Family History for Fiber Optic Networks

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

The other day I had some time to do a bit of family history research.  Millions of people around the world are passionately involved in finding their roots.  Although I would not categorize myself as “passionate”, family history research does interest me.  That is why I found myself navigating through a fan chart of my ancestors.  The fan chart is a fantastic way to view up to four generations on one screen.  The site that I was using, fiber-mart.com, has tools that made it easy even for a novice such as I.
Within minutes, I had access to census, marriage, and obituary records.   With those, along with some military records, I was able to pursue my research.  What made those records even more valuable was that much of it had been indexed.  That is, someone had digitized the records by typing the text from each of them into a database.  This made it possible for me to type in a word or number and search for it.  I was not only able to view the original records I was also able to easily find what I needed.   The vast amount of resources at my fingertips amazed me.  They empowered me to uncover needles in the haystack of history.  Such as, my grandfather’s name on the manifest of the ship that brought him to the states from Wales in 1920.  I was impressed with the knowledge I was able to gain from an hour interacting with that data.
So, what does this have to do with fiber optic network management?  The records of a fiber optic network should be just as accessible and just as easy to research as are the hundreds of years of family history data.  Just as the benefits of family history research continue to expand (think cancer research among so many others), so do the benefits of fiber optic network documentation.
Several years ago dozens of boxes loaded with hard copies of network maps arrived at our offices.  The origins of this data ranged over the course of a decade.  Our data professionals began the process of digitizing and indexing the records.  They started with the earliest box, building a digital model of the fiber optic network.  With each successive box the network footprint blossomed on a digital map.  As the network model matured, the value of the process became evident.
Until we had completed this project, our client would have been hard pressed to answer even a simple question about their network such as, how many buildings they serviced.  Afterwards, they not only had that number, but pretty much any relevant network metric.  Something like, the number of available fiber miles that were aerial and owned by them in the county of Salt Lake in 1997.  The data was digital, searchable, manageable, and accessible.
Today, there are millions of miles of fiber optic strands managed by fiber-mart.com products around the world.  I dare say that somewhere along the path that connects you to this web site there is fiber that is or has been documented by fiber-mart.com.  For over two decades network owners have been pouring resources into digitizing their network data and it is paying off for them.   Once the data is digitized it is a commodity. It is easily shared and enables limitless reporting and endless analytical possibilities that translate into significant savings of time and money.  It becomes the source of truth for design and planning, both tactical and strategic.  It has become essential.
In today’s fiber optic network management environment if your network data is not digital, searchable, manageable, and accessible you are most likely still using a fax machine, hanging a pager on your belt, and flipping open your phone to answer it.  If you are suffering from this, now is the time to do something about it.  Unplug the fax, toss the pager, go buy a smart phone and give us a call.  We won’t rest until every strand of every fiber optic cable is represented in a row in a database and a line on a map.  Think of it as family history for the fiber.

How The NSA Taps Undersea Fiber Optic Cables

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

The old saying goes that there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and that holds true for the NSA and the way it eavesdrops on global communications. In the latest round of leaks from Ed Snowden, the world’s most wanted ex-contractor reveals that it’s not just tech companies like Google and Microsoft that are willingly collaborating with the spooks – they’re also quite capable of helping themselves, tapping into the “internet’s backbone,” and siphoning off vast amounts of data from the undersea cables that make the web go round.
A report in The Atlantic details how British spies are running two rather blatant-sounding programs going by the names of “Global Telecoms Exploitation” and “Mastering the Internet”. The programs are said to be similar to PRISM, and fall under a larger operation called “Project Tempora”. According to documents leaked by Snowden, Tempora gathers up a seemingly ridiculous 21 million gigabytes of data every single day, which is then retained and analyzed for one month.
The Atlantic describes how this data is then shared between Britain’s GCHQ and the NSA, with more than 550 analysts working full time to sift through it all. In this case though, the risk towards our privacy is even greater than anything the NSA collects via PRISM, because tapping into undersea cables means that the agencies can gather the entire contents of communications, rather than just the metadata.
Speaking to security analyst Jacob Appelbaum, Ed Snowden relates how the GCHS is even “worse than” the NSA, because its system vacuums up all data indiscriminately, regardless of who it belongs too or what the content of that data is.
“If you had the choice, you should never send information over British lines or British servers,” stated Snowden.
The actual method through which GCHQ captures this data is still a matter of debate, although The Atlantic suggests that it probably involves some kind of “intercept probes” that are installed at various landing stations in the UK. These ‘intercept probes’ are said to be small devices capable of capturing the light sent down a fiber optic cable, bouncing that light around a ‘prism’, copying it, before allowing it to continue on its merry way.
A US government contractor called Glimmerglass is likely to have provided at least some of the technology that allows GCHQ to do this. Aviation Week reported that the company was carrying out similar interceptions on behalf of the US government back in 2010. Further, Glimmerglass has previously
This is all thought to be fairly recent technology however. Previously, the only way that undersea cables could be accessed was by tapping into them directly. To fulfil this purposes, the USS Jimmy Carter submarine was apparently repurposed for the job. The sub apparently accesses the cables at “regeneration points”, where their signal is amplified and where the cables are no longer bundled, but can be accessed individually.

