Which Fiber Patch Enclosure Fits Your Data Center Application?

Fiber patch enclosure, providing solid fiber optic links protection and easy & fast cable management, is becoming a must-have component in data center and server room fiber cabling. As data center cabling requirements are various, fiber patch enclosures also have a lot of designs. Selecting the right fiber patch enclosures can largely increase the working efficiency and decrease the costs for labor and time. Which fiber patch enclosure knows fits your data center requirements best? Here will introduce several most commonly used and affordable fiber patch enclosures that are used for data center cabling.

Fiber Patch Enclosure Divided Overall Design

There are two widely used designs of fiber patch enclosures in general: wall mount fiber patch enclosure and rack mount fiber patch enclosure. The functions of the two types fiber patch enclosures can be literally understood. Usually, a wall mount enclosure can be installed directly on wall for fiber cabling. A rack mount fiber patch enclosure usually has a industry standard 19 inch wide rack unit (RU) design and can be installed on a rack for fiber cabling. For higher fiber count, the rack mount fiber enclosure could be 2/4/6/12RU or more.

The rack mount fiber patch enclosure also has two versions in general. One is a fixed one with a lid which can be removed from the enclosure for fiber cabling, the other one is a slide-out fiber patch enclosure. Currently, the most popular rack mount fiber patch enclosure is usually has a slide-out design, which allows customers to remove the whole enclosure from the rack and provides easier internal fiber connection access.

Fiber Patch Enclosures With Different Front Panel

The front panel of a fiber patch enclosure is also very important which can directly affects the fiber count that an enclosure can provide and the cabling methods. To fit various fiber cabling environments and network applications, the fiber patch enclosure front panels come in a variety of types. Here will introduces several most popular fiber enclosures with different front panel designs.

Fiber Patch Enclosure With Fixed Front Adapter Panel

A fixed front adapter panel is usually a 19 inch wide fiber adapter panel which can be installed on the fiber patch enclosure to accommodate various fiber optic connectors. The port number and fiber adapter type will determine the fiber count and connector types that can be installed with the fiber patch enclosures. The following picture shows a 1U fiber adapter panel loaded with 24 duplex LC adapters which can provide up to 48 fiber optic connections. This fiber adapter panel can be installed on fiber patch enclosure working as the front panel.

Fiber Patch Enclosure With Removable Adapter Panels

Driven by the requirement for higher cabling density and flexible cabling methods, the front panel of a fiber patch enclosure could be composed by several individual fiber adapter panels which could be loaded with the same or different types of fiber optic adapters. Meanwhile, these individual fiber adapter panels can provide various types of adapters and higher cabling density. Generally, up to three 12 duplex LC port fiber adapter panels with industry standards can be installed on a 1U rack mount fiber enclosure. However, a smaller version of fiber adapter panel is also provided. Up to four 12 duplex port fiber adapter panels can be installed on a 1U rack mount fiber enclosure.

Fiber Patch Enclosure With Removable MTP/MPO Cassettes

The fiber adapter panel that installed on the fiber enclosures required additional internal fiber cabling, which usually uses fiber pigtails. As 40G/100G fiber networks which use MTP/MPO interfaces are gradually being deployed in today’s data center, the cabling methods become more complex. To simplify the cabling methods, MTP/MPO cassettes are being introduced to the market. Up to three LGX MTP/MPO cassettes can be installed on a 1U fiber panel enclosure. With these cassettes, the internal cabling of a fiber patch enclosure could be eliminated. For higher cabling density, there is also a high density cassette. Up to four of the HD MTP/MPO cassettes can be installed on a 1U fiber panel.

Conclusion

The above mentioned fiber patch enclosures are the most commonly used ones in today’s applications. The cabling environments of every data center are different. Finding the right fiber patch enclosures means a lot. Excepted standard fiber enclosures, there are also a lot of customized fiber enclosures that are provided in FS.COM. Customer can design their own fiber patch enclosures in FS.COM according to their own applications.

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-tutorial.com/fiber-patch-enclosure-fits-data-center-application.html

How to Build 10G CWDM Network

As a passive technology, CWDM allows for any protocol to be transported over fiber optic link at specific wavelengths. CWDM technology is a cost-effective and simple method to increase the capacities of fiber optic network, by using different wavelengths to carry different signals over a single optical fiber. The wide deployment of CWDM network is greatly driven by its affordable cost.

