As the number of fiber optic connections increases to support new initiatives such as 5G, IP migration, 4K content, and the transition to emerging 400G technologies, ODF fiber optic distribution frames provide high-density fiber optic cable management in a compact space.
However, many of today's ODF racks lack user-friendly features and the ability to support fast, easy scaling - a feature that is more important than ever in today's interconnected environment where fiber connections are growing. If you're buying an ODF rack in the future, there are six features you should look for to maximize your fiber connectivity infrastructure.
1. High terminal density to maximize space utilization
Essentially, fiber optic distribution frames are designed to support a large number of fiber optic connections. But there are differences between systems. The ODF rack should support as many fiber terminations as possible, so that the number of cabinets can be reduced, so new technologies about the ODF rack are needed. This also reduces operating costs by connecting more fiber into a smaller space. Then the density level of the ODF rack is one of the inevitable considerations.
2. Complete fiber protection to ensure signal integrity
Our ODF racks feature articulating cable management bays and slack management to protect cables and patch cords from damage and pinching. Fiber optic panels that control the bend radius of input and output fiber optic cables prevent them from bending or squashing, thereby avoiding performance issues.
odf rack
From the moment the fiber optic cable enters the cabinet, it should be routed and protected until the jumper leads out the other side. This level of protection helps maintain signal integrity for high performance and efficient transmission.
3. Easy access to fiber optic cables and patch cords to move, add and change faster
The removable pull-out tray makes it easy to manage patch frames, patch cords and cassette backs. This is a system that protects the fiber optic cable when the tray is pulled out and leaves a gap around each connector so that your fingers can easily grab it for easy connection/disconnection. This makes moving, adding and changing (MAC) faster and smoother. Port-level labeling should be done next to each port, reducing the potential for human error and connectivity issues by easily seeing if the correct fiber optic cable is connected and disconnected.
jumper frame
Also, to support the new, easy-to-manage technology, the fiber optic patch panel should be able to connect one port in the cabinet to any other port using one patch cord length. (This has the added advantage of making the BOM and ODF design simpler too!)
4. The ability to support emerging technologies
Importantly, the chosen ODF rack can be migrated from Base-12 to Base-8, Base-16 or even Base-24 connections in the future without significant capital expenditure.
For example, if a data center starts migrating to 40G or 100G and needs to install Base-8 equipment, the system should allow this to be done with Base-12 equipment without wasting any resources. Cassette racks should be able to be mixed and matched without loss of density or requiring changes to the fiber infrastructure.
5. Supports multiple termination methods to reduce cost
The ODF rack should handle multiple fiber configurations, including pre-terminated trunk cables (with MPO, LC or SC connectors), or field termination with splice connectors or pigtails. The integration of these various options should be as simple as choosing the right cassette or adapter frame for the project, and that choice should not affect the connection density in the system when comparing the same connector type.
6. System scalability to support emerging technologies
ODF racks that expand with a modular approach make it simple to add cabinets as the number of fiber connections increases. This allows you to start by creating a cross-connect in a single cabinet. As the installation expands to involve a higher number of connections, more enclosures can easily be added as needed. ODFs that can be deployed in different configurations (e.g. side-by-side) can grow in the most efficient way given space constraints