Types of Outoodr Fiber Optic Cable

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

As non-professionals, we may not be familiar with fiber optic cable, but when we need to use it, you must understand it. This article would put emphasis on introducing the following 4 Types of Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable (that from fiber-mart.com).
Aerial Bundle Cable Standards:
1. B-230 Aluminum Wire, 1350-H19 for Electrical Purposes.
2. B-231 Aluminum Conductors, Concentric-Lay-Stranded.
3. B-232 Aluminum Conductors, Concentric-Lay-Stranded, Coated Steel Reinforced (ACSR).
4. B-399 Concentric-Lay_Stranded 6201-T81 Aluminum Alloy Conductors.
5. B498 Zinc-Coated Steel Core Wire for Aluminum Conductors, Steel Reinforced (ACSR).
6. Duplex Service Drop cable meets or exceeds all applicable requirements of ANSI/ICEA S-76-474
Dry water-blocking outdoor cables: Being exploited by a dry water-blocking technology, dry water-blocking outdoor cables are designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. This kind of fiber optic cable is suitable for use within buildings, for outdoor installations or transitional aerial and duct applications, and for entrance facilities that require riser- or plenum-rated cable. An all-dielectric construction requires no grounding or bonding, while an armored cable construction has interlocking aluminum armor that eliminates the need for innerduct or conduit. The RoHS-compliant cable is available in singlemode (meets OS1 and proposed OS2 standards) and multimode (OM1, OM2, and10-Gbits/sec laser optimized OM3) types, and in fiber counts up to 144. This kind of fiber optic patch cord is an optimal choice under harsh environment.
Plenum outdoor cables: Plenum outdoor cables are flame-retardant and suitable for aerial, duct, riser and plenum installations. No transition splice is required when entering the building from a dedicated outside plant cable. Part of the company’s LANs solutions, these cables feature 250-µm color-coded fibers for simplified identification during installation. The loose tube design provides mechanical and environment durability, and the cable’s all-dielectric construction requires no grounding or bonding. This kind of fiber optic cable is available with 12 to 60 fibers and in 62.5- and 50-µm (including laser-optimized) and singlemode fiber outdoor versions, along with a flexible, flame-retardant, UV-resistant jacket.
Outdoor cable for factory: Featuring a proprietary pressure-extruded (core-locked) tightly bound outer jacket that firmly binds all fibers together so that the cable moves as a solid, rope-like unit, these tight-buffered cables are suited for industrial applications. This kind of fiber optic patch cable is designed with flex resistance of thousands of cycles, crush resistance of 2200 N/cm, the ability to withstand 1,000 impacts, and tensile load rating exceeding a ton. They are also constructed to withstand caustic and volatile chemicals, excessive moisture and fungus, UV exposure, and operating temperatures ranging from -55℃to 124℃. They are perfect options for factory environment.

