How to Achieve High-Density and Easy Cable Management?
Increasing demand for data to support streaming media and the increasing usage of mobile broadband communications has resulted in dramatic advances in networking, such as 40/100G Ethernet solutions, which forces data center administrators to face new challenges, maintaining high availability, reducing costs, seeking out high efficiencies and planning for future growth. But when we pursue these goals to maximize density, capacity and performance, cable management could get out of control. High-density fiber connectivity products are the key to make high density a reality without sacrificing streamlined, cost-efficient cable management. The following text will introduce some high-density fiber connectivity components that make up a data center, and the features that can ensure easy cable management along the way.
For standard fiber patch cable, which offers a small overall diameter can improve cable management by installing in dense patch cord trays that take up less space. It also provides better airflow to maintain consistent operating temperatures, reducing the likelihood of failure or downtime. But as cabling density increases, finger access to each patch cable become difficult. To solve this issue, high-density patch cords which deploy a flexible push-pull tab as shown below come into being. These tabs can help increase cabling density and maintain reliability, preventing you from accidentally loosening surrounding connectors as you access the patch cord you need.
High-density trunks allow tighter trunk cable bends for slack storage and routing. When you can find high-density trunks that offer smaller/tighter transitions, less space is consumed and installation will be easier. Besides, when a cable with a smaller overall diameter is used, cable pulling and cable management are improved. MPO or MTP trunk cable as shown below is commonly used trunk types.
Crucial for organizing a fiber network, the high-density patch panel provides a centralized location to manage network connections. Not only does it provide physical security for sensitive network connections, it also minimize network downtime by allowing easy access during routine maintenance. It is an ideal solution for installation with space constraints, which is available in flat and angled designs as shown in the image below, with 48 ports in one rack spaces and 72 ports in two rack spaces. The angled design increases rack density, managing high-density applications in one-fourth the area needed for conventional cable management systems.
High-density fiber enclosure increases fiber density by up to 50 percent within the same rack space for additional interconnect or cross-connect patching. It is ideal for data center and enterprise applications where network expansion is a priority, now and in the future, and this scalable solution allows you to increase port density in racks to meet expanding network demands. Fiber optic enclosure often comes in two versions: wall mount fiber enclosure and rack mount fiber enclosure as shown below. Typically, wall mount enclosure can be installed directly on wall for fiber cabling, while rack mount enclosure usually has a industry standard 19 inch wide rack unit design and can be installed on a rack for fiber cabling. For higher fiber count, the rack mount enclosure could be 2/4/6/12 rack unit or more.
Existing and emerging network technologies are driving the need for increased data rates and fiber use in the data center. High-density optical connectivity solutions are essential to address these trends and to facilitate the efficiency of cable management. The products we introduced above are common in a high-density data center. You can choose the right one according to your requirement.
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