Category Archives: Fiber Cabling

Which Armored Fiber Cable Should I Choose?

Armored fiber cable with build-in metal armor can provide stronger protection of the optical fibers than standards fiber optic cables. It can protect the optical fibers from rodent, oil, impact, etc. What’s more, some armored fiber can provide maximum bend radius. However, various types of armored fiber cables usually make customers confused. There are too many specific details to consider during selection, like fiber counts, jacket type, structure of the armored fiber cable, etc. This post is offering the details about how to select the right armored fiber cable.

outdoor armored fiber cable

Structure and Application of Armored Fiber Cable

Structures of armored fiber optic cables come in a variety of types according to different applications. There are mainly three types of armored fiber cable: indoor armored fiber cable, outdoor armored fiber cable and indoor/outdoor armored fiber cable. Each of the three armored fiber cables has various subcategories. The structures of the three types of armored fiber optic cable are different from each other. Here takes the example of an indoor light armored fiber cable to introduce the basic structure of armored fiber cables.

armored fiber cable structure

As shown in the above picture, the optical fibers of the armored fiber cable are in the center of the cable covered by metal armor. The metal armor is covered by Kevlar firstly, then by the outer jacket. This is usually the most basic structure of armored fiber cables. For different applications, the structure will change accordingly. Watch the video below to get more details about the basic structure of armored fiber cable and where they are used.

How to Select Armored Fiber Cable?

The selecting of armored fiber optic cable is like the selection of standard fiber cables. Fiber type (OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, or OM4), fiber count and cable riser should all be considered. However, there is many special properties of armored fiber optic cable, the armored fiber cable selection should also consider many other factors.

interlock armor and corrugated armor
Armor Type of Armored Fiber Cables

The market can provide armored fiber cables with different types of armor tubes which are with different structures and materials. The most commonly used armor tubes are with interlock design and corrugated design as shown in the above picture. For now, the interlock armored fiber cable is very popular and being used in a lot of indoor and indoor/outdoor applications. Corrugated armored fiber cable is often used in outdoor applications. As for the materiel for armor tube, steel and aluminum are the most commonly used. Now light steel armored fiber cables are being widely used in a lot of indoor applications, because of its lower weight and flexible properties.

pre-terminated armored fiber cable
Pre-Terminated or Field-Terminated Armored Fiber Cables

As there is a strong metal armored tube inside the armored fiber cable, the termination of armored fiber cable is difficult than that of standard fiber optic cables. In some applications, field-terminated armored fiber cable is better in outdoor applications. While, to save time and ensure transmission quality, many installers will choose pre-terminated armored fiber cables for indoor applications. The pre-terminated armored fiber cables provided by the market are mainly armored fiber patch cable and armored fiber trunk cable. The former looks like the standard fiber patch cable, but it is stronger than the traditional fiber patch cable and is more flexible during cable for it can provide larger bend radius. Pre-terminated armored fiber trunk cable is a length of armored fiber cable with several legs on each ends terminated with fiber optic connectors.

Conclusion

Armored fiber cable is a cost-effective solution for fiber optic link protection. During the selection of the armored fiber cable, except fiber count, fiber type and cable riser, the armored type, cable structure and termination types should also be considered. If you are looking for more information about fiber cable for harsh cabling environment, you can visit another article: Fiber Patch Cables for Harsh Environment.

Related Article: What is Armored Fiber Cable?

Differences Between QSFP-40G-SR4, QSFP-40G-CSR4 and QSFP-40G-CR4

When selecting 40G fiber optic transceivers, customers are easily confused by the standards and models of the 40G modules. This is because the standards of transceiver are generally the combinations of letters and numbers. Some of the standards and models are really similar to each other. Thus, this post is to offer an illustration of three 40G modules whose standards and models are easily misidentified. These 40G modules are QSFP-40G-SR4, QSFP-40G-CSR4 and QSFP-40G-CR4. Details of the three modules will be firstly introduced separately. Then comparison in specific applications among them will be offered.

QSFP-40G-SR4 (40Gbase-SR4)

The three standards look similar. However, they actually have great differences from each other. Here starts from 40Gbase-SR4. Many vendors use “QSFP-40G-SR4” to identify 40G QSFP+ modules that support by 40Gbase-SR4 standards. 40Gbase-SR4 QSFP+ is the most popular 40G fiber optic transceiver for transmission in short distances. 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ module supports link lengths of 100m and 150m, respectively, on OM3 and OM4 multimode fibers. It is a parallel fiber optic transceiver containing a MTP/MPO interfaces, which use 4*10G transmission pattern. With four 10G SFP+ lane in one module, QSFP-40G-SR4 can achieve 40G optical signal transmitting and receiving at the same time via a ribbon fiber cable. The following picture shows how signals are transmitted over a MTP ribbon fiber cable.

