Switch – Interconnecting a fiber optic switch with a copper switch

In theory it is as simple as you describe. The problem you will run into is that you need to join two pieces of fiber. In practice you have two options for this:

1. Mechanical splicing. You use a special clamp to join the parts togeather. Gives high losses, but considering your short distance it is an alternative.
2. Fusion splicing. You use a large and expensive machine to melt the fiber and combine it.

Also, getting the fiber in there will probably be a challenge. Fiber might be smaller and easier to bend, but it is also more fragile than cat 6.

My recommendation would be to ask your local fiber company to built it for you. They have specialized equipment to get fiber into complicated ducts, the equipment to splice it properly and will be able to provide you with a measurement protocol at the end that shows that the fiber actually works. Around here I would expect to pay perhaps $1000 for the job of running a fiber through an existing duct between floors, including pigtails at the end that are fixed in existing racks.

While Ethernet runs should extend up to 330 feet, as you've found many pieces of cheap equipment don't meet that specification. The most reliable solution you'll find here is to run fiber from one building to the next. It provides inherent galvanic isolation, so there's no need for surge suppressors (which probable don't work the way you think they do in the first place) or any potential attenuation problems.

If your current gear can accept GBIC/SFP/SFP+ fiber modules, that will be the cheapest and most flexible route. Media converters tend to be of cheaper quality, and I avoid them at all costs.

Be careful to get modules rated for your applications:

• Distance: Your application is 100m, easily covered by any fiber. There are different distance ratings however. Multi-Mode fiber is can cover 220m or 550m depending on module (SX and LX respectively). Single-Mode fiber covers 10km, 40km, to 80km (LX, EX, and ZX respectively).
• Connectors: Will depend on the module. Most GBIC modules use SC. Most SFPs use LC. Some patch panels use ST and there are others less commonly.
• Fiber Type: For your run you'll want OM2 50/125 µm Multi-Mode Fiber (It's orange, and very easy to find; especially with connectors already attached). In 2015 it should cost <$200 for the fiber, installation will likely be much more. If you wanted to use Single-Mode, both OS1 and OS2 are rated for the same speed at the same distances. The difference is in their materials and completely unimportant for short runs (people installing long runs should know the difference, if they don't it's time to find a new contractor).

Get two identical modules, do not mix and match unless they're being provided by an expert who has a guarantee, worth more than the paper it's written on, that they'll work together.