2015年6月29日星期一
Why Is Cable Management Necessary for Data Center Cabling?
In the communication world, whether data center or field cabling, there are many excellent cabling which make us feel amazing. They look like the art works of a great master, and show the beauty of the cabling world thoroughly. However, if you have experience in data center or serve room, you may find that the cabling state near large switches or routers is very horrible. Cables, both Ethernet cables or fibers, are a nightmare if they aren’t carefully organized, not only because they look bad, but also they are not easy to management, or even exist potential safety problems. Thus, cable management is of great importance and necessity. Of course, you will get the appropriate return—efficient cable management and maintenance as well as clever pieces of modern art, if you have a good cable management solution. This is why many large data center operators are strict with their cabling for better maintenance or further extension.
The following examples show how easily server room cabling can turn into a nightmare without an organized methodology to the madness.
1-mess-workstation
One workstation. One giant mess. I really can’t imagine how people work in such situation.
2-mess-cable-management-systems
This server looks like it ate something that didn’t agree with it. I know, servers don’t eat, but you know what I mean.
3-spiderweb
A big yellow spiderweb. Masterpiece of Spider-Man?
4-mess-cabling
Where is the port on the switch?
5-mess-cabling
Let’s play and find the bad yellow cable.
So tired of cable messes? Want to get rid of nightmare and headache? No shortcuts, Cable Management is necessary.
frustrated-guy-cabling
Adding cable management is often seen as a “would be nice if” type of scenario. However, some operators may consider it as an extra cost and are not willing to do it. In fact, the cost of cable management, including cable management products and labor, is just a drop in the bucket. But you will find the value of cable management soon during your maintenance as it makes ongoing maintenance much, much easier. And there is another fact that the cabling work won’t stop with the initial installation. More cables will be added, and things will be changed. Thus, labeling appropriate cables, color-code cables and other processes to make easier to identify cables are also necessary.
Though individually labeling over a thousand cables may be a very time-consuming process, it is certainly worthy. Every network engineer will thank themselves for labeling each cable when there is an issue with a specific cable, as the individual can immediately pinpoint and pick out the affected cable by looking at its label. Leaving cables unlabeled is a disaster as the operator can not know which the affected cable is and he or she has to waste time and energy to find the source of the problem. In addition, engineers should also tie a pack of cables together depending on their component. For example, ten Ethernet cables connected to a router should be tied up, preventing them to be mixed up with another pack of Ethernet cables that are connected to another router.
The commonly used cable management products include open frame rack, rack cabinet shelves, network cabinet, patch panel, cable ties, cable markers/labels, wire loom and so on. They are necessary to use for a good cable management. In addition, the most important factor to achieve good cable management is the skilled cabling installers. They know how to get the best performance of your cabling and even can create arts of cabling.
Here is a few pictures which I think show how cabling can be works of art. Yes, it is all in the eye of the beholder, cabling is beautiful!
6-plana-cabling-art
A beautiful planar cable arrangement, no racks, just using clamps.
7-unbelievable-art
Unbelievable! It is a real art, not cabling, right?
8-cabling-color
Can also be colorful, just like the rainbow.
9-big-tree-cabling
To draw a big tree between two racks is also a good idea.
10-snake-cabling
Cabling also can be so unbelievably sexy, with S-shape body.
Of course, a good cable management is not used for ornamental, it is a method to make our cabling more easier to manage. If cable management were easy, there would be no need for superior cabling solutions. But the fact is that cables of data centers will be more and more, a cable management solution is always necessary.
Tags: cable cabinet, Cable Management, cable ties, cable wire marker, open frame rack, wire loom
Cable Ties – Not as Simple as You Think
Who Is the Offender to Destroy the Fiber Cables?
In cabling system, both fibers or coppers are required cable management. Except the necessary rack, frame or panel, cable ties are also a necessary part of cable management. When we think of cable ties, the first impression may be the little plastic strips with self-locking, maybe with different colors. Many people do not care whether they choose a right cable tie or not, because they think that all the cable ties are the same as long as meeting the tying cable requirements. Are they pretty much the same? Actually, cable ties are not as simple as you think. From materials and size to construction and temperature rating, cable ties can have a wide range of features which allow them to be specialized to different situations.
