Author Archives

Liz Goldsmith

Dedicated LC fiber connector tool

Designed to insert and extract LC connectors in high-density patch panels, the new FCT-200 from Jonard Tools is specifically made for working with LC connectors in tightly packed bulkheads. The FCT-200’s thin nose jaws can be used to insert or remove simplex LC connectors in tightly packed bulkhead spaces. The unique jaws easily grasp LC connectors firmly, without damaging them or the surrounding connectors.

2020 BICSI Winter keynote panel to address changing world of ICT

The opening keynote at the Winter BICSI conference will take the form of a panel discussion, titled “Public Policy in a Changing World—How Will It Impact the ICT Professional?” The panel will discuss key topics facing ICT professionals, including: low-voltage licensing; O*NET industry classifications and code assignments; and public work development initiatives. In addition, a focus will be placed on the landscape and some of the challenges and opportunities, as well as the importance in implementing new strategies and defending competency-based programs for the design, installation and integration of ICT fields.

Mixing it up with hybrid cables

It’s challenging to make the right decision on passive infrastructure deployment in the presence of incomplete information on future transmission technologies and future network architectures. One tactic to deploy hybrid cables to account for potential disruptions that next-generation transmission technologies may bring. A hybrid optical fiber cable is one that features two or more different fiber types within the same physical construction to provide greater flexibility for the network operator.

TIA TR-42.11 committee issues call for interest on 2 new optical fiber projects

TIA TR-42.11 Engineering Committee on Optical Fiber Systems (568) has issued a call for interest on two documents: ANSI/TIA-568.3-E and TIA-526.14-D. The revision to TIA-568.3-D will include  General Updates and any additional content deemed appropriate by formulating subcommittee. For TIA-526.14-D, the committee will develop guidelines for Optical Power Loss Measurement of Installed Multimode Fiber Cable Plant and add reference to bend insensitive MM fiber for testing with EF compliant launch cord.

A la mode: Do multimode fibers still have a place in data centers?

On-premises data centers, hybrid cloud implementations, multi-tenant data centers, and some of the largest hyperscale cloud companies are still using multimode. Even as data rates keep going up, there is still relevance to multimode for low power, short reach applications. People have a misconception that everything service provider- or cloud-based is going to be single-mode only.

Overcoming the challenges of cleaning high-density fiber connections in giant data centers

The higher the fiber count of the cable, the more vulnerable the connectors and end faces are to contamination. All connectors are inherently dirty because of the moving parts like springs, connectors, and latches, all of which generate wear debris. Therefore, to get absolute reliability and uninterrupted service from any UHCF network it is important that all connectors are cleaned and inspected to meet IEC 61300-3-35 standards prior to installation. This helps avoid potential fiber network problems such as insertion loss (weakened signal), back-reflection (signal is diverted back to its source) or a complete system shut down.

Cable management is key to data center cross connect strategy

In order to manage their fiber, most data centers typically use a mixture of direct connect and interconnect cabling. As the name implies, a direct connection runs point-to-point between racks. A data center interconnect—not to be confused with the network interconnects mentioned previously—routes patch cords to a presentation panel. For large projects, this strategy can become difficult to manage as patch cords tend to become longer and cable pathways grow more congested. Once the number of fiber strands starts to exceed two or three thousand, the scales begin tipping in favor of a cross connect patching strategy.

FCC initiates $20 billion rural broadband fund

The FCC has taken its single biggest step to date to close the digital divide by establishing the new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to efficiently fund the deployment of high-speed broadband networks in rural America.Through a two-phase reverse auction mechanism, the FCC said it will direct up to $20.4 billion over ten years to finance up to gigabit speed broadband networks in unserved rural areas, connecting millions more American homes and businesses to digital opportunity.