What Is Need for A 10G CWDM Network?

The deployment of a 10G CWDM network is relaying on the exiting fiber optic network. Adding some components on the existing network can largely increase its capacity for data transmission. Here will introduce the key component and an important step during 10G CWDM network deployment.

A Key Component—CWDM Mux/Demux

A key component should be deployed is CWDM Mux/Demux, which combines different wavelength signals from different optical fibers into a single optical fiber, or separates different wavelength signals coming from a single optical fiber to separate optical fibers. The Channel number of a CWDM Mux/Demux is an important factor to divide this device. Standards have identified 18 CWDM Channels. Most of the CWDM Mux/Demux are provided with Channel number range from 2 to 16. However, FS.COM provides a 18-Channel CWDM Mux/Demux which can increase capacity of CWDM network to the most. CWDM Mux/Demuxs also come into a variety of package form factors. The most commonly used are LGX design, rack design and pigtail design.

An Important Step—Connecting CWDM Mux/Demux With 10G Switch

Connecting CWDM Mux/Demux with a 10G switch, is the most important step to build a 10G CWDM network. In simple, to add more devices on the fiber optic network by CWDM technology is to connect the CWDM Mux/Demux with the 10G switches which are linked to the end users. To link CWDM Mux/Demux with the switches, fiber patch cable and 10G CWDM SFP+ transceiver are needed. 10G CWDM SFP+ transceiver should be installed on the switch SFP+ port (some switches use XFP port, then 10G CWDM XFP transceiver is required). Then a length of fiber patch cable should be used to link the transceiver and CWDM Mux/Demux.

How to Select to Right 10G CWDM SFP+ Transceivers?

Choose the Right Working Wavelength: To ensure the right connection, the specific wavelength port should be connected to the same wavelength CWDM SFP+ transceivers. For example, the port on the CWDM Mux/Demux marked with 1270 nm, should be connected to a CWDM SFP+ transceiver that working over wavelength of 1270 nm. As there are 18 different CWDM wavelengths, 10G CWDM SFP+ transceivers that are provided in the market also can 18 different versions for these wavelengths.

Choose the Compatible CWDM SFP+: It is common sense that the fiber optic transceiver should be compatible with the switch which it works on. For instance, if you are using a Cisco switch, the fiber optic transceivers that you used with this switch should be original Cisco transceivers or Cisco compatible transceivers which are provided by third party vendors. The latter is usually the choice of many companies, this is because third party transceivers are usually more cheap than the original brand transceivers. Fiber optic transceivers provided by third party vendor like FS.COM are all fully tested on original brand switch to ensure their compatibility and quality. What’s more, most of FS.COM fiber optic transceivers support same day shipping. Select the right SFP do not only cut your cost and time, but also provide high network performance.

Choose the Transmission Distance According to Your Needs: CWDM network is usually deployed for long distance transmission. Thus the 10G CWDM SFP+ transceiver that are provided in the market usually support transmission distance longer than 20 km, some can support link length up to 80 km or more. You can select the 10G CWDM SFP+ according to your requirements.

Here list the generic whole band 10G CWDM SFP+ fiber optic transceivers that support link length of 20km, 40km and 60km. If you need the brand compatible CWDM SFP+, kindly contact sales@fs.com or visit FS.COM for more details.

Wavelength	20km CWDM SFP+	40km CWDM SFP+	60km CWDM SFP+
1270 nm	44170	44363	44743
1290 nm	44171	44364	44744
1310 nm	44172	44365	44745
1330 nm	44173	44366	44746
1350 nm	44269	44367	44747
1370 nm	44270	44368	44748
1390 nm	44271	44369	44749
1410 nm	44272	44370	44750
1430 nm	44273	44371	44751
1450 nm	44274	44372	44752
1470 nm	44299	44550	44827
1490 nm	44300	44551	44828
1510 nm	44301	44552	44829
1530 nm	44302	44553	44830
1550 nm	44303	44554	44831
1570 nm	44304	44555	44832
1590 nm	44305	44556	44833
1610 nm	44306	44557	44834

