Hackers Turn Audio Cables into Long-Distance Data Links

Imagine turning an old audio cable into a data transmission line that stretches over 143 kilometers. That's exactly what two hackers achieved recently. At a tech gathering in Germany, one hacker showed how to extend Toslink optical audio cables way past their usual 10-meter limit. Another hacker, just the next day, used these cables to send IP data, creating a simple fiber optic network. Toslink cables are typically used for audio, but these hackers found a way to push them much further. They used a bunch of tech, like SFP ports and converters, to make it happen. The hackers even connected two data centers in London with a setup that included a fiber pair and a CWDM multiplexer.

The speeds weren't lightning-fast by today's standards, but the proof of concept was impressive. Manawyrm, one of the hackers, achieved around 1. 47 Mb/s, close to Toslink's max limit. This shows that with the right tweaks, old cables can be used for new purposes. While these experiments won't replace modern networking cables, they show how outdated tech can still have innovative uses. It's like finding hidden potential in something thought to be obsolete.

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