Fiber patch cables are instrumental in delivering high-density connections in a data center. While the fiber optic transmission systems are showing upward trends in the requirements of bandwidth, the use of new generation fiber optic modules and patch cables are dedicated to finding the best productivity in the present bandwidth. This makes fiber optical cables a thing worth considering for maintaining high-quality of services without increasing the budget.
How Fiber Can Help In Delivering High-Density Networks?
The data center operators need to maintain cost-effectiveness in establishing networks while integrating the high-density feature into it. To achieve the high-density in a budget, the multi-mode fiber networks offer the suitable option. These create maximum advantage in the data center while offering the reduction in cost of both active and passive.
The newest addition to the fiber network functional in the data center is EIA/TIA492AAAD compliant category OM4 multimode fiber that is guaranteeing better transmission medium. The existing varieties of OM1, OM2 and OM3 work on VCSEL technique, but in OM4 cables, the bandwidth is enhances substantially allowing the network managers to deliver content of both audio and video type at a faster rate to the end users. Thus, the data centers are now able to meet the growing requirements of cloud computing applications, online media etc.
The most important use of fiber patch cables of OM4 multimode fibers is realized in telecom switching centers, server farms and network switches. Certain system applications comprising of backplane communications, applications featuring high-speed data transfer and high-density applications type are also delivering unprecedented performance owing to the high quality nature of multimode fiber optic patch cables.
In the most modern data centers that are delivering 40G/100G networks, the use of MTP/MPO connector is proposed. This connector works in fiber channel to several fiber optic cables connections and also across all kinds of fiber connections.
The most important use of fiber patch cables is seen in QSFP-MTP/MPO connection. This helps in combating the losses caused due to end-to-end insertion, and EMI. The correspondence between the equipment at either end is more stabilized and free from errors helping achieve better quality in signals.
Fiber patch cables are popularly applied in MPO / MTP high-density fiber pre-connection system that are employed mainly in
- data center ecosystem comprising of dense and small networks.
- FTTB applications
- Optical splitter connections
- Connections involving 40G/100G QSFP and SFP+
- Various other fiber optical transceiver devices.
Apart from these, parallel optical connectivity products such as MPO Loopback, QSFP jumper and 16×8 OM3/OM4 MPO bundle are also made time-relevant with fiber optic patch cables.
100G is the new trend in data centers requiring fiber patch cables
MPO/MTP fiber patch cables are considered easy and cost-effective alternative for achieving 100G connectivity. These are available in UPC and APC end finishes, corresponding to multi-mode and single mode fibers respectively.
The arrangement of 4 x 25G optical modules – 100G output module is made possible with the help of MTP fiber patch cables. Trunk cables of MPO/MTP type are applicable in data center connections. These patch cables terminate into MTP/MPO connector that is ideal for fan-out cables allowing various devices and ports to get integrated into single unit.
Fiber optic cables are of simple as well as hybrid type. These are designed to support same or different types of connectors at either ends. Thus, devices and networking equipment having different connector interfaces can be connected with each other allowing the users to leverage their best features to improve the performance of the data centers.
Why fiber patch cables are considered ideal for data center applications
Barring the top rack connections where copper cables are still ruling the scene, fiber patch cables seem to have taken over the whole of the data center ecosystem.
The management of umpteen connections amongst devices and connectors is a tedious task and fiber patch cables are serving the purpose of doing the same in a neat and organized manner. These are considered ideal connecting solutions because:
- The data transmission rate of fiber patch cables is better than the copper cables. Thus, these are better alternative when it comes to achieving high speed networks.
- Fiber patch cables have low power loss; thus, they can deliver data connectivity to longer distances per fiber.
- The fiber patch cables do not exhibit EMI. Thus, these do not interfere with the functioning of all other components comprising the network. Copper cables, on the other hand, can create disturbance making it difficult for the data center operators to manage the devices and related connections.
- The core of the fiber patch cables does not have electricity running through it. Thus, there is no risk of fire; data center security is enhances due to this.
- Fiber optic cables do not break easily. Thus, these need not be replaced often helping the data center operators reduce effort in maintenance.
To conclude, cloud computing and prevalence of virtual servers make it imperative to deliver faster and more efficient data centers. This can be made possible only with the help of better quality patch cables that are better propagators of data across devices.
QSFP+ ports delivering highly dense ports are able to meet the high bandwidth requirements; thereby delivering better per-channel rate. Thus, fiber patch cables are doing their bit in the best possible manner by offering better quality data center applications. 🙂
