A Sandia engineer examines fiber optics in a cable box. Technicians at Sandia National Laboratory have strung miles of half-inch fiber-optic cables between 13,000 network ports in 265 buildings to construct the largest fiber-optic LAN in the world. The cables, consisting of 288 fibers, replace 4-in. copper cables and provide more secure and reliable capacity that is less expensive to maintain and operate. It is estimated the LAN will save $20 million over five years and reduce energy use for communications by 65%.