Cable ties have to be able to meet the most varied demands these days as they are used in the widest range of operations – from the simple bundling of cables with cable ties to the absolutely specific use of cable ties under extreme conditions. Thus, many factors are taken into consideration during the design of cable ties.
Construction
Cable ties can be classified as either one-piece or two-piece construction. One-piece cable ties typically have a plastic locking device molded into the head of the tie. The locking device ratchets the notched strap to tighten and lock. This design has a lower cost of manufacturing and is used for general-purpose applications around home or office. Compared to one-piece cable ties, two-piece cable ties are with higher performance. They consist of a stainless-steel locking device embedded into the head of the tie, and a smooth locking strap. This design offers high tensile strength, and resistance to mechanical and environmental stress for applications that require greater performance than what a general-purpose cable tie offers. In addition, the smooth, infinitely adjustable strap also allows for the exact bundled tightness. The head of the two-piece cable tie engages the strap when installed, and permanently locks in place. With a lower profile and smoother cross-section, the uniform cross-section distributes stress across the strap more evenly than with one-piece cable ties. Thus, the two-piece cable ties are more resistant to brittleness and breakage in harsh environments, particularly appropriate for harsh conditions, such as ultraviolet exposure, extreme temperature, and exposure to moisture or chemicals, as well as for applications where retrofitting is not an option.
Material
The material design of different cable ties also needs to consider for different application, such as occurring indoors or outdoors; the environment’s temperature range; the presence of moisture, chemicals and radiation; flammability issues; and cost. Cable ties are available in a wide range of materials, each with its own specific properties. Among them, the most common type is Nylon cable ties. Nylon ties can offer good resistance to weather and ultraviolet rays in lower-temperature environments. In addition, for applications in harsher environments that require extra durability in the face of heat, chemicals and other corrosive elements, there are stainless-steel cable ties.
Special Features
Though the standard-design cable ties can meet most of our requirements, sometimes, we still need something special for special applications. For instance, most cable ties lock permanently, but sometimes, we would prefer to looking for a cable-tying solution that can be undone without actual cutting. Then, releasable cable ties have been launched in the market. In a releasable cable tie, the built-in locking tab can actually be disengaged, allowing the tail end of the tie to be pulled free from the head. Releasable cable ties tend to cost a little more than the standard type, but they save money and are more eco-friendly in the long run because you can reuse them over and over, as opposed to just throwing them away. Additionally, for different special applications, there are mounted head cable ties, marker ties, etc.
Color
The most commonly used cable ties are white and black. But colorful cable ties are also popular with users. These cable ties with rainbow colors are very useful when you are trying to color-code your cables, or just want to match the ties to your equipment. Moreover, you can use different cable ties to mark different cables bunch which is convenient for cable management.
Size
When using cable ties, you should also consider the size and shape. First, be sure to measure the diameter of the cable bundle you’ll be tying and decide the length. In general, to buy cable ties with a little longer length is better. Because no one will want to find out at the last minute that the cable ties are too short to use. In addition to length, width or shape are also important considerations to choose optimal cable ties for your cable bunch.
We may see that some users use random ties to tie cables. It is a non-standard practice in cabling. Cable ties, though, are only used to tie cables, they’re not as simple as you think. A right cable ties can help you reduce many issues during the cabling and maintenance. In a word, the benefits of cable ties cannot be underestimated once you choose a right cable ties.
In cabling system, both fibers or coppers are required cable management. Except the necessary rack, frame or panel, cable ties are also a necessary part of cable management. When we think of cable ties, the first impression may be the little plastic strips with self-locking, maybe with different colors. Many people do not care whether they choose a right cable tie or not, because they think that all the cable ties are the same as long as meeting the tying cable requirements. Are they pretty much the same? Actually, cable ties are not as simple as you think. From materials and size to construction and temperature rating, cable ties can have a wide range of features which allow them to be specialized to different situations.
