Overview

As the demand for faster networks continues to grow exponentially, fibre is no longer just the technology of the future – it’s fast becoming the medium of choice for today’s network designers. The following is our overview of how the emergence of 40 and 100 Gig networks are influencing data centre design and how ADC KRONE is responding to these changes.

40 & 100 gig networks

With the advent of 40/100Gig and beyond, the market has shifted to a focus on fibre as the medium of choice for high density data networks. Today’s platforms are capable of densities 3-5 times greater than were previously possible, while enabling more flexibility in managing change. This is supported by the UK Data Centre Structured Cabling Study (BSRIA, April 2009) which states that data centres are beginning to show a trend towards more fibre cabling and expect to see a reduction in copper cabling as patch panels are integrated into servers. The study further claims that 52% of respondents expect to be running 40G somewhere in their network by 2010. Furthermore 30% of respondents expect to be running 100G somewhere in their network by 2010. While copper is still a very much a dependable, cost effective and necessary product that is delivering network speeds of up to 10 Gig, the shift towards fibre is steadily taking place.

ADC KRONE is a world leader in fibre optic technologies with an innovative range of cutting-edge products backed up with significant expertise and experience in developing and deploying fibre solutions. ADC KRONE offers a complete fibre solution, which includes OS2 and OM4 fibre cable. Whether it’s pre-terminated or spliced cabling solution, we are uniquely placed to provide fully integrated networks using the very best fibre technology. However, we don’t just push the boundaries in the data centre; ADC KRONE is also currently trialling 1Gig technology in to the home and this should become a reality within months - not years!

Overview of our Fibre products

OS2 and OM4
Our current portfolio includes OS2 and OM4 fibre cable which meets the 40G and 100G IEEE standard (IEEE 802.3ba, approx publishing date: July 2010).

Our OS2 and OM4 solution includes Blown Fibre, MPO Cable Arrays and Internal/External Fibre Cable. This choice is a huge advantage for customers who want to future proof and be ready for 40G and 100G applications.

TFP and MPO
Our TFP (TrueNet Fibre Panel) series can be ordered in one, two, or five rack-unit sizes to fit all design requirements. The unique modular adapter packs incorporate ADC KRONE’s angled adapter design to allow easy access to each port and superior cable management with bend radius protection. Designed for rack or cabinet mounting in the horizontal or equipment distribution area, the TFP’s design make them ideal for mounting in close proximity to servers, switches, routers and SAN’s.

The TFP’s functionality can be extended with our plug and play angled cassettes, which add up to 24 fibre terminations each. These cassettes snap into place effortlessly; and even come from the factory pre-labelled with simple installation instructions.

“Pre-terminated fibre in the data centre is expected to grow from 54% of the total fibre in the DC in 2008 to 71% in 2010”
UK Data Centre Structured Cabling Study (BSRIA, April 2009)

ADC KRONE’s TrueNet® plug-and-play micro-cable trunk assemblies are round 12 fibre optical trunk cables pre-terminated with a high-density MPO connector on both ends. They can be used in conjunction with any of the other plug-and-play connectivity products to rapidly deploy fibre into a data centre or Local Area Network (LAN). The TrueNet Micro-cable assemblies can easily be plugged into any plug-and-play cassette in the optical distribution frame or fibre enclosure thereby eliminating the need for on-site fibre termination and preparation – saving valuable time and money!

ADC KRONE’s TrueNet® 12-Fibre Plug-and-Play Array Cables provide a convenient and efficient method to connect active equipment into the network. These 12-fibre, round 3mm cables contain a pre-terminated high density MPO pinned connector on one end and either LC or SC connectors on the other.  They can simply be plugged into any plug-and-play cassette in the optical distribution frame or fibre enclosure which eliminates the need for on-site fibre termination and preparation.

Both our MPO and TFP product sets support 40G applications (IEEE 802.3ba, approx publishing date in July 2010) as well 100G.

Blown Fibre
The TrueNet Blown Fibre system from ADC KRONE provides a simple solution to manage evolving network demands without the need for high initial capital expenditure or extensive network planning. Blown Fibre enables optical networks to adapt to changing business requirements.

The TrueNet solution allows optical fibres to be deployed on demand from one point of a network to another (internal or external) using compressed air to blow optical fibre into pre-installed tubes.

Our Blown Fibre products come in both OS2 and OM4 cable grades. They are available in varying lengths and fibre-core counts. Find out more about Blown Fibre Solutions or download our Blown Fibre Solution Brochure.