What is a benefit of using older fiber designs with a 50/125 micron core?

The selection of the benefit related to higher bandwidth with laser sources is based on the optical characteristics of fibers with a 50/125 micron core. This type of multimode fiber is designed to accommodate light signals emitted from laser sources, which effectively utilize the larger core diameter to enable a higher transmission bandwidth compared to older multimode fibers that might have a larger core but less capability to handle high-speed laser transmissions.

In practical terms, when using lasers in communications, the light can travel further and maintain signal integrity better in these fibers, making them more suitable for modern networking applications that require higher data rates over longer distances. This is essential in environments where bandwidth demands are increasing with technological advancements, such as data centers or high-speed networks.

While lower installation cost, better thermal insulation, and increased flexibility are considerations for cabling and fiber optics, they do not directly relate to the capabilities and advantages offered by a 50/125 micron fiber when paired with laser sources. Therefore, the focus on bandwidth when using laser technology underscores the strengths of this older fiber design in today's networking scenarios.