40G-SR4 transmission

QSFP-40G-CSR4 (40Gbase-CSR4)

The working principle of QSFP-40G-CSR4 module is similar to QSFP-40G-SR4 module. Both QSFP-40G-CSR4 module and QSFP-40G-SR4 module has MTP/MPO interface. However, 40Gbase-CSR4 module can be regarded as an upgraded version of the 40Gbase-SR4 module. It can support longer 40G transmission up to 300m on OM3 and 400m on OM4. Transmission distance is the biggest different form the two 40G fiber optic transceivers.

QSFP-40G-CR4 (40Gbase-CR4)

QSFP-40G-CR4 module is very much different from the above mentioned two 40G modules. It is a pre-terminated copper cable with both ends terminated with QSFP+ connector. It is known as 40G QSFP+ cable or 40G QSFP+ direct attach cable. Limited by the property of copper cable, QSFP-40G-CR4 can only reach a transmission distance of 7 meters.

QSFP+ DAC

Which One Should You Choose QSFP-40G-SR4, QSFP-40G-CSR4 or QSFP-40G-CR4?

As the above mentioned, QSFP-40G-SR4, QSFP-40G-CSR4 and QSFP-40G-CR4 are all designed for 40G transmission in short distances. Which one is better for your applications? This should be decided by the specific applications. Generally, there are two types of transmission in 40G network: 40G to 40G transmission and 40G to 10G transmission. All the three modules can accomplish the two applications. However, there are some differences.

40Gbase SR4

QSFP-40G-SR4 and QSFP-40G-CSR4 uses the same connection methods for 40G-40G and 40G-10G transmission. For 40G to 40G connections, a length of MTP trunk cable can be used to connect two QSFP-40G-SR4 or QSFP-40G-CSR4 modules to form the whole link. The following picture takes Cisco Nexus 9396PX 40G connection as an example. For 40G to 10G connection, a MTP-8LC harness cable can be used to connect a QSFP-40G-SR4 or QSFP-40G-CSR4 module with other 10G devices.

40G to 40G connection with QSFP-40G-CSR4

For 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach cable (DAC), no additional fiber patch cables are need for 40G to 40G connection. Directly insert the two QSFP+ connector in to the devices, 40G transmission can be achieved. For 40G to 10G transmission, another version of QSFP+ DAC can be used, which is known as QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ direct attach cable. The following picture shows how to connect a 40G port to four 10G port by using a QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ copper cable.

40G to 10G connection

If your transmission distance is less than 150 meters but longer than 7 meters, then QSFP-40G-SR4 module would be the best choice. If your transmission distance is longer than 150 meters, QSFP-40G-CSR4 module is suggested for better network performance. If the transmission distance is less than 7 meters, then QSFP-40G-CR4 modules would be the most cost-effective solutions.

40G Transceiver Module: QSFP+ Module And CFP Module

Fiber Patch Cables for Harsh Environment

It is usually inevitable to deploy fiber cables in harsh environments for both indoor and outdoor applications. Rodents, like squirrels in outdoor and rats in data centers, are cable destroyers which like to bite or chew fiber optic cables. Except that, there are also many other challenges which can harm fiber optic cables and cause fiber failures, like dusts, water or other liquid, accidental impact, etc. Thus, enough protection should be provided for fiber optic network. Two types of fiber patch cables, which are specially designed for harsh cabling environments, will be introduced in this post.

The two fiber patch cables are armored fiber patch cable and IP67 fiber patch cable. As most fiber cable failures are usually caused by fiber breaks and contaminants, the fiber cable and the termination points of the fiber links should all be well protected. And the two types of fiber cable can perfectly meet most requirements of harsh cabling environment.

armored fiber patch cable

Armored Fiber Patch Cable

Unlike traditional fiber patch cables which are fragile and usually need careful operation, armored fiber patch cables are usually much more durable and flexible. Armored fiber patch cable usually has two jackets, one inner jacket and one outer jacket, between which there is a build-in steel tube. Some vendors also provide armored fiber cables with aluminum tube. This robust metal tube can provide optical fibers inside armored fiber cable from the impact and bite from animals. The most commonly used designs of armor used in armored fiber cables are interlock and corrugated. For most outside plant applications, the corrugated armored fiber cables are suggested. Now a lot of armored fiber patch cable uses interlock armor. During operation in data center, armored fiber patch cable can provide a more flexible cabling environment, because it has bend restrictor which can provide optical fibers from over bending. The following picture shows the structure of an armored fiber patch cable.

structure of Armored fiber cable

With its durability and flexibility, armored fiber patch cables and armored fiber cable are widely deployed in today’s network. For data center applications, there is a wide selection of armored fiber patch cables, which are available from different connector type, fiber type, jacket type, fiber count, etc.


OS2 Armored Fiber Patch Cable	OM1/OM2 Armored Fiber Patch Cable	OM3 Armored Fiber Patch Cable	OM4 Armored Fiber Patch Cable

IP67 Fiber Patch Cable

IP67 fiber patch cable is a robust fiber patch cable terminated with specially designed fiber optic connections, which can protection fiber links from the harm of dusts and liquid. “IP67” is the code of Ingress Protection Marking which is a system to provide the protection level of products. The former digit “6” (totally protected against dust) and the latter digit “7” (protection from water dip) is used to describe the protection degrees of dust and liquid separately. The highest level of a fiber patch cable that can be provided in the market is IP68. IP67 fiber patch cable is an ideal solution to protect fiber links, especially the termination points. The fiber connector terminated on the IP67 fiber patch cable is different from traditional ones. A standard fiber optic connector is being protected by a special shell. To connect two IP67 fiber patch cables, special fiber optic adapter should be used for better sealing and protection. The following picture shows a LC-LC fiber patch cable. The following table listed part of the most commonly used IP67 assemblies.


LC-LC IP67 Fiber Patch Cable	MPO-MPO IP67 Fiber Patch Cable	IP67 Fiber Adapters

Conclusion

Fiber cable protection is always the priority of fiber optic networks. Selecting the right patch cable according to applications is essential and necessary. For environments where animals and impact are very common, armored fiber patch cable can be used. For places where liquid and dusts are great challenges, waterproof IP67 fiber patch cable, proving great sealing, is suggested.

Brocade 40G Switch ICX 7750-26Q Cabling Solution

The Brocade ICX 7750 is a series of switches which can provide high-availability capabilities and flexible stacking architecture for 10/40G applications. Brocade ICX 7750 series switches are usually used for 10/40G aggregation and core distribution. Brocade ICX 7750-26Q is a member of Brocade ICX 7750 series, which is a 1U high performance switch with up to 32 40G QSFP+ ports (six optional). This post will offer optics and cabling solution for Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switches.

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q transceivers

Basic of Brocade ICX 7750-26Q Switch

The above picture shows a Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch from FS.COM testing center. On the front panel of Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch, there are 26 40G QSFP+ ports, ICX 7750-6Q module with 6 40G QSFP+ ports can be added on the rear panel of this switch. Thus up to 32 40G QSFP+ ports can be supplied by Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch. It can support transmission applications for both 40G to 40G and 40G to 10G.

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q 40G to 40G Applications

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q can support 40G transmission for both short distances and long distances by using different 40G QSFP+ transceivers and fiber optic cables. The following picture shows the cabling methods for 40G point to point connection. Choosing the proper fiber patch cable for two QSFP+ modules, 40G data transmission between two Brocade ICX 7750 switches can be achieved. In this case, two Brocade 40G-QSFP-LR4 compatible transceivers and a length of LC to LC duplex single-mode fiber patch cable are being used.

brocade-icx7750 40G connection

Brocade compatible QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach cables including (direct attach copper cables and active optical cables) are cost-effective alternatives for Brocade ICX 7750-26Q 40G connections in short distances.

Brocade 40G-QSFP-QSFP-AOC

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q 40G to 10G Applications

As mentioned Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch can also support 40G to 10G applications. A 40G QSFP+ port can be splitted into four 10G SFP+ ports, which can achieve transmission between 10G and 40G. There is a wide selection of Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch 40G to 10G connections. Fanout assemblies play an important role to support these connections.

brocade-icx7750 40G connection

The above picture shows the commonly used connection methods for Brocade ICX 7750-26Q 40G to 10G connections. In this case, Brocade QSFP-40G-PLRL4 compatible transceiver is being used one the Brocade ICX 7750-26Q side. A length of MTP to four duplex LC breakout cable is being used to connect Brocade QSFP-40G-PLRL4 with four 10G SFP+ transceivers inserted in several 10G switches on the opposite side. Also, QSFP+ to SFP+ DACs and AOCs can also be used.