How to Become a Fiber Optics Technician

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

The future of the internet is fiber optic. The demand for bandwidth and internet access to remote areas continues to soar so will the need for qualified technicians to install these cables. However, you may be confused about how much technical proficiency and certifications are required to attain a position in this growing sector of the telecommunications industry. While a background in coaxial cabling may be a good start in this field, in many ways it is just like starting over with equipment that requires a greater degree of care and completely distinct standards of installation.
What Do Fiber Optics Technicians Do?
These professionals are responsible for the installation and repair of fiber optic cables, creating and maintaining high-speed communications. Job duties include laying cable lines, testing connections, and troubleshooting malfunctioning equipment. Challenges of this profession may include working with electronics and construction equipment in inclement weather as well as working at great heights or in confined spaces. It is not an entry-level position and requires a high degree of technical expertise and understanding of communications and signal flow.
A Growing Field With Limitless Opportunity
The largest telecommunications companies are currently in a state of aggressive expansion of fiber optic networks. Telecom giants such as AT&T and Comcast are in the midst of a virtual bonanza in their regional competitions while Google Fiber seeks to transform economically troubled areas into fully-connected “gig cities” to attract technical professionals and services. The possibilities are intriguing, but this translates to a once in a lifetime financial opportunity for those with the most qualified personnel.
Basic Qualifications For Fiber Optics Technicians
A fiber optics technician needs to possess the following qualifications
Technical knowledge of communications networks
Troubleshooting and mechanical skills
Fundamental knowledge of computers and associated electronic systems
Skill with a variety of hand tools and power tools
Ability to operate large equipment
May need to possess a commercial driver’s license
Educational Requirements for Fiber Optics Technicians
While some opportunities exist for those with a high school diploma to learn this trade in an apprenticeship program or in the military, for those choose not to take this route, other paths exist. The most efficient way to enter this job field is a professional technical preparation course that focuses on getting students ready to attain the certifications required of all fiber optics technicians.
Certification Programs
Certificate programs in broadband cable and technology can be completed relatively quickly. A typical program consists of around 25 credit hours, less than half of the requirement for an associates degree. These courses include practical demonstrations of necessary skills such as testing and maintenance of cables, introductions to standard principles of communications, and other technical skills required for successful installation of communications equipment.
The certifications earned from these programs include the following certificates:
Certified Fiber Optics Technician (FOT)
Certified Fiber Optics Designer (FOD)
Data Cabling Installer Certification (DCIC)
Certified Military Fiber Optics Installation Professional (MFOI)
Which certification is best for an employee depends upon the technical position that they are applying for but in general, a Certified Fiber Optics Technician (FOT) is a great entry certification for starting techs. It has a prerequisite of Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) FOI certification but is the fundamental building block of a career in a fiber optics installation and maintenance career. The course includes the certification exam on the last day of the course and is a streamlined way of attaining certification.

Introduction of Fiber Connector Cleaning

With the widespread use of optical fiber in high-speed communications, reliable and efficient fiber installations and maintenance are critical to the high-performance network.With the deployment of 40G and 100G systems in the data center reliable and efficient，fiber installations are critical to the high performance network.Contaminated fiber optic connectors can often lead to degraded performance and costly, but preventable failures. In industry studies the #1 cause of link failure is a contaminated or dirty connector or fiber.

With the widespread use of optical fiber in high-speed communications, reliable and efficient fiber installations and maintenance are critical to the high-performance network.With the deployment of 40G and 100G systems in the data center reliable and efficient，fiber installations are critical to the high performance network.Contaminated fiber optic connectors can often lead to degraded performance and costly, but preventable failures. In industry studies the #1 cause of link failure is a contaminated or dirty connector or fiber. To ensure proper performance and reliability care must be taken with the installation and maintenance of removable fiber connectors. Ideally, a properly maintained and cleaned fiber optic cable will help reduce contaminant transfer to a removable or non-removable optical interface, lessening or removing the need to clean expensive and delicate gear. Cabling industry best practices recommend that both field and pre-terminated connections should be inspected and cleaned prior to mating to other connectors or equipment.

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Preparation for the Cleaning Process

  • Always inspect your connectors or adapters before you begin the cleaning process.
  • Use the connector housing to plug or unplug a fiber.
  • Turn off any laser sources before you inspect and clean fiber connectors.
  • Disconnect the cables at both ends and remove the pluggable receiver from the chassis.
  • Store unused protective caps in a resealable container to prevent any transfer of dust to the fiber.
  • Discard any used tissues or swabs.

Fiber Optic Connector Cleaning Procedure

Step 1: Inspect the fiber optic connector, component, or bulkhead with a fiberscope.

Step 2: If the connector is dirty, clean it with a dry cleaning technique.

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Dry cleaning: Using a reel-based cassette cleaner (see the picture below) with medium pressure, wipe the connector end face against a dry cleaning cloth (single swipe per exposure) in one direction. For angled physical contact (APC) polished connectors, ensure that the entire end face surface mates with the cleaning cloth. Dry cleaning will generally remove airborne contamination and should be attempted first. Inspect the connector end face for contamination after cleaning.

Step 3: Inspect the connector.

Step 4: If the connector is still dirty, repeat the dry cleaning technique.

Step 5: Inspect the connector.

Step 6: If the connector is still dirty, clean it with a wet cleaning technique followed immediately with a dry cleaning in order to ensure no residue is left on the end face.

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Wet cleaning: Lightly moisten a portion of a lint free wipe with fiber optic cleaning solution (or > 91% Isopropyl Alcohol) and applying medium pressure, first wipe the end face against the wet area and then onto a dry area to clean potential residue from the end face. For APC polished connectors, ensure that the entire end face surface mates with the cleaning wipes. Wet cleaning is more aggressive than dry cleaning, and will remove airborne contamination as well as light oil residue and films.

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Step 7: Inspect the connector again.

Step 8: If the contaminate still cannot be removed, repeat the cleaning procedure until the end face is clean.

Note: Never use alcohol or wet cleaning without a way to ensure that it does not leave residue on the end face. Or it will cause equipment damage. The following images shows how to use fiber optic cleaner, just three steps will help you out.

