StarTech ET91000SM10 Gigabit Ethernet to Single-Mode LC Fiber Media Converter

Overview

The StarTech ET91000SM10 is a 1000BASE-T to 1000BASE-LX media converter that bridges copper Ethernet infrastructure to single-mode LC duplex fiber — extending a Gigabit Ethernet connection up to 10 km (6.2 mi) without repeaters or additional amplification. If you're running fiber between buildings across a campus, connecting a remote IP camera cluster to a central NVR, or linking a warehouse annex to a main distribution frame, this converter handles that span where copper simply can't reach. For more options in the fiber media converter category, browse the full selection.

The ET91000SM10 operates on IEEE 802.3ab (1000BASE-T) on the copper side and IEEE 802.3z (1000BASE-LX) on the fiber side, making it a standards-compliant hand-off point between your switching infrastructure and single-mode fiber plant. It ships as a standalone unit with an integrated power supply accepting 100–240V AC — no external brick required in most deployments.

Key Features

• 10 km Single-Mode Fiber Reach: The 1310nm wavelength over LC duplex single-mode fiber delivers a full 10 km (6.2 mi) extension — critical for inter-building links on large campuses or industrial sites where running copper beyond ~100m isn't an option. That's the kind of distance that covers most multi-building security or IT backbone scenarios without a second hop.
• True 1 Gbps Throughput: Full 1000 Mbps bandwidth is preserved end-to-end, so this converter doesn't become a bottleneck in front of your network video recorders or high-density switch stacks. You're not stepping down to 100 Mbps to gain the distance.
• Jumbo Frame Support up to 9.6K MTU: Supporting jumbo frames at 9.6KB max MTU means large video payloads, bulk storage transfers, and high-throughput backup traffic pass through without fragmentation overhead — a practical advantage when aggregating multiple HD camera streams or syncing large files across the fiber link.
• Half and Full-Duplex Operation: The ET91000SM10 supports both half- and full-duplex modes, giving you compatibility across a wider range of connected switches and NICs, including older infrastructure you may not be replacing in a phased upgrade.
• Steel Enclosure: The all-steel housing resists physical damage in rack-edge or utility-room installs where plastic-bodied converters tend to crack or deform. At 14.5 oz (411g) and 5.5 × 3.5 × 0.9 in, it's compact enough for shelf or surface mounting without dedicated rack space.
• Wide AC Input Range (100–240V): The integrated power supply handles global voltage ranges, which matters for international deployments or sites with non-standard power. Input current draw is 0.48A at full load, making it compatible with standard branch circuits without any load planning concerns.
• 0–50°C Operating Range: Rated for 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F) operation, the ET91000SM10 handles typical controlled indoor environments — IDF closets, server rooms, utility cabinets. It's not rated for outdoor or extreme-temperature use without an enclosure.
• Standards Compliance (IEEE 802.3ab / 802.3z): Dual-standard compliance on both the copper and fiber interfaces means clean interoperability with any 1000BASE-T switch port on one side and any 1000BASE-LX fiber switch or SFP on the other — no vendor lock-in on either end.

Integration and Compatibility

The ET91000SM10 connects to any PoE or non-PoE Gigabit switch via its RJ-45 copper port on the local side, and to single-mode LC duplex fiber on the remote side. The fiber side requires a matching 1000BASE-LX interface — either another ET91000SM10 acting as the remote unit, or a compatible SFP transceiver installed in a managed switch at the far end. Ensure the remote device is also rated for 1310nm single-mode at 10 km; mismatching wavelengths or fiber type (multi-mode versus single-mode) will prevent link establishment.

Jumbo frame support at 9.6K MTU requires that both the connected switch and end devices also have jumbo frames enabled — MTU mismatches between segments cause packet drops that are easy to misdiagnose. Confirm end-to-end MTU settings before relying on jumbo frame performance in production. For planning fiber runs in physical security deployments, the network cabling and fiber planning guide covers common pitfalls in structured cabling design.

Storage temperature tolerance extends to -10°C to 70°C (14°F to 158°F), so units can be staged or warehoused in unheated environments before installation. Humidity tolerance is 10–90% RH non-condensing — avoid enclosures or spaces with condensation risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What fiber type does the ET91000SM10 require?

A: The ET91000SM10 requires single-mode fiber with LC duplex connectors. It operates at 1310nm and is not compatible with multi-mode fiber. Using multi-mode fiber will prevent link establishment.

Q: Does the ET91000SM10 need a separate power supply?

A: No. The unit includes an integrated power supply that accepts 100–240V AC input at 0.48A, delivering 12V DC at 1.6A output. Total power consumption is 19.2 watts. No external adapter is required.

Q: What is the maximum fiber distance supported by the ET91000SM10?

A: The ET91000SM10 supports a maximum single-mode fiber extension distance of 10 km (6.2 miles) at 1310nm wavelength over LC duplex single-mode fiber.

Q: Does the ET91000SM10 support jumbo frames?

A: Yes. The ET91000SM10 supports jumbo frames up to 9.6KB MTU. Both the connected switch and end devices must also have jumbo frames enabled for the feature to function correctly end-to-end.

Q: What is the operating temperature range of the ET91000SM10?

A: The operating temperature range is 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F). For storage, the unit tolerates -10°C to 70°C (14°F to 158°F). It is intended for controlled indoor environments.

Q: What is the warranty on the ET91000SM10?

A: The ET91000SM10 carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Karl Wilson

The ET91000SM10 is the converter I reach for when a project calls for bridging a copper Gigabit switch port to a single-mode fiber run that's too long for anything but 1000BASE-LX — specifically that 10 km ceiling at 1310nm over LC duplex single-mode. It's a straightforward unit that does exactly what the IEEE 802.3z spec calls for, and the integrated 100–240V AC power supply means one less external adapter to manage in a crowded IDF closet.

Technical Highlights:

• 10 km at 1310nm: Full 10 km reach on single-mode LC fiber is the core value here — no repeaters needed across campus-scale distances, and 1000BASE-LX at this wavelength is well-supported by fiber plant installed in the last two decades.
• 9.6K Jumbo Frame MTU: The 9.6KB MTU ceiling keeps large video payloads and bulk transfers intact without fragmentation — relevant when this converter is sitting in front of a high-bitrate camera aggregation switch feeding an NVR over fiber.
• Steel Construction at 14.5 oz: The steel enclosure at 411g holds up in utility closets and rack-edge installs where lighter plastic units get knocked around. Small enough (5.5 × 3.5 × 0.9 in) to sit on a shelf without consuming a rack unit.

Deployment Considerations:

• The remote fiber endpoint must also be a 1000BASE-LX interface rated for 10 km at 1310nm — either a matching converter or an LX SFP in a managed switch. A mismatch in wavelength or fiber mode kills the link immediately and can waste hours of troubleshooting if the remote end isn't confirmed first.
• Operating temperature tops out at 50°C (122°F) — adequate for a climate-controlled IDF or server room, but not for an outdoor or unventilated enclosure in summer. If the install location runs hot, verify ambient temps before commissioning.

For a university campus security upgrade where IP cameras in a remote parking structure need to reach a central monitoring station over an existing single-mode fiber backbone — and copper simply can't bridge that distance — the ET91000SM10 is the right tool: standards-compliant, no external power brick, and a 10 km reach that covers the run without a second hop.