Cable ties have to be able to meet the most varied demands these days as they are used in the widest range of operations – from the simple bundling of cables with cable ties to the absolutely specific use of cable ties under extreme conditions. Thus, many factors are taken into consideration during the design of cable ties.
Construction
Cable ties can be classified as either one-piece or two-piece construction. One-piece cable ties typically have a plastic locking device molded into the head of the tie. The locking device ratchets the notched strap to tighten and lock. This design has a lower cost of manufacturing and is used for general-purpose applications around home or office. Compared to one-piece cable ties, two-piece cable ties are with higher performance. They consist of a stainless-steel locking device embedded into the head of the tie, and a smooth locking strap. This design offers high tensile strength, and resistance to mechanical and environmental stress for applications that require greater performance than what a general-purpose cable tie offers. In addition, the smooth, infinitely adjustable strap also allows for the exact bundled tightness. The head of the two-piece cable tie engages the strap when installed, and permanently locks in place. With a lower profile and smoother cross-section, the uniform cross-section distributes stress across the strap more evenly than with one-piece cable ties. Thus, the two-piece cable ties are more resistant to brittleness and breakage in harsh environments, particularly appropriate for harsh conditions, such as ultraviolet exposure, extreme temperature, and exposure to moisture or chemicals, as well as for applications where retrofitting is not an option.
Material
The material design of different cable ties also needs to consider for different application, such as occurring indoors or outdoors; the environment’s temperature range; the presence of moisture, chemicals and radiation; flammability issues; and cost. Cable ties are available in a wide range of materials, each with its own specific properties. Among them, the most common type is Nylon cable ties. Nylon ties can offer good resistance to weather and ultraviolet rays in lower-temperature environments. In addition, for applications in harsher environments that require extra durability in the face of heat, chemicals and other corrosive elements, there are stainless-steel cable ties.
Special Features
Though the standard-design cable ties can meet most of our requirements, sometimes, we still need something special for special applications. For instance, most cable ties lock permanently, but sometimes, we would prefer to looking for a cable-tying solution that can be undone without actual cutting. Then, releasable cable ties have been launched in the market. In a releasable cable tie, the built-in locking tab can actually be disengaged, allowing the tail end of the tie to be pulled free from the head. Releasable cable ties tend to cost a little more than the standard type, but they save money and are more eco-friendly in the long run because you can reuse them over and over, as opposed to just throwing them away. Additionally, for different special applications, there are mounted head cable ties, marker ties, etc.
Color
The most commonly used cable ties are white and black. But colorful cable ties are also popular with users. These cable ties with rainbow colors are very useful when you are trying to color-code your cables, or just want to match the ties to your equipment. Moreover, you can use different cable ties to mark different cables bunch which is convenient for cable management.
Size
When using cable ties, you should also consider the size and shape. First, be sure to measure the diameter of the cable bundle you’ll be tying and decide the length. In general, to buy cable ties with a little longer length is better. Because no one will want to find out at the last minute that the cable ties are too short to use. In addition to length, width or shape are also important considerations to choose optimal cable ties for your cable bunch.
We may see that some users use random ties to tie cables. It is a non-standard practice in cabling. Cable ties, though, are only used to tie cables, they’re not as simple as you think. A right cable ties can help you reduce many issues during the cabling and maintenance. In a word, the benefits of cable ties cannot be underestimated once you choose a right cable ties.
Who Is the Offender to Destroy the Fiber Cables?
Ever since fiber cables have been applied to the communication network, the fiber footprints cover all over the world. Fiber cables are essential components of nearly all modern computer and communications systems. They’re like the veins of the global communication systems, buried and aerial paths, even under the ocean. Fiber cables are all around us and incessantly supply the information and data to us. However, there is an annoying thing that once the fiber cables were damaged or cut, it may cause a big loss because of the network disruption. So, who is the offender to destroy fiber cables? This paper will tell you the truth, but unfortunately, there may be more than one.
