HIGH DENSITY DATA CENTER CABLING GUIDE Optics DACs Cables Cable Management Fiber TAPs Media Converters
PROVIDING MTP CABLING SOLUTIONS FOR THE SMART DATA CENTER. APPROVED NETWORKS SETS THE STANDARD The industry authority on fiber optic connectivity, Approved Networks has been consistently delivering first-to-market compatibility solutions for over a decade, even in the most rigorous, optical networking environments. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Approved currently provides technical, logistical and sales support to over 3,000 clients in 30 countries. KEEPING PACE WITH GROWTH - THE SHIFT TO 40GB AND BEYOND Constant demand for more speed and bandwidth within the switch and server environments means data centers must keep evolving. The shift to 40/100G can be costly and choosing the correct fiber, polarity, connector and management system can be daunting. When it comes to infrastructure, a clear migration plan has become a necessity and, in many verticals, a matter of survival. Use this informational guide from Approved to gain a fundamental understanding of the cabling, connections and systems needed to achieve success in today s data centers. CABLING BASICS Approved jumpers come in many different varieties. These drawings show the basic difference between two of the most commonly used cables. DUPLEX FIBER The familiar duplex fiber standard in all data center facilities, the 1/10GB jumper, comes in 50/125um multimode (OM2, OM3, OM4, OM4+) and 9/125um singlemode. It has 4 flame ratings and is available in over 10 connectors, including LC, Uniboot, and SC. These cables can operate at speeds of over 100Gps (Think QSFP28-LR4 Single mode.) They re perfect for legacy applications as well as high speed, high bandwidth environments. MULTI-STRAND MTP FIBER Migration to multiple-strand fiber (Think 40Gbps and 100Gbps.) employs parallel optic technology. Multi-strand jumpers use MTP connectors for both 12-fiber (40/100G) and 24-fiber (100G). They come in standard, laser optimized 50/125um multimode (OM3, OM4, OM4+) and 9/125um singlemode. Male and female connectors vary with 8, 12, 20, and 24 fiber configurations. DUPLEX VS MULTIPLE STRAND FIBER 40/100GB optics means higher density connectivity in the switch. The added connectivity, however, can create congestion in your cabling. This cross-section comparison of the Duplex, 12 and 24 fiber cabling shows the spec savings achieved when using multi-strand fiber. DUPLEX 12 FIBER 24 FIBER 2 strands of glass Typically found in a zipcord construction Most often used between devices where a separate transmit and receive are required Available in multimode 50/125um (OM2, OM3, OM4, OM4+) and singlemode 9/125um 12 strands of glass Commonly used in 40G applications with high-density components Reduces space requirements by over 50% Available in multimode, laser optimized 50/125um (OM3, OM4, OM4+) and singlemode 9/25um NOTE: *40/100G QSFP optics use 8 of the 12 fibers in the cable 24 strands of glass Commonly used in 100G applications with high-density components Reduces space requirements by over 75% Available in multimode, laser optimized 50/125um (OM3, OM4, OM4+) and singlemode 9/25um NOTE: *100G CFP use 20 of the 24 fibers in the cable *MTP is a registered trademark of US Conec Ltd
FOR BEST PRACTICES AND EXPERT CONFIGURATION CALL 800.590.9535. MTP MULTIPLE STRAND CONNECTORS AND FIBER POLARITY Understanding 40/100GB connections and how they transmit through your network infrastructure is key to a successful migration. Polarity and fiber usage is more complex than it is with traditional cabling. Understanding basic connection and pinouts as described here will minimize potential for error. 12-FIBER 24-FIBER KEY-UP KEY-DOWN MALE FEMALE Approved uses only US Conec MTP connectors, which are high-performance MPO connectors engineered to improve optical and mechanical performance. MTP connectors are in compliance with all MPO standards, including EIA/TIA-604-5, FOCIS 5 and IEC-61754-7. They connect with all generic, compliant MPO-style connectors. 12 AND 24 FIBER CONNECTORS 12 fiber, single, in-line connector (shown left). Pins 1-6 are for Transmit (TX) and 7-12 are for Receive (RX). 