Technical Guide   7 min read

OM4 vs OM5: Choosing Multimode Fiber for 100G and Beyond

Wavelength-division multimode, SWDM4 readiness and where OM5 actually pays for itself in short-reach 100G and 400G links.

Plan your network requirements

Evaluate the required data rate, link distance, fiber type and equipment compatibility together. Confirm connector types and the optical budget before selecting the components for your link.

Validate before deployment

Inspect and clean the fiber end faces, check the module compatibility on your target platform and verify link stability under traffic. Keep a record of the final configuration for future maintenance.