The Introduction of Multi-Fiber Cables in the Data Center

A long time ago in a data center far away, only a few fiber connections were needed. Over the years, the need for data has increased. And “increased” is an understatement. The need for data ports in the data center has grown exponentially, skyrocketed, blown up, and just got plain out of hand! With this increase, the technology and construction of fiber cabling has also changed just as dramatically.

This brings us to our blog topic of multi-fiber cables in the data center. In plain language, multi-fiber cables are just that: cables with multiple fibers in them. They’re also referred to as fiber optic trunks. In the past, fiber optic “jumpers” or patch cords have been used to connect hardware. The patch cables are essentially single connection points with two fibers inside the outer jacket. That was fine when there were only a few ports, but with the hundreds and thousands of ports data centers now contain, patch cables are an ineffective way to manage your cabling infrastructure. That is where multi-fiber cables come in!

Benefits of Multi-Fiber Cables in the Data Center

Since fiber optic cabling is not affected by cross talk or outside interference, the fibers can be condensed into groups that greatly reduce the overall footprint of the cable. This means a lot in a data center, where space is at a premium. It blocks less air from the CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioner), thus improving the energy efficiency dramatically. Multi-fiber cables also reduce installation and maintenance time by making cable identification easier. Fiber optic trunks, or multi-fiber assemblies, are also more rugged and can withstand more abuse during installation and maintenance.

To get a better understanding of this product type, have a look at our Skinny-Trunk Multi-fiber assemblies.

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.

Okay, it might be an exaggeration to say our cables are bullet-proof, but did you know that our fiber trunks contain Kevlar®? Check out the picture to the left – you can see the yellow fibers within a deconstructed cable.

Yes, the same material that can be found in an officer’s body armor to protect his or her life can be found in fiber trunk cables. Kevlar® is an exceptionally strong material that looks like horse hair or a tightly spun web. The weave of the Kevlar® is made so strong it’s literally unbreakable by the human hand.

Since it’s so flexible, the Kevlar® material makes for a perfect guardian around delicate fibers, yet making the trunk itself very durable. Also, the Kevlar® keeps everything on the inside in its place, but allows for flexibility when routing cables around bends inside of a data center. The fibers inside of the jacket can take on several stresses by outside forces, so when Kevlar® is utilized, it will ensure peak performance of the fiber trunk itself.

In the latest episode of Cable Talk™, I talk about the ANSI/BICSI 002-2011 standard that covers data center design, cabling, structured cabling design, power, cooling, and other topics. The importance of cabling when planning or upgrading a data center is critical in both fiber optic and copper cabling alike.

You know the signs in restrooms that read “Employees Must Wash Hands”? Well, before cabling up your network, you should always clean your fiber optic cabling connectors to ensure optimum performance. A pretty simple science if you ask me…but a lot of fiber installers are unaware of the importance of cleaning cable connectors before deploying in the network space.

As next-gen data centers continue to evolve, ensuring that your fiber is properly performing will only grow in importance. Dirt and scratches on your fiber connectors can negatively impact your overall network: contamination can lead to link loss and even create downtime. And if you have watched our “Cable Talk” episodes, you already know that “Nobody likes downtime!”

So how can you take care of this problem? Check out our One Click Cleaner. It’s an inexpensive way to confirm your fiber cabling is working to the best of its ability. It is available several styles for MPO, LC, SC and ST style connectors. Check out this quick video to see how they work. And always remember, inspect, clean, and inspect again folks! Happy Cabling!