Category: Fiber Transceivers

Optical transceivers, Active Optic Cables, data center switches, and cable management in data centers.

Should You Be Worried About Bending A Fiber Cable?

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

Fiber wires lose light no matter what. They have a db/km loss rate, this is subject matter we have covered in my other blog on Split Ratio & Budget Light Loss.
But, did you know your bend radius could affect the db loss of a fiber cable?
There is a lot of engineering, research and development that goes into building fiber network hardware. Today I’m talking about passive fiber network TAPs and the bend radius of a fiber cable.
Typical Electronic Frequency in HZ = is 1/ wavelength. In Fiber the Frequency (f) equation is the speed of light in fiber (v) /wavelength (A). The average speed of light in a fiber is around *2.14 X 10 -8 m/seconds.
Note this will cary with different fiber but is an acceptable average.
Frequency A is a higher frequency than frequency B which has a longer wavelengths.
An interesting fact – the frequency of a signal (light or photon flow) stays the same in the air or in a fiber.
Bend Loss Factors
Bend loss occurs when the fiber cable bends is tighter than the cable’s maximum bend tolerance. Bending loss can also occur on a smaller scale from such factors as:
Sharp curves of the fiber core
Displacements of a few millimeters or less, caused by buffer or jacket imperfections
Poor installation practice
Microbending: losses are due to microscopic fiber deformations in the core-cladding interface caused by induced pressure on the glass.
Macrobending: losses are due to physical bends in the fiber that are large in relation to fiber diameter.
The signal still can get through but loss is still an issue – light is power. Light distortion = power loss. This hurts your optical budge.
In other words, if you have your fibers wrapped too tightly inside your network tools – you could be losing a lot more db than you thought, affecting the distance the data can travel with integrity.
Second, if the bend is too great, there will be stress placed on the cladding that may cause micro cracks, allowing leakage over time, as well as excess stress on the connectors, also causing misalignment that can cause further drops in db.
Our passive fiber TAPs have been designed and factory tested (read ‘Born in the USA: The Story of Garland Network TAPs’) eliminating any tight bend radius issues. We did not want to have a small compact design that would require tight fiber bends, increasing the risk of db loss as well as sharp curves that can occur in the manufacturing and assembly process.
Remember, don’t bend any fiber cable too much, or you may be creating errors on your network.

