Everyone said this was impossible - Backyard Fiber Run

The video documents an ambitious experiment to run a direct fibre optic link between two buildings in a backyard setup, challenging the conventional notion that a 100 gigabit connection must go through conventional commercial paths. The hosts begin by outlining the high cost of such a link, with quotes around $100,000 per year for similar connectivity, which sets the stage for a DIY, proof-of-concept approach. They introduce the main cable, a heavily armored fiber assembly with multiple fiber pairs, and discuss how many strands are actually inside, explaining the potential speeds that could be achieved with proper switching and transceivers. The plan involves threading the cable through a green belt between buildings, then into the lab, while weighing the logistical and safety hurdles, including the physical heaviness of the cable and the fragility of the terminated ends. The team repeatedly emphasizes that this is a proof of concept, not a long-term deployment, and they acknowledge the legal and practical caveats while focusing on the educational and entertainment value of pushing technology to the limit. Throughout the setup, they showcase the gear they plan to use, including a MikroTik CRS504-4XQ-IN switch and FS.com optics, and discuss how to manage power, attenuation, and link aggregation to reach higher speeds. By the end of the first major sprint, they reveal initial success in establishing a 100 gig connection and begin to experiment with higher throughputs, teasing the possibility of a 1.2 terabyte link should more aggressive configurations be deployed, while underscoring the experimental nature of the venture. With humor, camaraderie, and a healthy respect for the challenges, the hosts celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the road ahead, including potential improvements to cooling, cable management, and testing methodology. They also pause to reflect on the social dynamics of making such a project public, noting how viewers and neighbors react, and they reinforce the message that this is both a learning journey and an entertaining showcase of what is possible with accessible fiber technology.

Topics · science and technology · networking · hardware DIY · telecommunications