Fiber enclosures are junction points for structured cabling systems. They are very beneficial as they allow for rapid changes that happen frequently in the data center.

How do fiber enclosures work?

Typically fiber enclosures, also referred to as “patch panels,” are located at the top of a rack. A large bundle of cables will run under the floor or in overhead conveyance, and plug into the back of the fiber enclosure. Within the fiber enclosure are couplers. These couplers allow cable connectors to “mate,” or meet up. This is the critical component of the fiber enclosure. This allows for the rapid change out with use of a short “jumper” or patch cable to run from the equipment up to the fiber enclosure.

Benefits of fiber enclosures in a structured cabling system

Fiber enclosures are particularly helpful when installing new networking equipment that calls for a connector change. For example: say your data center is hooked up network cables that have SC connectors, but a new switch calls for network cables with an LC coupler. Instead of having to remove cables from underfloor or overhead conveyance and install entirely new cables with LC connectors, only the cable connecting the enclosure to the switch needs to be replaced. This not only vastly decreases installation time, but also reduces the risk of network downtime, as you’re not removing and replacing large amounts of cabling.

As a part of a structure cabling system, fiber enclosures play a critical role in effective cable management that reduces installation, creates easier moves, adds and changes, and decreases the chance for network downtime.

How to create space when there is no space in the data center.

One of the most common problems in today’s data center is real estate. For those that have seen their data center evolve over time, they may see that what was once an expansive open “white” space is now a maze of racks and cabinets that are stuffed to the brim with hardware and cables. Space has become a premium for many organizations. Combine this with a lack of flexibility and time to consolidate hardware and cabling because of the need for maximum uptime, and you now have the current state of affairs for most data centers today. “Space saving” products are needed!

There are many innovative products that address the space issue. Here are a few of them:

 Z-Mount Brackets:

These brackets eliminate the use of rack space for patch panels. They mount to any standard rack spacing with EIX-310D specs (which includes most racks and cabinets on the market today). This simple design allows for a TIA-942 recommended structured cabling system and utilizes no “U” space.

Ladder Rack Enclosure:

This is an enclosure that mounts above a rack or cabinet. It can be affixed to either ladder rack and/or basket tray. This is a good option for those that use overhead conveyance. Much like the Z-Mount brackets, it does not use rack space and allows for a TIA-942 recommended structured cabling system.

Our product team recently released a 12U H-Series Enclosure as part of our Skinny-Trunk fiber optic cabling solution.

Our CABLExpress 12U H-Series Enclosure is designed specifically to replicate 64 port high density SAN director class switches.

This allows users to fully replicate their director class switch in a main distribution area (MDA) as recommended in the TIA-942 Data Center Standard. The 12U H-Series enclosure allows significantly more spacing in between ports which makes working with the patch cables in this enclosure a breeze. 48 and 32 port modules also available to offer full replication for any density.

Features:

• Low loss components offer optimum performance and manageability
• Stable spring couplers minimize vibration
• Molded angled MTP couplers allow for optimum rear cable management
• Rugged design allows fiber to remain secure
• Slide out labeling tray with one to one port mapping

Download the 12U Fiber Optic Enclosure spec sheet.

Yesterday I wrote a little bit about how data center technicians can inadvertently affect the performance of their fiber optic cabling. Today, I’ll discuss how manufacturers of fiber optic cabling can do the same. While purchasers of cabling infrastructure don’t have control over the manufacturing process, this will help guide what questions should be asked before ordering.

How Cable Manufacturers Affect Fiber Optic Cable Performance

Inferior Polishing Process

The polishing process occurs at the end-faces of the assembly, best done by a machine in a highly controlled environment. There are MANY factors that contribute to a well-polished end-face. Improper techniques and tools will lead to improper radius of curvature, undercut fiber and protrusion that is out of specification. While these terms about the manufacturing process may be unfamiliar to data center technicians, they are VERY important to an assembly’s performance and network lifespan.

Many “nightmare” problems occur from the above, and the issues don’t show themselves until after they have been plugged in multiple times. You may be familiar with the phrase “chasing ghosts” – fiber may be causing a network issue, but is not considered when troubleshooting since it was working properly upon installation.

Non-Licensed Connectors or Poor Quality Connectors

Using inferior components leads to poor alignment. Alignment is critical for fiber optic end-face mating – improper alignment leads to a reduction of light passing from mated pairs. This really inhibits the performance of your cabling infrastructure!

We recommend the MTP® connector (shown above), which is the MPO-style connector manufactured by US Connec.

Inferior Glass

Fiber optic cabling is made from glass. If there are impurities in the glass, the performance will be affected. The glass could also be weak in some areas and be more prone to cracking or splintering during installation or general maintenance, again leading to a problem that is very difficult to track down!

Many view fiber optic cable assemblies as disposable commodities. I would argue that this approach leads to costing a business entity even more money in troubleshooting and downtime than if they would have invested in a well manufactured product, and utilized best practices when installing.

When fiber cable assemblies stop working properly, it can lead to downtime. In the next few posts I will explain how and why this actually happens. This will be broken into two parts: How it happens at the end user site, and how it occurs at the manufacturer level.

How Data Center Technicians Affect Fiber Optic Cable Performance

End-Face Contamination

Fiber optic assemblies are glass. If you get glass dirty, light is not able to pass through it as effectively. In the case of fiber optic cables, light is data. You can avoid this by inspecting the end-faces of cables, and clean them if needed. Do not plug in fiber cables that could be contaminated – they will contaminate the fiber it is mated with. (Watch this Cable Talk video to learn even more about contamination and how to avoid it.)

Violating Bend Radius

Bend radius is the minimum amount you can bend a fiber optic cable. When fiber cables are bent past the recommended limitation (set by the manufacturer), data loss is incurred. Too much loss, and you will experience downtime.

Using Excessive Pull Force During Install

Well built fiber assemblies are very strong. However, it is best practice to always handle with care! There are many pieces in an assembly, and pulling on it could lead to pieces becoming separated. This could lead to the failure of that cable.

Tying Down With Zip-Ties Too Tightly in Wrong Areas

Zip-ties tend to be cinched too tightly and pinch the fiber, which could then crack and cause a serious loss in data. Only use zip-ties on furcation points of multi-fiber trunks. That area is designed to withstand the force. Or, don’t use zip-ties at all – the best practice for tying down fiber optic cables is to use Velcro (example above), which decreases your chance of pinching the fiber.