High-Density Fibre Patching Grows with Your Fibre Connectivity
High-Density fibre patching first became possible thanks in part to the introduction of the LC connector. Its small form factor enabled fibre patch panels to be developed with more fibre ports than previously possible.
With greater demand being placed on network infrastructure and IT real estate, the need for better space utilisation within racks has become increasingly important. Not only do you need to provide the fibre patching requirements for today, but also enable an easy upgrade path for future growth. This requires a rethink on traditional patching methods.
Traditional fibre patching typically requires the use of 2U of rack space; 1U for the fibre optic patch panel and a second U for a horizontal cable management bar. Given that the majority of 1U patch panels in the field support 24 LC-Duplex ports (48 fibres) means that not only is this space not optimised, but it is also costly and offers little or no easy upgrade path. Also, if all the ports are not connected to incoming fibres at the time the panel is installed, then adding additional fibres could mean having to remove the panel at the risk of damaging the existing connections. For this reason, it often means companies add a new patch panel instead, meaning further rack space is taken up and IT real estate is not being optimised.
IANOS High-Density Fibre Patching Systems
To improve on this traditional way of patching fibre cables, Data Centre operators should look to implement a high-density fibre patching system such as HUBER+SUHNER’s IANOS system.
The IANOS system is a modular, scalable solution that gives greater flexibility and longevity. A 1U or 4U IANOS chassis is mounted into the 19” rack frame. Specially designed modules are then installed into sliding trays within the chassis. The modularity and flexibility of the IANOS system is one of its key features. Modules are available that allow for splicing (LT & Ribbon), patching, transitioning, MTP, TAP, WDM and splitters to suit virtually any function within the network. Any combination of these modules can be housed within the same chassis. A 1U chassis can house up to 12 single modules, if LC patching modules are used then the chassis provides 72 LC-Duplex ports (144 fibres); that’s three times more LC-Duplex ports in the same space as the typical traditional patch panel. Cable management is built in at each tray position eliminating the need for any extra U space for cable management. By going from 24 LC-Duplex ports in 2U of rack space to 72 ports in 1U it reduces the cost of ownership, and opens rack space up to being used for revenue generating equipment. Cable management is enhanced further thanks to drawer labelling and a labelling guide that is stored within the front door of the chassis. LC patching can be improved further by using fibre cables fitted with HUBBER+SUHNER’s LC-XD connectors and an optional label clip. The LC-XD connector features a rigid lever that enables the desired fibre to be installed or removed without the risk of disturbing surrounding connections. This makes Moves, Adds and Changes (MACs) safer and mitigates the risk of downtime. Whilst the label clip enables clearer and easier identification of individual fibre connections.
Finally, adding modules at any future point can be done seamlessly without impacting on the existing installed modules reducing the risk of damaging existing connections.
This modularity provides a future-proofed migration path to higher data rates from 10G to 400G and beyond. LC modules can be upgraded to MTP to enable higher transmission rates brought through the implementation of parallel networks.
By adopting a high-density cross-connect platform not only are you able to improve your fibre connectivity today but future-proof it for the demands of tomorrow.
If you would like to know more about high-density fibre patching or have a requirement that you would like to discuss then please contact us.