24 fiber, dual, in-line connector (shown left). Pins 13-24 are for Transmit (TX) and 1-12 are for Receive (RX). PARALLEL OPTICS - 40GB (QSFP+) AND 100GB (QSFP28/CFP) CONNECTORS 40GB and 100GB Ethernet employ parallel optics. That means data is transmitted and received simultaneously on MTP interfaces through 10/25GB simplex transmission over each individual strand in the cable. Transmission methodology is determined by current IEEE channel/lane assignments for active equipment interfaces. 40/100GB 8-FIBER QSFP Pins 1-4 = Transmit (TX) Pins 9-12 = Receive (RX) Pins 5-8 = not used 100GB 20-FIBER CFP Pins 14-23 = Transmit (TX) Pins 2-11 = Receive (RX) Pins 1,12,13,24 = not used KEY = TX = RX = NOT USED POLARITY TYPES Polarity types A, B, C and Universal are available in 12 and 24 fiber options. Fiber optics rely on bi-directional transmissions where the transmitter port (TX) on one end connects to the receiver port (RX) on the other. Since fiber optic links require this two-way (duplex) connection, there is potential for error by connecting a TX to TX or RX to RX. Connectivity methods (A, B, C & Universal) now exist to help ensure easier, proper channel alignment during planning and installation. TYPE A POLARITY SIDE A KEY-UP SIDE B KEY-DOWN TYPE B POLARITY SIDE A KEY-UP SIDE B KEY-UP TYPE C POLARITY SIDE A KEY-UP SIDE B KEY-DOWN UNIVERSAL POLARITY SIDE A KEY-UP SIDE B KEY-DOWN POLARITY A CHANNEL ALIGNMENT - Opposing connectors have the same fiber channel positions except one end is key-up and the other is key-down. 12 FIBER SEQUENCE SHOWN Side A Channels: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Side B Channels: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 POLARITY B CHANNEL ALIGNMENT - Opposing connectors are both key-up with the fiber channel positions reversed at each end. 24 FIBER SEQUENCE SHOWN Side A Channels: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Side 5 Channels: 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 POLARITY C CHANNEL ALIGNMENT - Opposing connectors are key-up and key-down with the adjacent fiber channel pairs alternating - channels 1 to 2 and 2 to 1, 3 to 4 and 4 to 3, etc. 12 FIBER SEQUENCE SHOWN Side A Channels: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Side B Channels: 2 1 4 3 6 5 8 7 10 9 12 11 UNIVERSAL POLARITY CHANNEL ALIGNMENT - Channel alignment is the same as Polarity B except the opposing connectors are key-up and key-down. 12 FIBER SEQUENCE SHOWN Side A Channels: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Side B Channels: 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
CONFIGURING CUSTOM CABLING SOLUTIONS FOR THE SMART DATA CENTER. MTP BREAKOUT CABLES Breakout cables are a vital part of today s data center. Available in either multimode or singlemode with multiple connector options, Approved MTP breakout cables provide an ideal solution for patch panels, data distribution and transceiver routing in current 40GB and 100GB environments. All Approved breakout cables are customizable, including: Fiber type Distance Polish type Fiber count Breakout lengths Polarity method Connectors Flame rating Labeling 12 FIBER Connector A: MTP Connector B: Uniboot, LC (shown), MU, FC, msfp, SC and ST RoHs UL EIA/TIA Male or Female 8 A B C Universal 8 FIBER QSFP+ Connector A: MTP Connector B: Uniboot, LC (shown), MU, FC, msfp, SC and ST RoHs UL EIA/TIA Female 8 Universal 24 FIBER Connector A: MTP Connector B: Uniboot (shown), LC, MU, FC, msfp, SC and ST RoHs UL EIA/TIA Male or Female 8 A B C Universal 20 FIBER CFP Connector A: MTP Connector B: Uniboot (shown), LC, MU, FC, msfp, SC and ST RoHs UL EIA/TIA Female 8 Universal * NOTES: OM4+ extends above configuration distances to 600 meters at 10Gps. OM5 is designed to support at least four low-cost wavelengths in the 850-950 nm range, enabling optimal support of emerging Shortwave Wavelength Division Multiplexing (SWDM) applications that reduce parallel fiber count by at least a factor of four to allow continued use of just two fibers (rather than eight) for transmitting 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s and reduced fiber counts for higher speeds.
