Media Converters are active devices that alter LAN traffic from one form of media to another. These pieces of equipment are able to do so by changing signals and using media such as copper cable and fiber cable. Converters are handy for those that would like to be able to upgrade their network systems but have the time or money.

A media converter has two media-dependent interfaces and can be installed wherever necessary within the network. Different types of media converters include Web Smart, Industrial Media Converters, 10 Base-T Media Converters, 10 Base-FL Media Converters, 10/100TX Switch Based Converters, 10/100FX Switch Based Converters, and Media Conversion Centers. These contrivances operate as physical layer devices. They allow networks to obtain data signals and then transfer them from one media to another.