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Avoid These Common Mistakes

  • Do not use a cleaning process that will leave a residue on the end-face.Alcohol or wet cleaning processes are the most common procedures that will leave residue on the surface of the devices.
  • Do not touch the products without being properly grounded.
  • Do not connect the end face of the fiber connectors.
  • Do not twist or pull on the fiber cable forcefully.
  • Do not connect fiber to a fiberscope while system lasers are still on.
  • Do not touch the cleaned area with a swab, tissue, or cleaning fabric.
  • Do not reuse any tissues or swabs.
  • Do not touch a portion of the tissue or swab.
  • Do not use alcohol around an open flame or spark.
  • Extend the Life of Your Fiber Optic Connectors With Proper Cleaning Methods
  • Always extend the life of your fiber optic connectors by using one of these popular cleaning methods. They are safe to use and will prevent premature failure of your devices. Follow the instructions for more stability in your systems.

Summary

The following context has briefly introduced the procedures of cleaning fiber optic connectors. Note that if you are not sure how to proceed this, you’d better ask an expert for help. Besides this, choose the suitable cleaning tools would also be significant. Fiber-Mart has various fiber optic cleaning tools, such as pen cleaner, cassette cleaner, etc. All of these cleaning tools are provided with high quality and reasonable price. Moreover, we also supply a full range of fiber optic cables like LC to ST fiber cable, SC fiber cable, SC FC patch cord, etc. If you have any requirement of our products, please contact us: product@fiber-mart.com.

 

Considerations for an Effective Fiber Optic Cable Installation

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

It’s safe to say that the advent of fiber optic cable solutions has been one of the best things to happen to technology in recent years. As fiber optic cables carry signals via light rather than electricity, they can travel much greater distances (up to 5,000 miles) and at quicker speeds (up to 10 GB a second) than their coaxial counterparts. Less vulnerable to electrical interference as well, fiber optic cables are able to deliver these signals much more smoothly, often without having to boost or clean a signal that has traveled even a great distance. So with the demand on technology ever-increasing, fiber optic cables are becoming the preferred method of transmission over traditional coaxial solutions.
But how to integrate the demands which the new physical topology of fiber places on cabling installation and maintenance processes?
For starters, the National Electric Contractors Association (NECA), along with the Fiber Optic Association (FOA) jointly developed the “NECA/FOA 301-2009 Standard for Installing and Testing Fiber Optics,” which addresses the emergent demands that fiber optic cables present in the technology environment. The Safety and Installation sections of the NECA/FOA 301-2009 use Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Electric Code (NEC) regulations to address the proper handling of fiber optic cables during installation and maintenance.
If you are considering using fiber optic cables in your installation, take a moment to review a selection of these procedures, and see how fiber-mart.com Products provides you with the products and tools that allow you to adhere to the below guidelines.
Before Installation:
Allow for future growth in the quantity and size of cables when determining the size of the pathway bend radius requirements.
Try to complete the installation in one pull. Prior to any installation, assess the route carefully to determine the methods of installation and obstacles likely to be encountered.
Deploying Effective Vertical Cable Runs:
Check the cable length to make sure the cable being pulled is long enough for the run.
Try to complete the installation in one pull. Prior to installation, asses the route carefully to determine the methods of installation and obstacles likely to be encountered.
When laying loops of fiber on a surface during a pull, use “figure-8” loops to prevent twisting the cable.
All hardware and support structures should follow the recommendations of TIA-569 and NECA/BICSI 568 Standards documents.
Do not exceed the cable bend radius. Fiber optic cables can be broken when kinked or bent too tightly, especially during pulling.
Drop vertical cables down rather than pulling them up.
Support cables at frequent intervals to prevent excess stress on the cable jackets.
Use cable management straps or cable ties to support cable bundles. Make sure these implements are fastened snugly, but not tightly around cable bundles.
Protecting Cables and Equipment from Fiber Residue
Small scraps of bare fiber produced as part of the termination and splicing process must be properly disposed in a safe container. Follow your local regulations – in some areas this material may be considered hazardous waste.
Thoroughly clean the work area when finished, do not use compressed air to clean off the work area.
The small size of optical fibers makes them very sensitive to dust and dirt. Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness when working with fiber optic cables to optimize its performance.
Fiber Optics, Electrical Safety and Proper Grounding and Bonding
Though fiber optic cables are generally all-dielectric, power should be disconnected for the duration of the installation process when working in areas that have installed electrical hardware and power cables.
Fusion splicers create an electric arc. Ensure that there are no flammable vapors and/or liquids present. Do not use in confined spaces as defined by OSHA.
Although most fiber optic cables are non-conductive, any metallic hardware used in fiber optic cabling systems (such as wall-mounted termination boxes, racks and patch panels) must be grounded.