Focus on MTP-link

Characterized by providing ideal plug-and-play solutions for structure cabling, pre-terminated cabling system has gained great popularity among data center manager in recent years, and it is considered as the norm for data center network deployment. In this cabling system, optical link is accomplished by pre-terminated cabling assemblies, such as MTP/MPO trunk cable, MTP/MPO to LC breakout cable, MTP/MPO cassette and MTP/MPO fiber optic patch panel. It not difficult to find that all these MTP/MPO fiber optic cable assemblies are based on the structure of MTP/MPO connector. And two types of MTP/MPO connectors—12 fiber MTP connector and 24 fiber MTP connector are commonly used for 40G and 100G transmission. This article will focus on MTP-link and share share some opinions about MTP-link performance with you.

About Space Utilization

High-density cabling makes the available space in data centers always precious. MTP/MPO fiber optic cable assemblies used in MTP-link that contributes to promoting space utilization are reputably appraised by data center managers. With massive cables being adopted in the data centers to carry out data transmission, MTP-link offers cabling solutions with much higher density and flexibility for data center upgrades.

About Insertion Loss

As well know that insertion loss is inevitable during the cabling. Generally, lower overall optical loss allows more margin for the network to operate, or in the case for some users, offers the option of more connections for patching locations. Therefore, components characterized by low insertion loss will be preferred. For both 12-fiber and 24-fiber MTP/MPO connector performance, the industry standard product rating is 0.5 dB maximum. And using low-loss ferrules, both 12 fiber MPO connector and 24 fiber MPO connector can be rated at 0.35 dB maximum. What’s more, there is no need to worry about higher fiber count will lead to higher insertion loss, because when using proper polishing techniques, 24-fiber MPO/MTP terminations can meet the same performance levels as 12-fiber MPO/MTP assemblies.

About Fiber Utilization

Both 12-fiber MPO cable and 24-fiber MPO cable can be used in 100G applications. When used in 4x25G solutions, 4 fibers of 12-fiber MPO cable will remain unused. As for 24-fiber MPO cable, it can be converted into three 8-fiber 100G channels that run over one cable, with all 24 fibers used to support data transmission. Maybe you feel confused about this, let me take an example. If you need to support twelve 100G channels with the 4x25G standard, by using 12-fiber MPO cable, you will need to install 12 connectors, or 144 fibers total, with 33% of the fiber wasted; while by using 24-fiber MPO cable supporting the same 12 channels, only 4 cables would be required, using 96 fibers total, at 100% fiber utilization.

About Network Performance

It is self-evident that MTP-link offers consistent high levels of network performance for improved network integrity, because the assemblies are factory terminated and the transmission testing is performed by the manufacturer before shipment. This will reduce the likelihood of many problems that may occur with field terminations. Also, testing and troubleshooting time can be greatly saved.

Conclusion

By using MTP components, MTP-link can provide fast installation, high density and high performance cabling for data centers. As 40G and 100G Ethernet is now a trend and hotspot for data center cabling system, MTP-link is a great option for data center managers and the network deployment will benefit a lot from this cabling solution. I hope after reading this article, you can have an in-depth understanding of MTP-link.

What Is Pre-terminated Cabling System in Essence?

As 40G and 100G have been applied in data centers to satisfy the demands of massive data transmission, high-density cabling system has become a common phenomenon. Solutions characterized by quick installation are preferred since they can save time and money. Pre-terminated cabling system has come into data center managers’ sight in recent years, because it can provide quick, plug-and-play network deployment for structure cabling. Then, what is pre-terminated cabling system in essence? And what we can expect from this cabling alternative? The information about pre-terminated cabling system will be fully covered in this article.

Overview of Pre-terminated Cabling System

Pre-terminated cabling system refers to factory manufactured cables and modular components with connectors already attached. Usually those cables and modular components have been tested, qualified and are ready to plug and play in network deployment. In addition, they are available in both fiber and copper cabling. Pre-terminated cabling system simplifies the installation of network devices by providing high-density and plug-and-play solution. Pre-terminated assemblies come in various forms, such as MTP trunk cable, MTP fanout cable or MTP breakout cable, MTP fiber optic cassette and pre-terminated cable bundles with protective pulling grips installed over the connectors at one end (shown as the following figure).

Advantages of Pre-terminated Cabling System

Pre-terminated cabling system can bring a raft of advantages to cable installers and end-users.

Time Saving

The high speed deployment offered by pre-terminated cabling system is an equally important feature which helps to save time in various ways. The quick plug-in connections of network devices allow fiber and copper links to be installed in significantly less time than traditional field-terminated links. In addition, since the assemblies are factory terminated, the transmission testing is performed by the manufacturer before shipment. This greatly saves testing and troubleshooting time. Also, pre-terminated assemblies are factory terminated which reduce many of the problems that may occur with field terminations.

Space Saving

For data centers, the available space for high-density cabling is always precious. Components that contributes to promoting space utilization will gain popularity among data center managers. With massive cables being adopted in the data centers to carry out data transmission, pre-terminated assemblies offer cabling with much higher density and flexibility for data center upgrades.

Labor Saving

With pre-terminated assemblies, you don’t need as many on-site engineers pulling cables in and terminating them. As the pre-terminated links have been pre-tested, this vastly mitigates the need for troubleshooting and retesting.

Cooling Advantage

It is necessary to pay attention to heating and cooling issues in high-density cabling environment. Pre-terminated cabling system allows much more flexibility in configuration for installers working in compact space. It is also able to optimize airflow by using pre-terminated assemblies such as MTP trunk cable and MPO cassette, in conjunction with high density frames.

Applications of Pre-terminated Cabling System

Pre-terminated cabling system is commonly used in two fields: data center and open office. In response to the accelerated network capacity and application processing demands, data centers are expanding dramatically both in number and size. Pre-terminated cabling system provides an ideal plug-and-play solution for links between switches, servers, patch panels, and zone distribution areas in the data center. The open office also benefits from the pre-terminated cabling system which can be quickly reconfigured to match the moves, adds and changes. Pre-terminated cabling system offers unsurpassed advantages over conventional field installed system, which partially explains why the use of factory pre-terminated assemblies continues to grow, especially for data centers.

Conclusion

With several advantages of time saving, space saving, labor saving and cooling, pre-terminated cabling system provides an increasingly popular way of delivering a project in a more timely and cost effective manner. If your data center or network application needs speed and testing simplified installation, pre-termination cabling system is an ideal choice.