Construction
Construction companies and excavators seem like the natural enemy of buried cables. Construction comes in many forms. Backhoes, post-hole augers and even hand shovels can all bring network traffic to a halt by severing your fiber optic cable. You would think that they would have called someone and tried to make sure they weren’t cutting into something dangerous like gas or oil. But ironically, they never do that before they dig.
1.construction
Nature & Weather
The biggest offender to destroy fiber cables are nature and extreme weather conditions. Hurricanes, mud slides, flood and ice storms etc. natural disaster and extreme weather are nightmare not only to our personal life and property, but also the fiber cables. We can make snowman and go skating in colder climates. What a pleasant thing! However, at this time, the frontline cable engineer must to do an emergency network repair under such harsh conditions in order to avoid additional damage and downtime. Because water that enters a splice enclosure can freeze, crushing the fiber strands and leaving you with a costly network outage. Additionally, lightning is also a factor to destroy fiber cables. When lightning strikes the ground, it will search for the best conductor available, even if it’s underground. If that happens to be the armor or trace-wire of your fiber cable, then damage to the cable sheath and even the fiber itself is very likely.
2.icesplicethumb
Artificial Destruction
Here humans refers to the people who steal the fiber. They cut the fiber thinking it has value and can be sold in pieces. The most classical event is that a 75 year-old woman in Georgia (country in Asia) was digging with her spade, looking for copper, which she wanted to sell for scrap, when she accidentally cut the fiber optic cable that provided internet to 90% of Armenia. It is ridiculous. It is fiber but not copper! In addition, people vandalize the fiber cable in other ways, e.g. for gun practice. This especailly happens in the rough parts of town which makes the cable repair work become dangerous. Furthermore, land disputes which causes artificial malicious damage of fiber is also a fiber damage reason.
3.human
Animals Chew & Bite
We can try to reason with humans and publicize our buried fiber cable, but there is nothing we can do about the cable damage causing by animals. Squirrel, a furry little nut eater, seems to be deeply fond of fiber cable sheathing besides nuts. We even doubt that the cable manufacturers of using peanut oil in the sheathing. Since they have a life-long drive to gnaw, squirrel is often responsible for extensive damage to fiber optic cable. Even metal armored cable can get cut in two by this furry critter. In addition, undersea cables aren’t exempt from cuts. Because there is another animal under ocean like to bite cables. It is shark. Why shark would like to eat fiber cables? Effect by magnetic fields is one of the explaining at present. We have no idea how we can combat these wayward rodents. Now, only thing we can do is always looking for ways to improve.
4animals-chew
Vehicle Damage
This is an unimaginable thing why vehicle will damage the fiber cable. Vehicle, here mainly refers to big trucks, or maybe small airplane. From people running into telephone poles to truckers underestimating the height of their rigs – it’s all part of the problem. For example, a cable damage accident causing by a truck happened in Pennsylvania. A trucker got lost and accidently turned down a residential street. His rig got tangled up in a mess of overhead phone cables. But that didn’t stop him! He kept pushing forward until his rig was tied up like a Christmas present. He was dragging a 20 foot section of broken telephone pole down the street before he stopped to see what was impeding his progress. To address this situation, we can forbid trucks from entering the residential street or city by limiting the height of the vehicles. However, accident always happens with all kinds of tricks, e.g. a small airplane will destroy the fiber cables. This happened in California. A small airplane was attempting to land at the Burbank International Airport and overshot the runway and crashed in a residential area. It clipped the poles that the aerial fiber was attached to, causing everything to come down. Though it is just a small probability event, it really refresh the record of fiber cut causing by vehicle.
5.Vehicle Damage
Cable Protection, Repair and Recovery
During all of these bizarre and annoying causes of fiber damage, no matter artificial destruction, natural disasters, animals, or even impossible odds, we may never know in advance which will happen, and even can’t blame it. Only thing we can do is to take a good protection for our fiber cables. Waterproof fiber cables, armored fiber cables and the other outdoor cables which are designed to protect fibers in a harsh application environment are widely used in this field. Of course, more better protection methods will be developed in the future. In fact, there are some force majeure factors which cause signal loss and cut the network. Repairs and recovery service are necessary. There is a group of people who are willing to get down into the trenches in the first time, make the necessary repairs and recovery service every time when network is down. They are great and worthy of respect.