Conclusion

With the improvement of technology and market, the cost of CWDM network has decrease a lot. To build a 10G CWDM network is affordable to most companies. For full series of CWDM network Solutions, please visit the following link: WDM Solution

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-tutorial.com/build-10g-cwdm-network.html

Fiber Patch Panels for Ultra High Density Cabling

How to build a flexible and manageable cabling system in high density cabling environment is becoming an issue which has attracted increasing attention of many data centers. Cable management components like fiber patch panels have kept upgrading to meet the increasing needs for high density cabling. Proper using of fiber patch panels does not only provide well management for fiber patch cables in data center, but also protects the fiber patch cables and reduces the risks of faults cause by problems like bend loss, dusts and wrong connections. For ultra high density cabling like 40G and 100G connections, things would be more complex. Luckily, with clever design of fiber patch panels, customers won’t worry about fiber cable mess and faults caused by bad cable management.

Larger Fiber Count Means More Space Requirements

For 40G network, the backbone core signals are generally distributed into 4 strands of 10G signals in first. This process usually employs fanout MTP to LC fiber patch cables. For example, a 8-fiber MTP to 4 LC duplex fiber harness cable provides 8 fibers for 4 ways of duplex transmission. It means a fanout cable with a MTP connector and 8 legs terminated with LC connector added in data center for a single duplex way of 40G transmission. In data center, a lot of 40G network should be built, which means the fiber cable count will be largely increased. Not to mention the 100G applications, which will increase at least 10 fibers for every 100G signal distribution.

Using Modular Design to Reduce the Space Requirements

To solve this problem, a series of fiber patch panels have been invented for 40G and 100G signal distribution applications. Here introduce two versions of ultra high density fiber patch panels which are designed for 40G and 100G applications separately: 1U 96-fiber MTP to LC breakout fiber patch panel and 2U 160-fiber MTP to LC breakout fiber patch panel. Both of them use the industry standard rack unit design, which can be installed on any standard rack.

1U 96-Fibers MTP-LC Fiber Patch Panel for 40G Applications

The above picture shows the details of this 96-fiber breakout patch panel. On the back panel of this unit, there are 12 8-fiber MTP adapters which are separately linked 12 groups of LC duplex adapters on the front panel. Each of the 12 groups has 4 duplex LC adapters which can support 4 ways of 10G duplex transmission. Thus, the whole fiber patch panel can support up to 12*40G transmission in duplex ways. To decrease the error connections, each port has been clearly identified by numbers and groups.

160-Fiber MTP-LC Fiber Patch Panel for 100G Applications

A 160 fibers MTP to LC fiber patch panel uses a standard 2U rack design, which uses the same theory of the above mentions 96-fiber 40G fiber patch panel. The distribution of the 100G signals is generally achieved in 10*10G. There are 8 20-fiber MTP adapters on the back panel of this 100G fiber patch panel. Each of them connects a 20-fiber MTP adapter on the back panel to a group of 10 duplex LC adapters on the front panel. Thus, 8*100G duplex transmissions can be achieved with this 2U rack.

Conclusion

The above mentioned 1U 96-fibers MTP-LC fiber patch panel for 40G and 160-fiber MTP-LC fiber patch panel for 100G applications do not only decrease the space requirement for ultra high density cabling environment, but also decrease the faults caused by cable clutter, connection, disconnecting or bend loss by protecting the optical fiber in side a strong and reliable box. Kindly visit FS.COM or contact sales@fs.com for more details about ultra high density patch panels, if you are interested.

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-tutorial.com/fiber-patch-panels-ultra-high-density-cabling.html

How Many Choices Do You Still Have for Fiber Patch Cable?

Fiber patch cable, also known as fiber jumper, is a key component in today’s fiber optic network. They play the role of veins in the whole fiber optic network bringing fiber optic signals between devices.

How to Select Standard Fiber Patch Cable?

