FS Structured Cabling: Key to Reliable Data Center Networks

Overview

The structured cabling plays a vital role in data centers as data throughput continues to increase. Governments, enterprises, campuses and other industries have increasing requirements for network performance. Customers not only need independent data centers, but also expect their networks to have high security and reliability.

Structured cabling effectively manages numerous interconnected active devices, preventing cable chaos and improving maintenance efficiency. It ensures that the data center network always runs stably and efficiently.

The Basic of Structured Cabling

What is Structured Cabling？

Structured cabling provides a standardized method for designing and constructing network infrastructure. This approach includes installing a comprehensive system of cables, connectors, and related hardware that facilitates the transmission of data, voice, and video signals across the data center.

For structured cabling in data centers, the TIA-942 standard defines five different cross-connect and interconnection areas: Main Distribution Area (MDA), Intermediate Distribution Area (IDA), Horizontal Distribution Area (HDA), Zone Distribution Area (ZDA), and Equipment Distribution Area (EDA). These areas represent the complete network from racks and cabinets to routers, switches, and other components.

Benefits of Structured Cabling

Despite the rise of cloud-based systems, structured cabling remains essential for data centers to maximize operational efficiency and agility with change.

First, proper planning and expert structured cabling installation ensures that your cables stay organized and hidden until you need to find them. Second, tracing and identifying errors and bugs is quicker and simpler with a well-organized structured cabling system. In addition, structured cabling is designed to accommodate various types of network applications, such as Ethernet, fiber optic, and wireless technologies. This flexibility allows for future-proofing, as new technologies can be easily integrated into the existing cabling infrastructure.

Overall, the basics of structured cabling involve careful planning, installation, and organization of cables and related components to create reliable data center networks.

Major Concerns in Data Center Cabling

Businesses aim to optimize data center cabling to eliminate delays and reduce downtime. They also want to comply with evolving standards while keeping pace with increasing transmission speeds to maintain their competitive edge. However, they now face multiple challenges!

Wiring Complexity

As the number of devices increases, the complexity of wiring also rises. The need to support various types of connections makes cable management more challenging. When issues arise, locating and fixing the problems often requires significant time and manpower.

Space Limitations

Traditional data center wiring often has a low density, occupying considerable space without efficient layout in limited areas. There's a need for structured cabling solutions to save space and ensure the efficient operation of equipment.

Cost Control

While large data centers benefit from economies of scale to reduce the cost per device, small to medium-sized data centers face greater pressure regarding procurement and maintenance expenses. Implementing well-defined area divisions within the facility can streamline management and significantly lower operational costs.

Limited Expansion

Many data centers have predetermined equipment configurations and layouts established during initial construction. As business needs evolve, these original designs may struggle to meet new technical requirements or capacity demands. This makes expansion and upgrades challenging, often requiring significant time and resources to implement changes effectively.

How FS Structured Cabling Solves Key Challenges

To build high-performance data center network, FS has launched a structured cabling solution. This solution uses flexible and scalable pre-terminated cables, fiber cassettes, and fiber & copper patch panels, to create efficient connections between the MDA and HDA, as well as the HDA and EDA. This not only meets the cabling and upgrade needs of data centers but also reduces cabling costs by 30-40%.

FHD® Series Simplifies Network Deployment

The FHD® series is the core product of FS's structured cabling solutions. This series offers various sizes and styles, making it a versatile solution for building backbone networks, data centers, and enterprise applications. The FHD® panels or cassettes allow up to 144F LC connections in a 1U FHD® enclosure, which significantly optimizes space utilization.

Furthermore, with cable management accessories or integrated structures, it enables flexible cabling during operation, thus saving both time and labor. The plug-and-play design ensures quick network connections and deployments, making it easy to handle future data center upgrades and enabling more convenient infrastructure expansion.

MTP® Cables Unlock Seamless Migration

This structured cabling system uses MTP® cables to replace time-consuming field terminations for a cost-effective solution. It is designed for high-density fiber patching in data centers that need space saving and reduce cable management problems.

These Corning ClearCurve® and SMF-28® Ultra Fiber reduce optical loss in tight bends for slack storage and routing. Based on MT technology, the high-performance US Conec MTP® connectors offer low insertion loss for both data center and carrier-grade applications. Furthermore, the OFNP fire safety rating provides top-level safety protection for data centers. It is safe for plenum air spaces and minimizes flame spread and smoke generation.

In all, the structured cabling built on MTP® cables facilitates a seamless migration to higher data rates within data centers. It can also be extended to any technology you may be using, including new parallel applications such as 400G Ethernet.

Clear Color Coding Boosts Efficiency

Color coding is an essential part of structured cabling. It connects the colors of different components (cables and connectors) with their respective functions or uses. This not only keeps the overall wiring neat and organized but also effectively prevents confusion and channel loss in data centers with multiple fiber mode cabling.

Worried about consistency and interoperability? FS's color coding follows industry standards and regulations, making it perfectly compatible with other manufacturers' products. Maintaining a consistent color coding standard allows for quicker installation and connection of new equipment, which significantly enhances operational efficiency.

Advanced Testing for Stable Migration

All MTP® cables deployed in FS structured cabling solutions undergo rigorous performance and connectivity testing. To ensure a stable and seamless migration of data center networks, these tests utilize instruments from leading brands such as Fluke and Dimension.

Local Team Speeds Up Deployment

In addition to providing ongoing pre-sales and post-sales technical support, our local technical team can provide installation guidance, saving time and reducing costs by 30-40% within a week.

Our Australian warehouse ensures ample inventory for efficient fulfillment. Cabling products facilitate tool-free installation and enhance cabling efficiency by around 30%.

Conclusion

FS structured cabling is committed to improving performance, optimizing connectivity and ensuring seamless integration in high-density networks. The FHD® modular design allows easy upgrades, extending infrastructure lifespan and reducing costs.

In addition, our customizable MTP® cables complement products such as fiber cassettes, adapters, panels and tools, providing versatile solutions to meet the diverse needs of data center network configurations and application scenarios.