6.repair&restore
Construction
Construction companies and excavators seem like the natural enemy of buried cables. Construction comes in many forms. Backhoes, post-hole augers and even hand shovels can all bring network traffic to a halt by severing your fiber optic cable. You would think that they would have called someone and tried to make sure they weren’t cutting into something dangerous like gas or oil. But ironically, they never do that before they dig.
1.construction
Nature & Weather
The biggest offender to destroy fiber cables are nature and extreme weather conditions. Hurricanes, mud slides, flood and ice storms etc. natural disaster and extreme weather are nightmare not only to our personal life and property, but also the fiber cables. We can make snowman and go skating in colder climates. What a pleasant thing! However, at this time, the frontline cable engineer must to do an emergency network repair under such harsh conditions in order to avoid additional damage and downtime. Because water that enters a splice enclosure can freeze, crushing the fiber strands and leaving you with a costly network outage. Additionally, lightning is also a factor to destroy fiber cables. When lightning strikes the ground, it will search for the best conductor available, even if it’s underground. If that happens to be the armor or trace-wire of your fiber cable, then damage to the cable sheath and even the fiber itself is very likely.
2.icesplicethumb
Artificial Destruction
Here humans refers to the people who steal the fiber. They cut the fiber thinking it has value and can be sold in pieces. The most classical event is that a 75 year-old woman in Georgia (country in Asia) was digging with her spade, looking for copper, which she wanted to sell for scrap, when she accidentally cut the fiber optic cable that provided internet to 90% of Armenia. It is ridiculous. It is fiber but not copper! In addition, people vandalize the fiber cable in other ways, e.g. for gun practice. This especailly happens in the rough parts of town which makes the cable repair work become dangerous. Furthermore, land disputes which causes artificial malicious damage of fiber is also a fiber damage reason.
3.human
Animals Chew & Bite
We can try to reason with humans and publicize our buried fiber cable, but there is nothing we can do about the cable damage causing by animals. Squirrel, a furry little nut eater, seems to be deeply fond of fiber cable sheathing besides nuts. We even doubt that the cable manufacturers of using peanut oil in the sheathing. Since they have a life-long drive to gnaw, squirrel is often responsible for extensive damage to fiber optic cable. Even metal armored cable can get cut in two by this furry critter. In addition, undersea cables aren’t exempt from cuts. Because there is another animal under ocean like to bite cables. It is shark. Why shark would like to eat fiber cables? Effect by magnetic fields is one of the explaining at present. We have no idea how we can combat these wayward rodents. Now, only thing we can do is always looking for ways to improve.
4animals-chew
Vehicle Damage
This is an unimaginable thing why vehicle will damage the fiber cable. Vehicle, here mainly refers to big trucks, or maybe small airplane. From people running into telephone poles to truckers underestimating the height of their rigs – it’s all part of the problem. For example, a cable damage accident causing by a truck happened in Pennsylvania. A trucker got lost and accidently turned down a residential street. His rig got tangled up in a mess of overhead phone cables. But that didn’t stop him! He kept pushing forward until his rig was tied up like a Christmas present. He was dragging a 20 foot section of broken telephone pole down the street before he stopped to see what was impeding his progress. To address this situation, we can forbid trucks from entering the residential street or city by limiting the height of the vehicles. However, accident always happens with all kinds of tricks, e.g. a small airplane will destroy the fiber cables. This happened in California. A small airplane was attempting to land at the Burbank International Airport and overshot the runway and crashed in a residential area. It clipped the poles that the aerial fiber was attached to, causing everything to come down. Though it is just a small probability event, it really refresh the record of fiber cut causing by vehicle.