FOR BEST PRACTICES AND EXPERT CONFIGURATION CALL 800.590.9535. HIGH-DENSITY HYDRA FIBER TRUNK CABLES With emerging 40GB and 100GB data center environments, high-density port configurations test the limits of cable design and installation. Approved s pre-terminated trunk cables offer a streamlined approach to network design by reducing the number of individual components in the structured cabling system. Approved s fiber team specializes in simplifying this complex road map, offering expert analysis with every customizable option available today, including: Fiber type Diameter Polarity method Pulling type Fiber count Distance Polish type Color Connectors Breakout lengths Flame rating Labeling TRUNK CABLE SHOWN: A - MTP Female (X4) B - Uniboot (X24) 48 Fiber PULLING: Pulling Eye - outdoor Pulling Mesh - indoor None A B C Universal RoHs UL EIA/TIA TRUNK FIBER OPTIONS: 12 fiber 24 fiber 36 fiber 48 fiber 72 fiber 96 fiber 144 fiber LABELING OPTIONS: WHERE: Bag Cable Kit HOW: Logo Serial Number Barcode Fiber by Unit and/or Subunit Length Port Number Instructions Custom * NOTE: OM4+ extends above configur ation distance to 600 meters at 10Gps. POLISH OPTIONS: CONNECTOR OPTIONS: PC <-35dB back reflection MTP Multimode - UPC Singlemode - APC LC Uniboot Multimode - UPC or PC Singlemode - UPC or APC LC Multimode - UPC or PC Singlemode - UPC or APC Mini LC Multimode - UPC or PC Singlemode - UPC or APC UPC <-55dB back reflection APC <-65dB back reflection SC Multimode - UPC or PC Singlemode - UPC or APC FC Multimode - UPC Singlemode - APC ST Multimode - UPC Singlemode - APC
PROVIDING CABLE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR THE SMART DATA CENTER. INCREASE FUNCTIONALITY WHILE SAVING ON SPACE AND BUDGET Approved cable management systems are designed to provide efficient, functional organization of fiber optic hardware in data centers, premise installations and telecommunication networks, making termination and management of fiber optic connectivity cost-effective, simple and intuitive. ADAPTER COUPLERS MTP to MTP LC to LC SC to SC MTP ADAPTER LC ADAPTER SC ADAPTER Adapter couplers plug into 6, 8 or 12 port adapter plates to provide fiber extension capabilities or for single-mode to multi-mode conversion. Additional adapter options available upon request. ADAPTER PLATES 6 Port (shown right) 8 Port 12 Port ADAPTER PLATE Approved adapter plates house combinations of LC, SC, and MTP adapter couplers and offer a 6, 8, or 12 port extension or cross connect solutions. Adapter Plates interface with Approved sliding patch panels. MTP CASSETTES 12 Fiber MTP 24 Fiber MTP 12 /24 FIBER 24 FIBER 24 FIBER MTP adapter cassettes allow for conversion from LC or SC connections to a 12 or 24 fiber MTP connection. Available in polarity A, B, C, and Universal (Corning). SLIDING RACK PANELS 1U - 3 plates or cassettes 2U - 6 plates or cassettes 3U - 9 plates or cassettes 4U - 12 plates or cassettes 1U 2U 3U 4U SLIDING PATCH PANELS Approved rack mount fiber optic sliding patch panels house adapter plates and cassettes. Available in 1U (3 plate capacity) up to 4U (12 plate capacity) providing flexibility to your data center or network. Pivoting and Ultra Slim rack panels available upon request.
FOR BEST PRACTICES AND EXPERT CONFIGURATION CALL 800.590.9535. CONFIGURING A SMART DATA CENTER - WITH PRODUCTS FROM APPROVED Approved s high-performance bundled cable solutions are designed for best-in-class data center cabling installations. Approved can provide a complete fiber offering, including: optical transceivers, jumpers, cables, adapter plates, cassettes and enclosures, as seen in the sample configurations below. BASIC CONFIGURATION Switch - 40GB QSFP - MTP to Uniboot LCs (X4) - 10GB SFP - Switch LIFETIME WARRANTY All Approved Networks transceivers, DACs and fiber optic cables come with an industry leading lifetime warranty and toll-free technical support. 40GB CONFIGURATION Switch - 40GB QSFP - MTP to MTP - Cassette - Panel - Uniboot LCs (X4) - 10GB SFP - Switch DATA CENTER CERTIFIED Approved s entire product line has been certified compliant within the data center environment and appears on the AVL of most major telecom and technology corporations. 100GB CONFIGURATION Switch - 100GB QSFP28 - MTP/ MTP - Adapter Plate - MTP/Uniboot LCs (X4) - 25GB SFP28(X4) - Switch GUARANTEED COMPATIBLE Approved Networks products are tested within their intended system in Approved s Environmental Test Lab ensuring 100% guaranteed compatibility.
800.590.9535 310.341.2599 approvednetworks.com sales@approvednetworks.com Approved Networks offers a full line of transceivers, cables, DACs (available in passive, active twinax and active optical) and cable management systems. P-10003 rev6 FIELD PRINTABLE 5.18 Approved Optics 2018