How improper fiber crossing degrades network performance

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

Network technicians often commit major errors crossing fiber cables during installation. If they don’t understand polarity or rush to get their network equipment powered up, they run the risk of using the wrong patch cord. That can be bad news.
This is the 15th in a Telect blog series, entitled The ABCs of Cable Management. Product Specialist Hugo Garcia explains the different types of polarity and how it can impact your fiber optic network.
Your network performance is at risk if fiber cable polarity isn’t a priority during installation. The wrong connection can result in signal degradation.
Or worse: damaged critical active equipment, which can lead to network downtime.
The challenges can arise if polarity is not properly maintained. This can be as simple as connecting an Rx transmitter to another Rx transmitter. Your signal won’t transmit.
WHAT IS POLARITY?
Polarity is often used to define a direction of flow. For example, a battery’s positive and negative polarity terminals determine the direction of its electrical current.
In fiber optics, polarity defines the direction the light signal travels through optical fiber. Unfortunately, this can cause confusion among technicians. Let’s break down the different types of polarity.
POLARITY IN DUPLEX FIBER OPTICS
Understanding polarity in duplex fiber applications, such as 10 GbE, is straightforward. Data transmission is bidirectional over two fiber cables, meaning each fiber connects the transmitter (Tx) on one end and to the receiver (Rx) on the other end.
Shown in the example below, the transmitter should always connect to the receiver, regardless of the number of patch panel adapters or cable segments in the channel.
Duplex Polarity Application
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
As networks strive to achieve 40 Gbps, or even speeds of 100 Gbps, network technicians must remove transition cassettes and harnesses from the link and replace them with the proper MPO adapters and patch cords.
Polarity becomes much more complex when you’re working with MPO cables. Some important characteristics for MPO connectors are:
Pins determine gender (male or female) and are necessary for achieving the correct fiber alignment
Polarization dot, oriented to Fiber 1
MPO Characteristics
THE THREE TYPES OF POLARITY
There are three types of MPO trunk cables and connectors to obtain proper MPO polarity:
1. Type A (Straight)
When components are Type A, the fiber identified as 1 (blue, according to the TIA color code) connects to Fiber 1. In other words, 1 goes to 1, also known as Key-up/Key-down. This type applies for adapters, cassettes and cables.
2. Type B (Crossed)
Fiber 1 goes to Fiber 12 or commonly called Key-up/key-up. This type also applies for adapters, cassettes and cables.
3. Type C (Cross pairs)
Type C refers to cross pairs, just like with ethernet connections. With Type C, Fiber 1 matches to Fiber 2, 2 to 1, 3 to 4 and so on. It only applies for trunk MPO cables.
POLARITY IN MPO
TIA 568 standard specifies three different methods for managing MPO polarity: A, B and C, each requiring different types of MPO adapters and cables.
Method A
Method A polarity uses straight-through MPO trunks and interconnect cables to map the fibers on both ends of the link. To flip the polarity, an A to B patch cord (LC to LC) at one end must be connected to an A to A cord at the other end. In this method, Fiber 1 arrives at Fiber 2 at the other end of the connection.
Since the fibers at each end have the same position, Method A offers the simplest deployment for multimode channels, easily supporting network scalability for the hyperscale future.
Method B
Method B uses three Type B MPO components, or three crosses for the transceiver-transceiver connection. Thus, two A to B patch cords are required on each side of the link. In Method B, the fiber located in Position 1 (Tx) arrives at Position 12 (Rx) at the other end of the link.
Method C
In Method C, two Type A MPO cassettes and one Type C trunk cable are necessary for the system. The polarity flip occurs within the array cable itself. Type C cords use reverse-pair positioning, through crossovers in the array cord, to swap the polarity of pairs of fibers. Thus, each pair of fibers is flipped so the fiber in Position 1 (Tx) arrives at Position 2 (Rx) at the opposite end.
While this method works well for 10 Gbps applications, it does not support parallel eight-fiber 40 and 100 Gbps applications where Positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the MPO connection are transmitting and Positions 9, 10, 11 and 12 are receiving.
As a result, Method C is not ideal for migrating your network for the hyperscale.
UNDERSTAND POLARITY OR RISK NETWORK DOWNTIME
Nearly half a billion (429 million) mobile devices and connections were added in 2016. That equals eight billion devices and connections globally.
Your network needs to make the switch to MPO to satisfy all that data consumption.
Deployment mistakes can happen, however. The simple way to avoid crossing fiber cables is to ensure you’re using the same type of patch cord throughout your facility.
Or you could choose preterminated cabling assemblies and MPO cassettes, an option that quickens and simplifies installation.
Ultimately, it’s vital for techs to take the time and ensure they’re maintaining proper polarity to keep your network up and running.

WHY FIBER OPTIC NETWORK IS HIGH SPEED INTERNET CONNECTION

Broadband connection has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years in both urban and rural areas. There is a massive rise in this service amongst businesses where entrepreneurs want to promote their services and products over the web in quick and convenient manner. Due to high speed internet connection, downloading the files, uploading the video or images and chatting has become quite easy. Users don’t find any issue of slow speed nowadays due to latest technology and connection. In last couple of year, fiber optic network has emerged as one of the best connections to provide high speed access to the web world.
Dial-up, Wireless, Cable and Fiber Optics are some of the techniques to allow users to access the web world. But when it comes to access web world in high speed manner then fiber optics is the best connection which has also changed the way people using internet in the past. This connection has very thin fibers built of glass that transmit the data and files through a fiber optic network. As the glass fibers go via low level of reduction and hindrance, the connection becomes highly effective for telecommunication. Now let’s discuss why it is seen as the high speed connection for residents and commercial places:
Fastest Speed: It is a fastest broadband connection that provides ultra fast speed up to 10,000 Mbps. With the use of innovative methods and latest technologies, the connection promises to give users high speed round the clock allowing them to send emails and files in ultra fast speed. When it comes to compare fiber optics to cable connection & Digital subscriber line (DSL), then one will find that sending data or files is much quicker with fiber network even during peak hours. From live streaming to downloading video, everything becomes faster and easier with this fiber connection.
More Reliability: Fiber Optics Network is also quite reliable as compared to cable connection & Digital subscriber line (DSL). Even during the power outrage, the connection remains intact as it is made of glass that required no electricity. It is also difficult for others to hack the network as mostly the system installed in the home of users.
Temperature Fluctuation: The best thing with fiber connection is that it resists more temperature fluctuations as compared to cable and Digital subscriber line (DSL). On the hand, fiber optics network can be submerged in water as well without facing any network issue.
Cost: It is obvious that when you are getting better services then you have to pay little more. Fiber Optics network is also little expensive as compared to other ordinary connections. But when users are getting high speed then paying little more can’t be a bad decision. Today businesses are running over the internet and it is only successful when they have high speed and better connectivity round the clock.
So keeping in mind all the points, it is not wrong to say that Fiber Optics Network is best for those who want high speed connection with safe and strong connectivity.