5.Vehicle Damage
Cable Protection, Repair and Recovery
During all of these bizarre and annoying causes of fiber damage, no matter artificial destruction, natural disasters, animals, or even impossible odds, we may never know in advance which will happen, and even can’t blame it. Only thing we can do is to take a good protection for our fiber cables. Waterproof fiber cables, armored fiber cables and the other outdoor cables which are designed to protect fibers in a harsh application environment are widely used in this field. Of course, more better protection methods will be developed in the future. In fact, there are some force majeure factors which cause signal loss and cut the network. Repairs and recovery service are necessary. There is a group of people who are willing to get down into the trenches in the first time, make the necessary repairs and recovery service every time when network is down. They are great and worthy of respect.
6.repair&restore
Why Do We Need Optical Fiber to Get to the “Cloud”?
In the past several decades, technologies have evolved almost immeasurably, certainly including the development of data storage. Humankind has always tried to find ways to store information. People have become accustomed to technological terminology, such as CD-ROM, USB Key, and DVD. But today, the most advanced storage solution may be the cloud computing. About how to achieve the “cloud”, some people say that optical fiber is the key to cloud computing. So, what is cloud computing and why do we need optical fiber to get there? Today, we are going to the “Cloud” and find the out answer.
evolution-of-memory-storage
What Is Cloud Computing and Why Is It Called as “Cloud”?
CloudComputingThough the term “cloud computing” is everywhere and closely linked with our life, we do not really know what it is just like many terminologies that we don’t know. However, unlike other terminologies, we are more interested in cloud computing because of its attractive features, applications or maybe the interesting name. Why is it called as “cloud” but not “rain” or “snow”? The most simple explanation is that we usually use “cloud” to represent the network. “Cloud” the term describes an image of the complex infrastructure, which cover all the technical details. Obviously, the cloud computing has nothing to do with the weather “cloud”. It is just an analogy to give it a body to imagine. In fact, cloud computing is a model for computing transforming. In this model, data and computation are operated somewhere in a “cloud”, which is some collection of data centers owned and maintained by a third party. This enables ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.
There are public cloud, private public and hybrid cloud. When a cloud is made available in a pay-as-you-go manner to the general public, we call it a public cloud. And when the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for a business or an organization, it is called private cloud. A composition of public and private cloud is called hybrid cloud. A hybrid cloud integrates the advantages of public cloud and private cloud, where private cloud is able to maintain high service availability by scaling up their system with externally provisioned resources from a public cloud when there are rapid workload fluctuations or hardware failures.
Generally, cloud computing may be considered to include the following layers of service: IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service) and SaaS (Software as a Service).
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) – Offering web-based access to storage and computing power. Consumer can get service from a full computer infrastructure through the Internet.
IaaS Examples: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine (GCE), Joyent.
PaaS (Platform as a Service) – Giving developers the tools to build and host web applications.
PaaS Examples: Apprend, Microsoft Azure.
SaaS (Software as a Service) – Applications that are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser.
SaaS Examples: Google Apps, Salesforce, Workday, Concur, Citrix GoToMeeting, Cisco WebEx.
Optical Fiber Is the Key to the “Cloud”
Cloud-ComputingThe implementation of cloud computing depends on high bandwidth. If without an enough bandwidth, cloud computing is impossible. In the “cloud”, users’ terminals are simplified into a pure and single device with only input and output functions but meanwhile utilize the powerful computing and processing functions from the “cloud”. This means that the terminal must have a very fast connection, because the simple terminal means fast network and powerful platform requirement, where “pipes” are put forward higher requirement. Thus, fiber is the ideal “pipe” for cloud computing.
In fact, increasingly more computer applications, software and even file storage now reside on the Internet or in the “cloud”. Yet another driving force is mobile Internet traffic, which relies heavily on cloud computing. It is said that there is over 1 Exabyte (i.e. 1,073,741,824 Gigabytes) of data currently stored in the cloud. And this number is growing exponentially every day. The greatest thing that will limit your ability to work seemlessly in the “cloud” is your Internet connection. Thus, to access the tremendous amounts data we need fiber networks that can carry Terabits—one trillion bits per second. Optical fiber can offer more available bandwidth and speed which meets the demands of the “cloud”. Obviously, no technology is more effective at meeting that challenge than fiber at present.
