Note: The no shutdown command is mandatory to bring the fiber interface up.

| Aspect | Media Converter | Switch with SFP | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Layer 1 (Physical) | Layer 2 (Data Link) | | Configuration | None (Plug-and-play) | Requires VLAN, STP, or IP config | | Cost (Real world) | Low ($50-$200) | High ($500+) | | Use Case | Simple point-to-point extension | Network aggregation, segmentation | | In Packet Tracer | Excellent for simple distance extension | Better for managed fiber networks |

Does Cisco Packet Tracer Have a Specific "Media Converter" Icon?

If you need a fiber-copper boundary, use a switch without an IP address and disable spanning tree if you want pure pass-through (though not strictly necessary).