How structured cabling can help scale networks, ease complexity By Networks Asia Special Projects Team

Accelerating change brought on by disruptive trends requirements – such as some equipment sensors and actuators, alarm such as cloud computing, (IoT) and systems and RFID readers – have spurred the industry to explore network convergence will require data center (DC) and possibilities in the more cost-effective and space-efficient single-pair enterprise building networks to support the seemingly insatiable need for more bandwidth. By 2021, traffic Ethernet. IEEE is developing specifications such as the 802.3cg 10 Mbps within the DC could is expected to account for 71% of Ethernet to support these applications. annual global data center traffic, which is expected to hit 20.6 ZB per year. Reliable base to scale Inevitably, the infrastructure will have to carry higher speeds to keep pace with not only today’s demands but also tomorrow’s unknowns. In the IoT era, balanced copper cabling will still be required to provide Here, structured cabling offers an organized standards-based approach data and remote power connectivity to a host of networked sensors to managing and utilizing DC and building connectivity. It allows for and actuators used in building automation applications. Supporting flexibility, scalability and speed of migration to comply with industry wired and wireless , workhorse cabling like the SYSTIMAX standards redefining infrastructure in buildings and DCs for emerging GigaSPEED X10D, which can run up to 10 Gbps, is an integral part of bandwidth-intensive applications. the intelligent CommScope Universal Connectivity Grid.

In September last year, for instance, all six parts of the 3rd Edition of Yet, faced with constant change and spiraling cost of network ISO/IEC 11801 were approved. This significant development upgrades downtime, the stakes are probably highest for data centers, which the minimum horizontal cabling requirements in offices from Category form the heart of network operations and data communications. 5e to Category 6 and recommends Category 6A cabling to support applications with data rates exceeding one gigabit per second. The Not surprising then that organizations are re-evaluating their IT and upgrades align with an increasing number of devices becoming networking strategies. Data center managers are now challenged to available with 2.5GBASE-T, 5GBASE-T and 10GBASE-T ports. They deploy faster and more efficient optics; switch from the traditional include the newest generation of IEEE 802.11ac wireless access points, three-layer vertical hierarchy to flatter, heavily meshed leaf-and-spine cameras, and high-end desktop workstations. architectures; and migrate to higher lane speeds.

For fiber deployments, a key update is the addition of OM5 multimode A case in point is Zhongshan Securities, a securities trading company fiber cabling, which facilitates cost-effective, high-speed migration. The based in Shenzhen. It needed a network that could support not inclusion supports short-wave division multiplexing technologies with only its existing complex service delivery mechanisms and advanced higher speeds over fewer multimode pairs for 200 Gbit/s, 400 Gbit/s technologies, but also scale to support future operations. and beyond being specified by IEEE. To support its growing network of more than 80 branches in China that Meanwhile, structured cabling networks are also poised to integrate a manages assets worth hundreds of billion dollars, the company deployed growing assortment of IoT-based sensors and devices. Some will require CommScope’s high-density copper cable modular panels that are the power output or bandwidth capacity that only four-pair Ethernet designed to support 48 modular ports in 1U with SYSTIMAX Category cabling supports. But devices with minimal power and bandwidth 6/Category 6A cabling. The modular panels support 48 ports without requiring a horizontal cable management unit and can be seamlessly upgraded to the GigaSPEED X10D Category 6A 10 Gb performance. High speed, small spaces

Further, the company also deployed the SYSTIMAX modular These two case studies highlight how the SYSTIMAX platform of fiber shelf, which has bend restrictors integrated into its cable advanced copper and fiber connectivity, with automated infrastructure management bracket slots to give maximum interior space. management and high-efficiency interfaces, is helping organizations The solution not only saves half the space in the company’s to easily support multiple generations of applications while ensuring existing rack units but also supports seamless upgrade to MPO standards compliance. Backed by a global alliance of CommScope- preterminated optical cable connection systems. certified expertise, organizations can now find innovative and yet standards-compliant ways to enable more connections in increasingly Ease of use and simplicity of management of the systems were crowded data center spaces. key factors of consideration at Zhongshan Securities. Similarly, the South Australian Health Medical Research Institute’s (SAHMRI) new For example, the SYSTIMAX portfolio includes the LazrSPEED OM5 research facility in Adelaide, Australia, needed a secure, fast and Wideband Multimode fiber, which enables duplex transmission of flexible network infrastructure. 100G and higher bandwidth to practical distances in the data center. It is also backward-compatible with the substantial embedded base The institute leveraged expertise in the CommScope PartnerPRO of LazrSPEED 300 and 550 fibers. Complementing fiber connectivity Network to select the right solutions to meet its requirement. is high-speed copper cabling like the GigaSPEED X10D – the smallest SAHMRI now uses the GigaSPEED X10D copper cabling for horizontal Category 6A cable – that offers superior crosstalk performance on a connections and a combination of TeraSPEED and LazrSPEED fiber reduced core. for network backbones. The CommScope SYSTIMAX 360 solutions include the imVision solution that provides real-time view of the All in, the SYSTIMAX structured cabling solutions enable organizations network physical layer for fast troubleshooting and improved security. to tackle current connectivity needs as well as future challenges with options that install quickly, scale easily and perform as fast as standards will allow.

This is a QuestexAsia feature commissioned by CommScope.

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© 2018 CommScope, Inc. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, all trademarks identified by ® or ™ are registered trademarks, respectively, of CommScope, Inc. This document is for planning purposes only and is not intended to modify or supplement any specifications or warranties relating to CommScope products or services. CommScope is committed to the highest standards of business integrity and environmental sustainability with a number of CommScope’s facilities across the globe certified in accordance with international standards, including ISO 9001, TL 9000, and ISO 14001. Further information regarding CommScope’s commitment can be found at www.commscope.com/About-Us/Corporate-Responsibility-and-Sustainability. This is a QuestexAsia feature commissioned by CommScope. This article first appeared in www.NetworksAsia.net CO-113099-EN (10/18)