FTTH and Cloud Computing
When talking about optical fiber, FTTH (Fiber to the Home) may be the hot topic. FTTH infrastructure is expected as a solution to the growing demands for high bandwidth. It brings fiber-optic connections directly into homes, allowing for delivery speeds up to a possible 100 Mbps, or even more. These speeds open the door to a variety of new services and applications for residential, business and public service markets. The relationship between FTTH and cloud computing is subtle. FTTH which will encourage growth in cloud computing with its benefits. And the growth of cloud computing may drive the development of FTTH.
The Future
cloud-computingCloud computing is seen by many as the next generation of information technology. The abundant supply of information technology capabilities offers many benefits to our lives. However, like any new technology advancement, cloud computing also faces many challenges, e.g. cloud security. Though there are many unknown factors in the “cloud” waiting for us to explore, it is no doubt that we need optical fibers in order to better reach the “cloud”. Now, with the benefits of optical fibers, the cloud computing is increasingly developing. Will it automatically work out better and cheaper for you in the long term? What’s your opinion?
2015年6月28日星期日
GPON SYSTEM FOR FTTX APPLICATION
With increasing bandwidth requirements, modern-day businesses are faced with tough decisions on what to do with the existing cabling within the building. As speeds increase to 1 Gbps to the desktop, new Category 6 copper cables are often recommended for better transmission characteristics. However, replacing the cables with new Category 6 cabling is a labor intensive and costly undertaking. And it’s sure that bandwidth requirements will continue to grow and eventually exceed 1 Gbps and drive toward 10 Gbps.
The logical alternative is to install a fiber-based distribution network that can handle speeds well beyond 1 Gbps, that is, Fiber-To-The-Desktop (FTTD). For the FTTD, you have to choose the best optical technologies: Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) based optical technologies. This blog introduces the concept of using GPON for FTTD applications to serve the needs of the modern-day business.
Introduction
Today’s corporate networks, government facilities and military installations are built using two, and sometimes three, separate copper architectures: One to carry data (typically a Category 5 copper network), a second to carry voice (typically a Category 3 copper network), and in some cases a third where coax delivers video. New technologies such as GPON are fully capable of supporting all of these services on a single fiber distribution architecture. The copper deployment model creates an environment that in today’s technology is wasteful and inefficient to maintain. GPON allows an operator to effectively deliver all of these services with the right user experience. Its QoS and high bandwidth capabilities are the mechanisms needed to converge voice, video and data all onto the same fiber optic network allowing more efficient maintenance, cabling and overall performance.
In addition to the installation of more switches and routers to address the continuous rise in bandwidth, redundant networks and equipment requirements have led to crowded equipment rooms, complex wiring closets and increased HVAC requirements. Converging all of these services onto a single GPON distribution platform provides the bandwidth needed while significantly reducing the equipment, cabling and power required.
Already deployed by many telecommunications carriers, GPON has quickly established itself as the worldwide standard for delivering voice, data and video. Among other benefits, GPON provides an enormous amount of bandwidth—2.5Gbps downstream and 1.25Gbps upstream—over a single strand of glass.
The PON technology consists of an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) in the data center and a series of Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) at or near the user’s desktop. Starting at the OLT, voice and data are transformed from an electrical format into optical signals. This traffic is then sent over the fiber optic network to the appropriate ONT, where it is separated back into electrical voice and data. This architecture uses purely passive optical components such as optical splitters between the OLT and ONT, further reducing the chance of equipment failure.
GPON Architecture
The core underlying technology is still Ethernet, with GPON Encapsulation Mode (GEM) as the packaging format. GEM packages the IP packets efficiently with minimum overhead as they transit between the OLT and ONT. Each fiber can be shared by up to 64 ONTs, minimizing the amount of fiber required. Although multiple users share the PON, robust QoS and bandwidth mechanisms ensure that the traffic is correctly prioritized and that each user gets the required bandwidth.
Advantages of GPON
GPON offers some key advantages over Ethernet and current voice networks.
Robust Security
Fiber is inherently harder to tap into than a copper-based circuit. A fraudulent ONT cannot be spliced onto a fiber optic network, because the GPON system identifies each ONT based on pre-defined serial numbers and operator settings. Critics of fiber highlight the fact that all users receive the same downstream broadcast, creating the potential for eavesdropping. However, to counter this threat, PON employs a 128-bit advanced encryption scheme. The scheme incorporates a two-way key exchange, making it virtually impossible to intercept another user’s data. As well, any device used to tap into the fiber must be able to decipher GPON GEM ports and traffic containers, which is not a typical function in standard Ethernet devices. All of these inherent capabilities make GPON a very secure environment for transporting sensitive data.
Lower OPEX
Two different distribution networks are used in most corporate environments: one carries voice and the other carries data and video. In large enterprises this has led to congested wiring closets and equipment racks with daisy-chained switches. In addition, the mass of copper cables reduces air flow and necessitates increased cooling system requirements. With GPON, the voice and data network can easily be collapsed into one fiber optic infrastructure for all services. GPON technology offers tremendous economies of scale. One GPON chassis can support up to 4608 users on a 1×64 split of fiber. Typical deployments use a 1×32 split with 2304 users per chassis.
In most deployments, Ethernet switches are stacked in daisy-chains in an equipment closet. This creates a concentrated point for significant heat dissipation, requiring HVAC within the closet. With GPON systems a passive non-powered splitter is placed in the closet and removes HVAC concerns.
In addition, overall power requirements for an optical Ethernet solution equivalent to the GPON solution will be much higher. A typical 388 port optical Ethernet switch with Gigabit Ethernet optical ports will have a minimum power supply of 1400 watts or 3.6 watts per port. A typical 12 port optical Ethernet switch is even less efficient at around 4.58 watts per port. A typical GPON OLT system serving 2304 users will have around 0.6 Watts per user—between nearly 6 to 7.6 times less power consumption.
Higher Bandwidth
In most deployments, Ethernet is limited to 1000Mbps shared among many users. In one of the best case scenarios, 24 users are connected for an average of 41.7 Mbps per user. More commonly, the switches are stacked in daisy-chains, significantly reducing true bandwidth per user for applications such as e-mail, access to graphics/video or databases. In GPON, the full downstream line rate of 2.5 Mbps across 32 users delivers an average of 78 Mbps per user—a 90 percent increase in available sustained bandwidth. When needed, an ONT can deliver up to the 1000 Mbps.
In recent years, fiber has come to the forefront of communications as a secure, economical and scalable alternative to copper for enterprise and government applications. In particular, GPON has been widely adopted in North America as the leading fiber optic networking technology. It has typically been deployed for Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) applications, but it can equally serve large corporate environments in FTTD applications. For its part, FTTD can collapse the voice, data and video networks into one and has the potential to deliver virtually unlimited bandwidth while escaping the security constraints and OPEX of copper.
The Deployments of GPON in FTTD Applications
In a campus environment, the typical approach is to locate the OLT shelf in the main building and then run fiber to the individual satellite buildings. In this case, the fibers reach optical splitters placed inside the buildings. The fibers in turn fan out at the optical splitters, reaching individual ONTs or users. To connect voice, data and video traffic back to the network core, the OLT offers multiple 1Gbps or multiple 10Gbps uplinks, providing bandwidth that can scale as your traffic demands rise. For a campus scenario, GPON is especially effective because it eliminates the need for active power consuming equipment in the closets or basements of many of the buildings.
GPON Campus
A slightly different approach can be used for large buildings. In this environment, the OLT shelf is located in the basement with the fibers running up the elevator shaft or riser pipe. Optical splitters are located on each floor where the fibers fan out to individual users. The OLT uplinks are connected directly to edge routers in the basement.
GPON Building
In either scenario, the GPON system can allow each PON to easily support up to 64 ONTs.
Summary
FTTD offers a wide range of cost and power saving opportunities compared to copper and optical Ethernet networks. And using GPON for FTTD can collapse voice, data and video networks into one while overcoming the security constraints and evolution issues associated with copper networks. Therefore, in large institutional settings and campus environments, an FTTD architecture using GPON makes a compelling network alternative.
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