WHY IS FIBER OPTIC CONNECTION BENEFICIAL FOR BUSINESS?

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

There is no doubt that internet has become a necessity of a successful business. You can’t think life without the web world. From institution to entertainment, people of all age group spend their maximum time on internet. With change of time, demands of users have also increased significantly. Earlier most of the users thought to get an economical connection with manageable speed. People did not think too much about speed earlier but nowadays, speed has become the first preference of the users. They want a connection having ultra fast speed and strong connectivity. No matter in which part of the world you are living, if you are an internet freaky then you will surely want a high speed internet connection.
Running a successful business needs a reliable broadband connection in the present competitive world. It is important for a smooth workflow at the workplace. It has noticed that a number of time users need to upload a heavy file which takes a lot of time making them frustrated. It not just makes users annoying but also hampers the productivity of the business. That’s the reason many technologies have introduced to booth the speed for a smooth web access. Among all the available technologies, fiber optic is one of the most advanced technologies in broadband industry. Fiber has changed the way business was dealt the earlier.’
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Advantages of Fiber Optic Connection
Lighting fast speed
Excellent connectivity
More reliability
Bigger and larger bandwidth
Symmetric speed

BOON OF USING FIBER OPTIC CABLES OVER COPPER CABLES

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

Everyone knows that approx.. an year ago we use copper cables while using the internet connection of any brand. The service providers come up with copper cable to install the internet connection and provide the required service to them. But at present time, fiber optic cable is in demand. The users are quite happy with its performance as it rarely gets out of connection. On the other hand, it also gives a good speed to the user in comparison to the copper cables. Let’s discuss some other best advantages of fiber optic cable over the copper cables.
Greater BandwidthThe
copper cable has the capacity to handle greater bandwidth as originally it was designed for voice transmission and have a limited bandwidth. So, now it is used as a greater bandwidth device. It carries more data than copper cables at the same diameter. Within the fiber cable group, only single mode fiber can delivers up to twice the multimode fiber. So, users are fine with what they are availing.
Faster SpeedsThe
fiber cables carry light to transmit data. This enables the cable to carry diverse signals at speeds that are slower than the speed of light which is faster than cat5 and cat6 copper cables. Therefore the speed this cable is higher than the copper cable.
Longer Distances
When it comes to long distance, this cable never disappoints as cables generally works on the basis of wavelength, network, distance and it performs well in each of these areas. It carries signals much faster than the traditional foot limitations upto 328ft. It carries data upto 25 miles.
Better ReliabilityBe
it any weather, fiber cable is immune to temperature changes. Weather doesn’t hamper the connectivity of this cable as like other traditional cables. And it does not even carry electric current so user must be stressed free with electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can interrupt data transmission.
Thinner and Sturdier
In comparison to any other cable, this cable is thinner, sturdier and light in weight. It is less prone to damage and breakage.
More Flexibility for the Future
According to the demand and usage, the media converters enable the user to incorporate fiber into existing networks. The converters enhance the Ethernet connection over fiber optic by extending the UTP. Modern panels are designed to meet the current needs and provide the flexibility for future needs. The panels are comprises of variety of cassettes for different types of fiber patch cables.
Low Cost
If the user gets its ownership, then he or she will realize that in initial days the rate of fiber optic cable is a bit expensive, but its reliability, durability and speed makes it worth it. And after some days of use, it automatically becomes affordable as there are a number of packages are given to the user to choose the most affordable one.
Each of these advantages of fiber optic cable makes it best among all other traditional internet connections.

