We　propose　a　scheme　for　implementing　quantum　gates　for　two　atoms　trapped　in　distant　cavities　connected　by　an　optical　fiber.　The　effective　long-distance　coupling　between　the　two　distributed　qubits　is　achieved　without　excitation　and　transportation　of　photons　through　the　optical　fiber.　Since　the　cavity　modes　and　fiber　mode　are　never　populated　and　the　atoms　undergo　no　transitions,　the　gate　operation　is　insensitive　to　the　decoherence　effect　when　the　thermal　photons　in　the　environment　are　negligible.　The　scheme　opens　promising　perspectives　for　networking　quantum　information　processors　and　implementing　distributed　and　scalable　quantum　computation.　©　2009　American　Institute　of　Physics.