{
  "id": 17870669,
  "title": "Can’t fish Ethernet? Use “invisible” fiber instead",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/cant-fish-ethernet-use-invisible-fiber-instead",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-02T21:42:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hacker News",
    "slug": "hacker-news",
    "url": "https://momandpop.network/2026/11/02/cant-fish-ethernet-use-invisible-fiber-instead/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "My family, who reside in a NYC townhouse, encountered an issue with one of their Cat6 cables, which had degraded performance to 100 Mbps. This was disappointing, as their switch and access point supported speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps. They initially considered using mesh technology on HPE AP25 access points, but found that performance was similarly limited to 120 Mbps in similar, thin-walled homes. They also desired VLAN segmentation, which a standard consumer Eero or Orbi device would not support.\n\nTo remedy this issue, the family opted for \"invisible\" fiber optic cables designed for apartment retrofits, a solution that allows them to bypass any landlord or HOA complaints. These \"invisible\" fiber cables were available on platforms such as Amazon and AliExpress, catering to those who live in rentals or prefer not to fish cables through walls. The endpoints of the fiber loop were attached to the 20m/60ft section. Instead of investing in an SFP+ switch, the family repurposed an unused MikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN switch, which, despite being technically copper 10G, proved to be a more cost-effective solution as it would otherwise generate excessive heat.\n\nTo connect the fiber to the existing infrastructure, the family employed a pair of bidirectional SC SFP+ transceivers, housed within media converters. These converters featured the same SC connectors that are commonly found in PON networks. Although the exact standards used by these SFP+ transceivers were unclear, the family assumed they were proprietary. While the media converters utilized copper components, the alternative would have been to replace the existing switch, a decision the family deemed undesirable.\n\nThe family opted to use included adhesive to secure the fiber in place, preferring this method over supergluing, which would complicate future removal. The choice to use UPC fiber types, compatible with their transceivers, allowed for a seamless integration with their existing infrastructure. The family confirmed that their MacBook connected via the new \"fiber in the home\" loop was functioning correctly. While the area is still lacking fiber-to-the-home infrastructure, the family was satisfied with their DIY solution to the problematic Cat6 cable. Even without multi-Gigabit speeds, the family achieved a remarkable ~300 Mbps connection, proving that fiber optic technology remains invaluable in home networking, especially when DIY solutions are desired.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}