The Intellinet Network Solutions Gigabit Industrial Media Converter offers the network designer a device for migration from copper-based Ethernet to Fiber Ethernet. Now, migration or expansion of existing networks can be achieved with minimum cost and complexity. The converter is completely transparent to the network, so the network performs exactly the way it did before, only now it can support both copper and fiber media. It provides fiber connectivity to Ethernet segments, allowing for even greater networking expansion between extended workgroups. It also provides building-to-building connectivity without the need for the cost and disruption associated with the installation of additional routers.