Shulou(Shulou.com)06/01 Report--

Cable interconnection is critical to any data center network, and fiber optic cable is the preferred medium.

With the growing demand for bandwidth and faster data transmission, this kind of media becomes complex. In today's blog, we outlined best practices and pitfalls to avoid when doing these complex installations.

Combined with new technology

The ability to achieve speeds of 40100 and 400 gigabits per second and higher is a direct result of technological advances such as multi-fiber connectors (MPO / MTP), wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and angle polished connectors (APC) for single-mode cables.

Most of these technologies have been on the market for years. Today, however, many devices use a combination of these technologies to achieve the desired results. In today's data centers, cable design can have a significant impact on new or existing data centers. The following are day-to-day situations or challenges that can occur during a data center build or upgrade:

Incorrect type of network interface is used

Select the appropriate cable type

Polarity reversal

Connector mismatch

Installation practice

Incorrect interface type

The wrong interface or module may be used for a variety of reasons; the most common is communication failures between network engineers and data center equipment installers. The installed module does not meet the required transport standard. For example, use an Ethernet SFP module for fibre Channel communication. With seemingly endless interface options, compatibility between cabling and network design is critical. Sometimes network design lags behind data center construction, resulting in incorrect media installation.

Use the appropriate fiber optic cable

Once the network interface is determined, you can choose to connect to the media. Does the data center require a combination of single-mode, multimode, or two cable types? Do these cables require MPO / MTP or LC connectors? It is critical to ensure proper cables and connectors between devices. Understanding network requirements during planning will reduce potential incompatibility.

Reverse polarity

Determining the polarity of optical fiber cables has increased complexity over the past decade due to the emergence of MPO / MTP connectors and the ability to detach and demultiply these optics. Careful consideration must be given to selecting connector types (male (fixed) or female (non-fixed) connectors, buttons or buttons) and how they pair with multiple types of cassettes, devices, and other cables. Errors in cable design or installation are expensive and time-consuming. It can be difficult to know which end of the fiber link is transmitting or receiving data, especially if it has multiple hops in a large data center.

Mismatched connector

If your fiber optic cable has an aqua MPO connector, is it suitable for blue MPO cassettes? Although these connectors are paired, it does not mean that they work. In addition to multimode cable and single-mode cassette problems, single-mode connectors on cassettes can also be angularly polished (called APC), which adds another layer of complexity to an already chaotic cabling environment.

Installation practice

Common causes of problems during on-site installation include dirty conditions that cause dust on the fiber and poor installation practices that lead to micro-bends and fractures. Even brand new factory sealed cables should be cleaned before installation for best results. In some cases, multiple cleaning may be required to reduce the connection risk. Following the correct installation procedures and having the right channels will reduce cable damage.

Conclusion

Given these complexities, you must ask the right questions and effectively communicate network and design concepts. Understanding complex cable connections is critical to the success of the entire installation and project. Working with proficient teams familiar with these technologies, it is critical to operate at the forefront of true data center communications.

Welcome to subscribe "Shulou Technology Information " to get latest news, interesting things and hot topics in the IT industry, and controls the hottest and latest Internet news, technology news and IT industry trends.