During the selection of standard fiber patch cables, several questions are usually take into consideration:

• What’s the fiber type of the patch cable? The available selection are Multimode (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4) and single-mode (OS1 and OS2).
• What’s the connector type and connector polishing type on the two ends of fiber patch cable? Currently the most commonly used fiber patch cables are usually terminated with LC, SC and MPO connectors.
• What’s the fiber count of the patch cable? Simplex (one fiber) and duplex (2 fibers) fiber patch cable are very common. For fiber patch cables terminated with MTP/MPO connector or breakout fiber patch cables. Their fiber count would be larger, sometime up to 24 fibers or more.
• What’s the material of the fiber patch cable jacket? PVC, LSZH, Armored, and OFNP are the choice of most situations.

Not All Fiber Patch Cable Are Created Equal

Now with the fiber optic cable being widely used in a variety of industries and places, the requests for fiber patch are being refined. Fiber patch cable are being required to be improved and provide more possibilities to satisfy various application environments. Actually, many specially fiber patch cable have been created to answer the market call. Here will introduce several unique but useful fiber patch cable for your references.

Bend Insensitive Fiber Patch Cable for Lower Signal Loss

Bend loss issues are always a headache problem for most fiber optic network designers and installers. Why? Cause signal loss caused by bend loss issues are really hard to handle. In addition the bend loss issues are difficult to locate. That’s why bend insensitive fiber patch cables are created. Literally, it tells us that this type of fiber patch cable is not as sensitive as other fiber patch cables. The secrets is lays on the fibers which is made of bend insensitive glass. More and more data centers and FTTH systems are tend to use these bend insensitive fiber patch cables, because they do not provide lower signal loss, but also provide a much more durable and easy to maintain networking environment. Fiber optic installer is able to save installation cost with faster installation due to easier fiber optic cable handling.

Keyed LC Fiber Patch Cable for Data Security

Keyed LC fiber patch cable, is also called secured LC fiber patch cable. This is because, the fiber optic connectors on the two end of the patch cable are specially designed LC connectors, which can ensure the data security at the mechanic level. Keyed LC fiber patch cable is identifies by the connector color. Keyed LC fiber patch cable is just a part of the Keyed LC connectivity product family. It should be used with the same colored fiber adapters or fiber adapter panels. Each color of a set of keyed LC connectivity products represents a unique keying pattern that only allows matched color mating. This is how keyed LC fiber patch cable can provide data security for fiber optic network. A previous article (Secure Fiber Optic Link With Keyed LC Connectivity Products) of my has introduce keyed LC connectivity in details, kindly follow the link on the article title if you need more information about them.

Uniboot LC Fiber Patch Cable for Easier Cable Management

Uniboot LC fiber patch cable is a fiber patch cable with two fibers wrapped in the same strand of cable. A duplex LC fiber optic connector which can provide easy polarity reversal is terminated on each end of the uniboot LC fiber patch cable. The following picture show the polarity reversal of a typical uniboot LC fiber patch cable. With less cabling space are require, better cooling is available. With easier polarity reversal, no additional tools are required. And easier cable management can be enjoyed.

HD TAB Fiber Patch Cable for Space Saving

HD (high density) TAB fiber patch cable is a fiber patch cable with its connectors attached with a push pull tab, which can provide easier finger access and cable locating. Today’s fiber optic network is increasing depended on high density which results in difficult finger access and difficult cable management. With a push-pull tab attached on the connector, problem are solved easily. The connecting and disconnection of fiber patch cables will be easier without affecting other surrounding links. Currently most HD TAB fiber patch cables available the market are terminated with LC and MTP/MPO connectors. For more information about this type of patch cable kindly visit my article: Cabling With High Density Push-Pull Tab Patch Cords.

HD Uniboot LC Fiber Patch Cable—Space Saving to the Extreme

HD uniboot LC fiber patch cable combine the advantages of uniboot LC fiber patch cable and HD TAB fiber patch cable. Combining two optical fibers in a single cable strand and attaching a push-pull tab on the connectors, HD uniboot LC fiber patch cable can minimize the required cabling spaces to extreme. It is an ideal solution for high density cabling environment.

Except the standard fiber patch cable, there are still a lot of choices which can meet the requirements of various networking environment. All the above mentioned fiber patch cable are all available in FS.COM. Kindly visit FS.COM or contact sales@fs.com for more details.