TE Connectivity has introduced a fiber-optic trunking and interconnect system, based on 24-fiber MPO-connector technology, that the company says will make transition from current Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gbit Ethernet applications to 40- and 100-Gbit Ethernet "easy to accomplish and cost-effective." The 24-fiber system "offers data center managers a consistent fiber infrastructure over the next three generations of active equipment, easy migration to higher speeds, cost-benefits associated with a longer shelf life of fiber cable, and higher utilization of the fiber investment," TE Connectivity adds.
Hutch Coburn, senior product manager of fiber solutions with TE Connectivity, described the system as "a common sense approach for today's data center. Network managers looking to deliver on the promise of high performance to their users and move to higher bandwidth and service levels to accommodate future applications and devices need to consider the superior economics and simplicity of our 24-fiber trunking and interconnect solution."
Added Kam Patel, TE Connectivity's business line manager of data center solutions, "Imagine installing your fiber trunking once and not having to replace for the next two or three generations of active-equipment upgrades. This solution provides a tremendous advantage for data center managers, specifically those in the healthcare, finance, government or broadcast industries. The last thing anyone wants to face is not being able to support new and upcoming applications for their users or businesses due to bandwidth limitations. TE's plug-and-play solution offers low future capital and operating expense, defines a clear migration path that can begin today and ensures optimal asset utilization, minimizing dark fibers."
According to TE Connectivity, the 24-fiber trunking and interconnect solution offers a common-sense methodology that offers guaranteed support for 10-, 40- and 100-GbE; maximum use of deployed fibers; better airflow and energy efficiency than other approaches, increased density in fiber panels over alternative media options, and a significant increase in return-on-investment than other approaches offer.
Patel authored an article that makes the technology case for the use of such a 24-fiber trunking system. That article, titled "A 24-fiber Interconnection Solution: The Right Migration Path to 40/100G," appeared in the September issue of Cabling Installation & Maintenance and can be seen here.
The image at the bottom of this screen, taken from that article, shows how 24-fiber trunk cabling remains the permanent infrastructure as a data center network migrates from 10- to 40- and then to 100-Gbit/sec Ethernet.