When two fiber optic cables are connected using an adapter, signal attenuation can occur due to misalignment or poor connections. When attenuation rises, you see reduced data speeds and higher error rates. It can also break your connection. It's measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km), and it determines how far a signal can travel before it becomes too weak to read. Pick good optical fiber and do not bend it sharply. This can occur due to a variety of factors, such as the length of the fiber, the quality of the fiber and adapter. This measurement helps determine the efficiency of a fiber optic system. Each factor plays a significant role in the overall performance of a network.