Easy Back-to-Basic Structured Cabling Design

In the Data Center, migration to 40 and 100-gigabit infrastructure deployment and flattened architectures are causing optical loss budgets to shrink. However, the loss values of many pre-terminated fiber solutions have only allowed for two mated pairs in a channel, which has limited the ability to deploy manageable, scalable and secure networks. Actually, the current insertion loss of 0.75 dB per mated pair defined by TIA allows for just one mated pair in both 10- and 40-GbE fiber channels.

Mini SAS Cables

Thankfully, new low-loss solutions allow Data Center managers to get back to the fundamental best practice of deploying multiple connection points that provide convenient cross-connects and zone distribution areas (ZDAs) to improve manageability, scalability and security.

Then, How many connection points is optimum?

2-Point Topology

While less expensive in material, two mated pairs requires high-density patching at the core. This can cause difficult, unsecure access to critical switch ports, creating the risk of interrupting live traffic.

Installation is labor intensive with large numbers of cabling assemblies installed in long runs. Adding new equipment can also disrupt pathways as additional long trunk assemblies will need to be added. Many standard-loss solutions may also require Data Center managers to deploy more expensive OM4 fiber rather than OM3.

3-Point Topology

Using three mated pairs offers some improvement. With one point at the core and one at the access switch, an additional connection point can be added at a ZDA. The same limitation of high-density patching exists at the core, but it does offer improved security. All of the cables from the core can be pre-installed to the ZDAs, eliminating the need for server teams to access critical switch cabinets. Adding new equipment involves running fewer cable assemblies short distances from ZDAs, rather than many cables all the way from the core.

4-Point Topology

This topology allows for a cross-connect at the core. High-density patching from core switches can be cross-connected to lower-density patching fields, making MACs easier while restricting access to switch cabinets. Unfortunately, long runs may still be required from the cross-connect to the equipment area.

5-Point Topology

Considered the pinnacle solution, a five-point topology allows for both a cross-connect at the core and ZDAs at each equipment row. This offers low-density, easy-access patching at the core and enables all cabling to be preinstalled from the core to the ZDAs.

5 points topology: pinnacle solution

Sopto supply high quality twinax cables, like SFP+ cables, XFP to XFP cables, 40G QSFP+ cables, for data center construction. For more info, please browse our website. For purchasing more fiber optic assembly products, please contact a Sopto representative by calling 86-755-36946668, or by sending an email to info@sopto.com.