Today, integrated wiring has become an increasingly important topic in data center construction and operation. As the number of 10GB/s and 40GB/s cables continues to increase, so does their importance, 100GB/s cables are already being deployed, and intra- and inter-rack applications are increasing. What problems should be paid attention to in data center fiber jumpers? This table highlights several key properties and describes each cable type.
Fiber Optic Patch Cords for Data Centers
1. Cable length
Traditional passive copper cables are primarily used to connect equipment within a single rack (intra-rack connections). Depending on the copper cable type and application, their distance is usually limited to 7-10 meters. In contrast, active copper cables install electronics or optics in the connectors at each end, allowing active copper cables to overcome most physical distance limitations. In active optical cables, connectors convert electrical signals to optical signals and vice versa, enabling longer distances and providing greater flexibility in data center configurations. Using active optical cables, its technology can be used for both intra-rack and inter-rack applications.
2. Cable properties
At the same data rate, fiber optic cables are lighter and thinner than copper cables and do not require shielding. Fiber optic cables are generally lighter in weight, smaller in size and have a smaller bend radius. These advantages of fiber optics provide more flexibility in data center configurations.
Application Scenarios of Optical Fiber Patch Cords in Data Centers
3. Cooling and Airflow Considerations
The bulk of a large number of cables can have a significant impact on the cooling efficiency, longevity of connected equipment, and cooling requirements and power consumption of racks and data center facilities. In this regard, thinner and lighter cables have obvious advantages.
4. Power consumption
Cables consume relatively little power compared to the processors and other components of a data center patch cord or fans and cooling. But as these systems become more energy efficient, so does the concern about the power consumption of cables. Typically, the energy consumed and the power required to transmit over a passive copper cable is directly related to its length. Whether it is copper or fiber optic cables, regardless of their length, there is a fixed power consumption. Finally, fiber optic cables have well-known advantages over long distances.
Data Center Fiber Patch Cord Ends
5. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
Electromagnetic emissions from both passive and active copper cables are highly dependent on the manufacturer's quality standards, and copper cables generate electromagnetic interference (EMI) from their connectors and conductors. The low cost of third-party passive copper cables is often attractive, but their electromagnetic interference (EMI) characteristics can be difficult to predict.
When using active optical cables, electromagnetic interference (EMI) can only come from the components inside the connectors at the end of the fiber optic patch cords in the data center, because the optical cables themselves do not emit electromagnetic radiation. In general, the design and shielding of these optics is more elaborate than that of copper cables. Therefore, from an electromagnetic wave perspective, fiber optic cables tend to be superior.
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