There's a reason why this type of manual switch continues to be the switch of choice for networking professionals everywhere: The tried-and-true optical switches perform as promised year after year.

It's reliable because it uses micro-mirrors instead of electronics to route data signals from one fiber optic port to the next. And unlike conventional electronic switches, it is not complex and vulnerable electronic circuits to monitor and protect from intrusion, component failure, or interference.

The switch is available in latching and non-latching models. The optical mirror movement on the latching versions maintain the selected position even when there's a power failure.

You can also order an A/B switch with unique loopback capabilities. Using loopbacks, you can verify the integrity of your backup fiber link while still connected to your primary fiber link. This is especially useful in failover applications where you want to continuously test the "unused" circuit to ensure that it's available if needed.