Parallel optics technology has become the transmission option of choice in many data centres as it is able to support 10G, 40G, and 100G transmission. For parallel optics to work effectively, it requires the right choice of cable and connector. It is no doubt that fiber optic cable is the main choice for data center cabling as it can provide numerous advantages over twisted-pair copper in a data center environment that allow network designers to benefit from new data center architectures.
Let’s say you’re in charge of a data center and your boss reminds you that streaming video and IoT devices are all the rage and if you don’t keep up with bandwidth demand, you’re toast. You have 10G links that use 10G SFP+ SR transceivers at the aggregation layer. You upgrade your switches or linecards to ones that have 40G QSFP ports like the Nexus series switches.You now have a couple of choices for the QSFP ports: You could use QSFP SR4 transceivers, which requires ribbon fiber. That means you’d have to install more trunk fiber and modify patch panels to handle the MPO (Multi-Fiber Push On) connectors. Or you could use the QSFP BiDi transceiver, which, by the way, costs less than the SR4 transceiver. All you have to do is unplug the dual fiber MMF (Multi-Mode Fiber) cable that you already have in place, and plug it right into the BiDi. No hassle. Boss happy. Seems obvious, doesn’t it?
Ultra High Density Modules provides an interface between MPO Trunks and LC interface of active equipment. This UHD module with its unique footprint provides scalability for high density fiber optics infrastructure with up to 288 fibers inside a 2U space. Pre-assembled MPO modules improve the speed of installation and because they are so compact, the improve space management in a high fiber density environment.
Let’s take a look at the #9 Dumb Thing that smart people do when testing network cabling systems—relying on a duplex tester for certifying MPO trunks. Field testing is the only way to ensure that MPO links meet the application performance requirements. Despite the fact that pre-terminated MPO fiber cables are manufactured and tested by vendors to comply with ANSI/TIA and international standards, there are many factors that can potentially impact performance. First of all, MPO connectors are harder to clean than duplex connectors. The 12-fiber MPO interface features an array with a much larger surface area, which unfortunately makes it easier to move contaminants from one fiber to another within the same array during the cleaning process. 40 and 100 Gbps MPO fiber applications also have much lower loss budgets so it’s important to ensure the highest testing accuracy as possible.
Seasoned industry professionals may recall the excruciating, painstaking days of installing and connecting countless fibers, one at a time. As the number of data centers grew exponentially in the 2000s, designers and installers were tasked with managing hundreds and even thousands of single- and 2-fiber connector solutions. To accommodate the high volume of connectors within ever-tighter space constraints, installers and designers were forced to create more elaborate storage and routing solutions that came with their own set of challenges. Fortunately, those days are long gone – thanks in large part to the emergence of the multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connector. The MPO format dramatically reduced the amount of time, effort, and space required to install and deploy network technologies, particularly in parallel optic applications.
A speck of dust you can’t see on an MPO connector can bring down a high-speed trunk, potentially affecting thousands of users. This video covers techniques for cleaning MPO connections using both dry and wet methods and shows how fast and easy it is to inspect them to make sure the job is done right.
There are multiple types of cords, cables, and connections that are used to maintain the networking we enjoy in the modern age. Here’s a quick breakdown on what these cables are and a broad idea of the roles they play in how things work before you buy.
Polarity needs to be determined during the design phase so that the right components can be purchased. Unfortunately, the confusion surrounding polarity often means finding out that you’ve ordered cables or patch cords with the wrong polarity. And since pre-terminated MPO assemblies and jumpers are typically made to order (and often nonreturnable), ordering the wrong polarity risks unexpected project delays and expense. Thankfully, the combination of being able to test for polarity and new MPO connectors that allow you to change polarity in the field is putting an end to the risk. This article takes a closer look.
