Standards and Cabling Options For Data Center Networks: Editorial Guide

Editorial Guide
Standards and
Cabling Options for
Data Center Networks
Data centers present the most opportunity and
greatest challenges for designers, installers and
managers of networks and structured cabling
systems today. Industry standards, combined
with new developments by vendors across the
networking spectrum, provide a technology
roadmap for those who must plan and implement
structured cabling systems in data centers of all
sizes. This Cabling Installation & Maintenance
editorial guide provides information on the latest
standards developments as well as cabling-media
sponsored by:
options, to guide professionals planning longterm support for their data center applications.
approves
10GBase-T
2 TIA
8
942-A data
equipment
center standard
availability
17 Smarter,
greener
infrastructure
for
23 Prospects
all-optical
cabling
TIA approves 942-A data

center standard
Among the changes from the standards original version,
the revision recognizes Category 6 and recommends
Category 6A for horizontal copper cabling.
by Patrick McLaughlin
he Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Engineering
Committee TR-42 Telecommunications Cabling Systems has approved

the publication of TIA-942-A, the revised Telecommunications
Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers.
The revised standard was several years in development. In May 2010, Cabling
Installation & Maintenance published an article authored by TIA-942-A co-editor
Jonathan Jew, president of J&M Consultants. The article outlined the changes from
the original TIA-942 standard that were anticipated to be included in TIA-942-A.
Recently, Jew summarized for us the changes in the new standard as follows.
Incorporate Addenda to TIA-942:
:: Addendum 1 - Additional coaxial cabling specifications and revised distances
:: A
ddendum 2 - General updates including revised tiering, the addition of
Category 6A, 3-level lighting protocol, revised temperature and humidity limits
Restructuring standards - Integrate into the TIA-568-C series:
:: R
eference generic cabling topology (horizontal = cabling subsystem 1,
distributor C = MC, B = IC, A = HC), terms, and MICE (mechanical ingress,
climatic, electromagnetic) environmental classifications
Cabling Installation & Maintenance :: EDITORIAL GUIDE
TIA approves 942-A data center standard
:: Move bonding and grounding content to TIA-568-B

:: Move administration content to TIA-606-B
:: M
ove racks and cabinets, power and telecom separation, environmental
requirements (temperature and humidity) to TIA-569-C and new addendum
:: Move outside plant pathways to TIA-758-B
Harmonize with international standards:
:: A
dopt the terms Equipment Outlet (EO) and External Network Interface (ENI interface between external and internal networks in data center located in the
entrance room)
:: S
tandardize on LC for 1 or 2 fibers and MPO for more than 3 fibers on a single
connector
:: R
emove distance limitation for horizontal cabling of optical fiber (based on
application)
Higher Bandwidth Applications
:: R
emove support for Category 3 and Category 5e for horizontal cabling, retain for
backbone cabling for console connections, telephone/modem lines, WAN circuits
:: M
inimum requirement of Category 6 for horizontal cabling, recommendation is
Category 6A (or higher)
:: R
emove support for OM1 and OM2; minimum requirement is OM3;
recommendation is OM4
:: Retain singlemode fiber and 734/735 coax
Energy efficiency:
:: New section on energy efficiency
:: W
ider range of temperature and humidity (see TIA-568-C) based on new
ASHRAE TC 9.9 guidelines
:: U
se of enclosures or enclosure systems to improve energy efficiency (cabinets
with isolated supply or return, cabinet cooling systems, hot or cold aisle
containment, panels and cable management that reduce air bypass, brushes/
grommets on floor tiles)

:: 3
-Level Lighting Protocol - lighting levels based on occupancy and function (1.
Lighting levels are minimal when the space is not occupied - enough for video
surveillance. 2. Initial entry - safe passage. 3. Occupied - 500 lux.)
:: Recommend the use of energy efficient lighting such as LED
Larger and modular data centers:
:: N
ew space, Intermediate Distribution Area (IDA), containing the Intermediate
Crossconnect (IC)
:: I DA also being adopted in ISO/IEC 24764 in new addendum, but will be called
the Intermediate Distributor (ID)
:: E
limination of requirement that centralized optical fiber technologies be
limited to one building to accommodate modular data centers using outdoor
containers/modules
Coaxial cabling specs
The first addendum made to the original TIA-942 standard, which was
incorporated into the 942-A revision, deals specifically with the deployment of
coaxial-style cabling systems in data centers.
The addendum (and now the 942-A standard) includes four primary elements.
1) It specifies additional requirements for connectors to be used for 75-ohm
coaxial cabling in data centers (Type 734 and 735 coaxial cabling).
2) It specifies testing requirements for 75-ohm coaxial cabling in data centers.
3) It provides an allowance for longer horizontal cabling originating from the
main distribution area (MDA) for coaxial cabling.
4) It amends E1, T1, E3 and T3 maximum circuit distances specified in Annex A of
TIA-942.
Comments from TIA
Recently, Jonathan Jew and TIAs associate vice president of technology and
standards, Herb Congdon, discussed 942-A in a video produced by TIA. Their
discussion included some of the standards implications for designers, installers

