USB 2.0's 480 Mbps ceiling. No protocol downgrade, no throttled link.
• Dual USB 3.0 Ports (Remote End): Two host-side or device-side ports mean you can connect two USB peripherals at the remote terminus — useful for pairing a camera with a local storage device, or a reader with a display adapter, without adding a downstream hub.
• LC-to-LC Optical Interface: LC duplex connectors are the standard in structured cabling environments. If your fiber plant is already terminated with LC connectors — common in data centers, corporate campuses, and large facilities — this extender drops in without re-termination.
• 15W Power Consumption, 5V/3A Output: The 5 VDC, 3 A power output (15 W max) provides enough bus power to drive most standard USB devices at the remote end. This eliminates the need for separately powered USB hubs at the remote location in many deployments — one fewer device to manage and power.
• 0°C to 50°C Operating Range: Suitable for conditioned equipment rooms, server closets, and indoor control environments. Not rated for harsh outdoor or unheated space deployment — plan accordingly and keep the extender units within tempered enclosures if the ambient approaches the ceiling.
• Compact, Low-Profile Enclosure: At 9.6 oz and 3.7 × 2.2 × 1.1 in, both the local and remote units fit into tight spaces. Surface mount, shelf mount, or bracket-mount options apply depending on your termination enclosure — the small footprint does not restrict placement.

Integration & Compatibility

The F35023-USB-EXTENDER (often searched as F35023 USB EXTENDER) operates transparently at the USB 3.0 protocol layer — the host operating system sees a native USB connection, which means no special drivers are required on either end for the extension link itself. Peripheral drivers install normally. This makes it compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux hosts running standard USB 3.0 stacks.

For security integrators, this extender is a practical solution when USB-based enrollment stations, access control readers, or surveillance peripherals need to be physically separated from computing infrastructure for security zoning or facility layout reasons. The fiber medium provides galvanic isolation between segments, which also eliminates ground-loop issues common in long copper USB runs.

Pair this with a managed fiber optic networking infrastructure for clean signal distribution across floors or buildings. If your deployment involves USB-connected IP cameras or capture cards feeding a network video recorder, this extender can bridge the distance between the capture device and the processing host. For PoE-powered camera runs, review our PoE switches guide to handle the camera side, while this unit handles the USB control or storage link separately. See the full StarTech connectivity catalog for complementary fiber and USB infrastructure components, and consult our fiber cabling selection guide if you need help matching OM3 patch cords to your existing plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What fiber type does the F35023-USB-EXTENDER require?

A: It requires OM3 multimode fiber with LC connectors (LC-to-LC). OM3 is a 50/125 µm multimode fiber rated for 10 Gbps at up to 300m and 1 Gbps at longer distances — the extender is designed specifically for this fiber grade to support its 350m USB 3.0 extension range.

Q: Does the extender support USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 devices at the remote end?

A: USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices. Devices operating at lower USB standards will negotiate to their native speed — they will function, but will not exceed their own protocol ceiling.

Q: What is the power requirement and does it power the remote USB devices?

A: The unit outputs 5 VDC at up to 3 A (15 W total). This provides bus power to connected USB devices at the remote end, which eliminates the need for a separately powered hub in many single-peripheral deployments. High-draw devices that exceed this budget will require their own power source.

Q: What is the warranty on the F35023-USB-EXTENDER?

A: StarTech provides a 2-year manufacturer warranty on this product.

Q: Can the F35023-USB-EXTENDER be used in outdoor or harsh environments?

A: The operating temperature range is 0°C to 50°C with 20–80% relative humidity (non-condensing). It is not rated for outdoor installation or unheated/uncooled environments. Both extender units should be installed in climate-controlled enclosures or equipment rooms.

Q: Does the extender require special drivers or software?

A: No special drivers are required for the extension link itself. The extender operates transparently at the USB 3.0 protocol layer — the host sees a standard USB connection. Peripheral device drivers install as normal.

Eden Phillips

The F35023-USB-EXTENDER solves a specific, recurring problem in physical security and AV-over-fiber deployments: getting full 5 Gbps USB 3.0 connectivity 350 meters away from the host, over OM3 multimode fiber that's already in the ceiling. I see this come up most often in large-campus enrollment station builds, where biometric capture hardware sits at a remote kiosk but the processing server lives in a locked IDF or MDF room — copper USB maxes out around 5 meters without active extension, making fiber the only practical answer at these distances.

Technical Highlights:

• 350m OM3 Fiber Range: Covers full floor-to-MDF distances in mid-to-large buildings. At 1,150 ft, you're reaching across most enterprise floor plates without a repeater in the path.
• 5 Gbps Full SuperSpeed: No protocol downgrade — USB 3.0 throughput is preserved end-to-end, which matters for high-resolution USB capture devices or fast peripheral storage that would saturate a USB 2.0 extension alternative.
• 5V/3A Bus Power at Remote End: The 15W output handles most single USB peripherals without requiring a separately powered hub at the remote terminus — reducing both device count and cabling complexity at the kiosk or camera mount location.

Deployment Considerations:

• Both local and remote units must stay within 0°C to 50°C — plan for conditioned enclosures in any space that sees heating or cooling extremes, including unfinished utility corridors in northern climates.
• The dual-port remote end is useful, but the combined 15W power budget applies across both ports — high-draw devices sharing the remote end may need external power to avoid under-voltage behavior.

This extender is the right call for secure enrollment kiosk deployments, campus-wide USB camera distribution over existing OM3 fiber plants, and any scenario where a USB 3.0 peripheral must be physically separated from its host by more than copper can handle — specifically in facilities where LC-terminated OM3 infrastructure is already in place.