Can I Use QSFP+ Optics on the QSFP28 Port?

100G Ethernet will have a larger share of network equipment market in 2017, according to Infonetics Research. But we can’t neglect the fact that 100G technology and relevant optics are still under development. Users who plan to layout 100G network for long-hual infrastructures usually met some problems. For example, currently, the qsfp28 optics on the market can only support up to 10 km (QSFP28 100GBASE-LR4) with WDM technology, which means you have to buy the extra expensive WDM devices. For applications beyond 10km, QSFP28 optical transceivers cannot reach it. Therefore, users have to use 40G QSFP+ optics on 100G switches. But here comes a problem, can I use the QSFP+ optics on the QSFP28 port of the 100G switch? If this is okay, can I use the QSFP28 modules on the QSFP+ port? This article discusses the feasibility of this solution and provides a foundational guidance of how to configure the 100G switches.
For Most Switches, QSFP+ Can Be Used on QSFP28 Port
As we all know that QSFP28 transceivers have the same form factor as the QSFP optical modules. The former has just 4 electrical lanes that can be used as a 4x10GbE, 4x25GbE, while the latter supports 40G ( 4x10G). So from all of this information, a QSFP28 module breaks out into either 4x25G or 4x10G lanes, which depends on the transceiver used. This is the same case with the SFP28 transceivers that accept SFP+ transceivers and run at the lower 10G speed.
A 100G QSFP28 port can generally take either a QSFP+ or QSFP28 optics. If the QSFP28 optics support 25G lanes, then it can operate 4x25G breakout, 2x50G breakout or 1x100G (no breakout). The QSFP+ optic supports 10G lanes, so it can run 4x10GE or 1x40GE. If you use the QSFP transceivers in QSFP28 port, keep in mind that you have both single-mode and multimode (SR/LR) optical transceivers and twinax/AOC options that are available.
In all Cases, QSFP28 Optics Cannot Be Used on QSFP+ Port
SFP+ can’t auto-negotiate to support SFP module, similarly QSFP28 modules can not be used on the QSFP port, either. There is the rule about mixing optical transceivers with different speed—it basically comes down to the optic and the port, vice versa. Both ends of the two modules have to match and form factor needs to match as well. Additionally, port speed needs to be equal or greater than the optic used.
How to Configure 100G Switch
For those who are not familiar with how to do the port configuration, you can have a look at the following part.
How do you change 100G QSFP ports to support QSFP+ 40GbE transceivers?
Configure the desired speed as 40G:
(config)# interface Ethernet1/1
(config-if-Et1/1)# speed forced 40gfull
How do you change 100G QSFP ports to support 4x10GbE mode using a QSFP+ transceiver?
Configure the desired speed as 10G:
(config)# interface Ethernet1/1 – 4
(config-if-Et1/1-4)# speed forced 10000full
How do you change 100G QSFP ports from 100GbE mode to 4x25G mode?
Configure the desired speed as 25G:
(config)# interface Ethernet1/1 – 4
(config-if-Et1/1-4)# speed forced 25gfull
How do you change 100G QSFP ports back to the default mode?
Configure the port to default mode:
(config)# interface Ethernet1/1-4
(config-if-Et1/1)# no speed
Note that if you have no experience in port configuration, it is advisable for you to consult your switch vendor in advance.
Conclusion
To sum up, QSFP+ modules can be used on the QSFP28 ports, but QSFP28 transceivers cannot transmit 100Gbps on the QSFP+ port. When using the QSFP optics on the QSFP28 port, don’t forget to configure your switch (follow the above instructions). To make sure the smooth network transmission, you need to ensure the connectors on both ends are the same and no manufacturer compatibility issue exists.