INTELLIGENT CABLING
Increasing data volumes
through fibre cabling
The challenge of increasing data rates and data volumes
with minimum increase in energy and cost is resulting in
innovative cabling solutions according to Dr Peter Cristea,
Head of Corp Technology and Innovation, R&M.
U
sing glass fibre as a medium
for rapid data transmission via
light modulation is currently
more fascinating than ever. Research
and development teams from around
the globe are working on the evolution
of transmission methods, network and
connection technology. Ethernet data rates
that used to be barely imaginable, such as
10, 25 or 40 Gigabit Ethernet or GbE, have
been a reality for quite some time now.
New hyperscale and mega datacenters
already use 100 GbE infrastructures.
Well-known mega trends are the
driving force behind these developments.
Virtualisation, cloud computing, video
streaming and others now require
infrastructures that are larger, faster, more
stable and more flexible. Operators of
datacentres, Internet hubs and transport
networks have to cope with an annual
growth in data traffic of 25%. The demand
30
for fibre-optic systems is thus growing
accordingly. According to the market
researchers at LightCounting, this demand
will double again by 2022.
When it comes to optical data
transmission, the situation remains
very exciting. Whether for Ethernet,
InfiniBand or Fibre Channel, or in terms
of the passive network and the active
components – the race to offer higher data
rates with lower energy consumption and
the competition for an optimal cost-per-bit
ratio remain wide open.
At present, the market offers more
transmission methods and connection
options than ever before. Nonetheless, the
question arises as to which connectivity
solution will succeed in making the leap
successfully to 100 and 400 GbE.
With this in mind, it is recommended to
follow a farsighted and thorough approach.
Instead of first looking for the very latest
products on the market, we recommend an
approach based on the physical variables
seen in optical signal transmission.
The three options for achieving
higher data rates are more fibres, more
wavelengths and higher modulation.
The advantages and disadvantages of the
variables and specifications have to be
weighed up first according to the specific
project and the individual preferences.
1. More fibres
If the option of more fibres is considered,
then the points to be discussed include
the following. Parallel optical connection
technology will be the most obvious
technical solution. It is considered
as being robust, well established and
versatile, yet also complex. When
planned correctly it is easily and logically
scalable. The data throughput can be
increased immediately via plug and play.
Issue 13
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS