What are the differences between 8-core, 12-core, 16-core, 24-core, and 32-core optical cables? What is the definition of 8-core optical cable? . 2-fiber cables are easier to understand and identify. When using a 2-fiber connection, the cable comes in increments of two fibers, such as the common LC duplex or SC duplex connectors.
In comparison, when using fiber optic cables with 12-fiber connection technology, 12-fiber MTP connectors are used in increments of 12 fibers. More recently, 8-fiber connectivity solutions have started to emerge. 8-fiber systems will still use MTP-style connectors, including eight-fiber connectors, but the cable will be manufactured in eight-fiber increments. For example, in an 8-fiber system, instead of a 12-fiber trunk cable, an 8-fiber trunk cable, a 16-fiber trunk cable, a 24-fiber trunk cable, and a 32-fiber trunk cable are used; all 8 Core trunk cables are in increments of eight.
The 12-core backbone optical cable is generally used for the backbone of the network, and is connected to the partition distribution area from the main wiring indirect. Most fiber ports require two fibers to connect to ports on servers, switches, and storage devices, so 12-fiber to 2-fiber patch modules and breakout jumpers are required to provide two-fiber ports with two fibers. Fiber optic interface. Since the number 12 is divisible by the number 2, we can easily provide a two-fiber interface for network equipment for full fiber applications with 12-fiber backbone cables.
The difference between 8-core and 12-core optical cables
Technological innovations in the transceiver world are changing rapidly, but anyone who has installed 40G lines knows that one of the most common types of transceivers, QSFP transceivers, uses eight-fiber cables. We can use 12-fiber connection technology to connect to QSFP ports, and in fact, many people who use 40G lines now use 12-fiber connection technology in the trunk network. In general, this is not the best solution either from a cost perspective or from a cable performance perspective, so the industry recognizes the need for a more rational solution.
This solution is the 8-core fiber optic cable connection technology. Talking to major transceiver, switch, server and storage manufacturers, it became clear that transceivers supporting 2-fiber or 8-fiber connectivity technologies will prevail now, in the near term and in the long term . In other words, the development trend in the field of Ethernet data transmission of 40G-400G is the connection solution of two and eight fibers.
In the process of developing to 400G, some short-term solutions will be adopted, such as the first and second generation OM3/OM4 parallel transmission technology, in which 32-core and 16-core optical cable solutions are recommended. But Corning learned from discussions with well-known transceiver, switch, server, and storage suppliers that due to manufacturing costs and connector complexity (say, you really want to add a 32-fiber connector to your network) ?), a solution that is not expected to be widely used. Therefore, for the 400G network that achieves parallel transmission through OM3/OM4 optical fibers, the third-generation solution—the 8-core optical cable solution is expected to gain wide acceptance in the market.
Because the number eight can be divisible by the number two, the 8-fiber cable backbone network connection technology can be easily applied in the two-fiber transceiver system just like the 12-fiber cable connection technology. At the same time, 8-fiber connection technology can provide the most powerful flexibility for the most widely used 40G, 100G and 400G transceivers, while 12-fiber connection technology is not the best solution for eight-fiber transceiver systems. In short, 8-core optical cable connection technology can be called the solution that can best meet the requirements of future 400G data transmission.
Can 8-fiber cables and 12-fiber cables be used at the same time?
It depends on our understanding of "simultaneous use". If this is understood as simply mixing components and plugging an 8-fiber trunk cable into a 12-fiber module, the answer is definitely no. According to the design purpose, these two components cannot be directly plugged into each other. Similarly, the 12-core optical cable and the 8-core optical cable have different design appearances, so the 8-core optical cable and the 12-core optical cable cannot be mixed in the same optical cable connection at the same time. Fiber optic cable assemblies.
But if "simultaneous use" is understood as using both 8-fiber and 12-fiber connectivity technologies in the same data center, then the answer is "yes", but on one condition. This condition is that 8-core optical cables and 12-core optical cables must be used separately, because we have mentioned earlier that the components of 8-core optical cables and 12-core optical cables are not interchangeable, and in the same optical cable link, 8-core optical cables and 12-core optical cables Core fiber optic cable assemblies cannot be plugged into each other. Therefore, some care must be taken when managing the data center physical layer infrastructure to ensure that 8-fiber and 12-fiber assemblies are not mixed in the same cable link.
Advantages of 8-Fiber Cables
The best choice for two-fiber and eight-fiber transceiver technology
Ensure that the eight-fiber transceiver system achieves 100% fiber utilization, and the conversion equipment from 12-fiber cable to 8-fiber cable will not increase the cost and insertion loss
Breakout jumpers can be easily routed to ports on all common line cards in the switch
For any connection in the link, only MTP jumpers without alignment pins are required
The most flexible solution for 40G, 100G and 400G data transmission networks
Advantages of 12 Fiber Optic Cables
Higher fiber usage density per connector than 8-fiber cables
Compatible with existing 12-fiber cable MTP deployment installations with a large number of cores
Although the density of fiber used per connector cannot be ignored, most people are more concerned about how to migrate to 40G and 100G network speeds faster. Currently, anyone considering migrating their data center to a 40G or 100G network in the near future will find it advantageous to use 8-fiber connectivity.
