The gist of my question:

• What is a "fiber optic" switch called?
  • I.E. a layer 2 ethernet switch that uses fiber TX and RX connections and sends layer 2 network traffic between the fiber strands that are connected.
• Can someone purchase a dedicated fiber switch that does not have copper ethernet ports?
• What is the current average price of a device like this?
  • Not necessarily looking for product endorsements, just information
  • Might not make sense to go this route if it is too cost prohibitive
• What type of fiber connector is used for terminating a fiber strand into a jack on the wall?
  • Can fiber be "patched" using two jacks and a "patch" cable?
  • Is signal loss a concern with the longest runs at 100-200ft, a patch cable and media converters?

The full story:

My parents had unterminated fiber optic cable and terminated Cat5e run throughout their home when it was built in 2004. 10 years later the Cat5e isn't providing the throughput that my father needs to accomplish multiple streams of HD and fast system backups throughout the house. He can't reach gigabit speeds across the distance of the Cat5e runs.

We are both interested in terminating the fiber connections and using them as high speed "backbones" to copper switches in each room of the house. It would be easy to attain gigabit speeds (or better, eventually) using the fiber.

I have searched and searched for a "fiber optic switch" or "fiber optic router" and cannot find the correct term to describe this piece of hardware. We can use fiber media converters at the end points of each connection, however it would be nice to have a "patch panel" set up in the network closet in the basement that has fiber connections on it and switches the ethernet streams between the connections/systems in the house.

Each fiber media converter costs between $50-$100 a piece... After 10 or so terminated connections it might make sense to find a piece of hardware that does not require media converters. That would depend upon the cost of this hardware

Somewhat unrelated, if we are able to route between these fiber strands successfully, what is the physical connector type used in a jack on the wall? Just like RJ45 has a wall outlet (depicted below):

What is the fiber optic equivalent of this? In the interim could we "patch" a couple fiber strands together in the network closet? Would signal loss be of concern with a run length of 100-200 feet, a patch cable and two media converters? If that would work then it could be used until the funds are available for more.