<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our reports (a) dated May 30, 2000, with respect to the combined
financial statements of Stratos Lightwave, Inc. for the three years in the
period ended April 30, 2000 and (b) dated March 10, 2000 with respect to the
financial statements of Polycore Technologies, Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 1998, included in the Registration Statement, Form S-1 and
related Prospectus of Stratos Lightwave, Inc. dated June 22, 2000.
Ernst & Young
Chicago, Illinois
June 21, 2000