Brocade 40G-QSFP-SR4

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q Fiber Optic Transceivers and Cabling Solutions

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch provides flexible and high density networking environments. This post only provides the optics and cabling solution for Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch. The following table listed the Brocade ICX 7750-26Q compatible transceivers and cables for you references. Kindly visit FS.COM Transceiver modules for BROCADE ICX 7750 page for more details about Brocade ICX 7750 series switches, if you are interested.

Brocade Compatible Modules	Description
40G-QSFP-LR4	40GBASE-LR4 QSFP+ optic (LC), for up to 10 km over SMF
QSFP-40G-PLRL4	40GBASE-PLRL4 QSFP+ (MTP/MPO), 1km over SMF,
40G-QSFP-SR4	40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ optic (MTP), 100 m over MMF
40G-QSFP-SR4-INT	40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ optic (MTP), 100 m over MMF, compatible with 10GB BASE-SR
40G-QSFP-QSFP-C-0101	40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active copper cable, 1 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-C-0301	40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active copper cable, 3 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-C-0501	40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active copper cable, 5 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-AOC-0101	40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active optical cable, 1 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-AOC-0301	40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active optical cable, 3 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-AOC-0501	40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active optical cable, 5 m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-C-0101	4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ copper breakout cable, 1m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-C-0301	4×10 GbE direct-attached h QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ copper breakout cable, 3m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-C-0501	4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ copper breakout cable, 5m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-AOC-0101	4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ active optical cable, 1m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-AOC-0301	4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ active optical cable, 3m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-AOC-0501	4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ active optical cable, 5m

How to Make Full Use of Fiber Optic Enclosure

Fiber optic enclosure is now being widely used in data center to provide high density and safe cabling environment in data centers or server room. With the cabling density of the data center becoming higher and higher, fiber optic enclosures are asked to provide more functions and more flexible cabling environment for various applications. A previous blog post of mine—Which Fiber Patch Enclosure Fits Your Data Center Application—has introduced various types of the fiber optic enclosures that are commonly used. Selecting the right fiber optic enclosure is necessary. The right use of fiber optic enclosure is also very important. This post will offer details about how to make full use of fiber optic enclosure in data center for flexible and manageable cabling environment.

Important Accessories for Flexible Cabling

When you buy an empty fiber optic enclosure, no matter it is a slide-out one or fixed one, there are many accessories like screws and grommet. The front panel of the fiber optic enclosure might not be loaded. There are several accessories that can directly determine the way you use a fiber optic enclosure. Taking the example of a 1U slide-out fiber enclosure as an example (shown in the following picture), the following will introduce three popular ways to use fiber enclosures with different accessories. The accessories required are separate, splice tray & FAP (fiber adapter panel), slack spool & FAP and HD MTP cassette.

1U fiber optic enclosure

Fiber Optic Enclosure for Fiber Splicing Joints

Accessories required for fiber splicing joints in this fiber optic enclosure are splice tray and FAPs. The splicing tray can be installed on the slide-out drawer of the fiber enclosure for fiber splicing joints storing and cabling. An additional multi-fiber pigtail is also required to be fusion spliced with the input fiber optic cable. Then this fiber pigtail will be connected to the FAPs installed on the front panel. The following picture shows the loaded and connected fiber optic enclosure for fiber optic splicing joints.

fiber optic enclosure for splicing joints

Fiber Optic Enclosure for Patch Cord Connections

Patch cording connection fiber optic enclosure is very common. Just install two slack spools and four fiber adapter panels on this fiber enclosure. It could provide an easy-to-manage environment for fiber patch cables. The two spools installed in the slide-out drawer can help to manage these fiber patch cords The following picture shows a breakout fiber patch cable installed in the fiber optic enclosure and being well organized by the spools.

fiber optic enclosure with spools

Fiber Optic Enclosure for MTP Interface to LC Interface Transferring

With the deployment of the 40G/100G network, the transferring between 40G/100G MTP interfaces and 10G LC interfaces is requires. To minimize the installation time and ensure the connection quality, MTP cassettes are widely used. This 1U rack mount fiber optic enclosure can hold up to 4 HD MTP cassettes. The following picture shows the loaded fiber optic enclosure with four HD MTP cassettes which are connected by several input MTP trunk cables.

fiber enclosure with MTP cassettes

Summary

Using different accessories fiber optic enclosures can meet diverse cabling environment requirements. The above mentioned three methods are the most commonly used ones. Kindly visit FS.COM or contact sales@fs.com for more details about fiber optic enclosure, if you are interested.

Tutorials Of Fiber Optic Products

Here You Can Find The Best Fiber Optic Tutorials!