and users of structured cabling systems.
In that video, Jew noted, To harmonize with international standards, we
eliminated the 100-meter channel restriction for horizontal cabling using opticalfiber cabling. Its now based on application, and not limited to 100 meters.
He also provided some detail on the addition of the intermediate distribution area
(IDA) and intermediate crossconnect (IC) to the standard: To provide flexibility in
new data center designs being developed, we added the IDA and IC. This allows
you to support large data centers and modular data centers much more easily.
Also in that video, Congdon offered, Clearly in the data center world, where
theres concentrated data supply chain going in and out, higher data rates are
necessary. Many of the changes made to the standard were done so data centers
could support these higher data rates. The 40- and 100-Gbit data rates are out
there now, products are being displayed, and the data center standard is ready to
accommodate those through these revisions.
Jew was then asked to speculate on the direction that the standards next revision
might take. (ANSI TIA standards are due for affirmation, revision or withdrawal
on a five-year cycle.) Jew responded, Well probably be adding support for the
next generation of Ethernet, so that will be 400-Gig or maybe Terabit Ethernet.
Were also in TIA TR-42 working on the next-generation balanced twisted-pair
cabling, so its likely we will support that. And I think well support something
like 40-Gig over balanced twisted-pair cabling. Well also probably make some
changes to support the evolving data center switch fabrics.
In response to the same question, Congdon said, I believe well continue to see
some evolution in energy efficiency and sustainable technologies that can be
implemented in data centers and other locations. I think that by incorporating
those into the data center standard, evaluating those technologies, well continue
to see some changes in our standardsnot just the data center standard but
others as well.
Jew and Congdon also discussed energy efficiency as it relates to data center
operation. Jew discussed some of the specifications in 942-A that are also listed in
this article, which are aimed at achieving energy efficiency.
Congdon spent some time discussing the Sustainable Technology Environments
Program (STEP), of which TIA is a member.
The video can be viewed at www.tianow.org.
Not a Cabling Installation & Maintenance magazine subscriber? Click here to request a free subscription.
Patrick McLaughlin is chief editor of Cabling Installation & Maintenance.
6
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10GBase-T equipment
availability and the future
of copper media
Summarizing 10GBase-Ts ABCs of
availability, benefits and cost.
by Ron Cates, PLX Technology and Valerie Maguire, Siemon
hile it may be so that good things come to those who wait,
too much waiting can lead to uncertainty. Take 10GBase-T

networking products, for example. The 10GBase-T standard
published almost six years ago and the long wait for network
gear has provided fodder for the digital rumor mill to churn. This has led to the
misperception that 10GBase-T is the end of the line for copper balanced twistedpair media and network equipment. The fact is that the extended time to market
can be explained by the recent economic recession and the desire to integrate
significant power-efficiency enhancements into this new technology. These
challenges have been overcome and all indicators are that adoption of 10GBase-T
solutions is poised to take off in 2012.
This article presents the truths behind the myths surrounding 10GBase-T and the
future of copper twisted-pair Ethernet applications.
10GBase-T network
equipment is available
and deployment
rates are increasing.
Although initially
hampered by powerhungry implementations,
10GBase-T equipment availability and the future of copper media
todays chip technology that delivers the 10GBase-T bit stream (also called a
PHY) capitalizes on an advanced 40-nm lithography manufacturing process,
which cuts power use, board size and cost. As a result, significant adoption of
10GBase-T technology is expected to begin in 2012. During this year, at least
20 new platforms (e.g. switches, servers and network interface cards [NICs])
using 10GBase-T PHY devices are expected to have broad market availability. In
addition, a new market research report issued by The Linley Group forecasts more
than 2.7 million ports of 10GBase-T PHYs to ship in 2012a sharp rise from the
182,000 ports counted as shipped in 2011. The trend lines shown in the Figure
below depict The Linley Groups forecast for several different types of 10-Gbit/sec
Ethernet applications over the next few years. Note that 10GBase-T is expected to
achieve a dominant market position in 2014. The adoption rates forecasted by The
Linley Group are consistent with the historical Ethernet adoption profile, whereby
optical networking interfaces precede copper interfaces but copper port counts
greatly outnumber optical port counts soon thereafter.
10GBase-T and copper balanced twisted-pair cabling offer unique benefits
compared to other 10-Gbit/sec Ethernet solutions. With cost and power
dissipation significantly reduced with the newer 40-nm PHY devices, and further
reductions enabled by 28-nm devices expected in 2013, data center managers can
now capitalize on the fundamental advantages offered by 10GBase-T technology,
which include the following.
:: T
he ability to interoperate with legacy slower-speed Ethernet technologies
through the function of autoForecasted adoption rate of 10-Gbit/sec
negotiation
Ethernet applications
Port count 1,000
:: T
he ease of deploying a copper
balanced twisted-pair cabling
system and the use of familiar
cabling and connector interfaces
35,000
10GBASE-CR (direct attach assemblies)
30,000
10GBASE-S, 10GBASE-L, and

10GBASE-E (optical fiber)
10GBASE-KR (backplane)
10GBASE-T
(balanced twisted-pair)
25,000
20,000
15,000
The Linley Group forecasts that 10GBase-T port

shipments (purple line) will climb from 182,000
in 2011 to 2.7 million in 2012, and continue to
climb rapidly thereafter.
10,000
5,000
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
Adoption year
1203CIMstandardsF1
2014
2015
Source: The Linley Group
:: T
he flexibility of 100-meter, 4-connector structured cabling topologies to
support additions, moves, and changes in local area network (LAN) and data
center environments
:: The ability to deliver Power over Ethernet (PoE and PoE Plus)
Interoperability with legacy Ethernet equipment via auto-negotiation is of

particular significance as it enables data center expansions and expenditures to
occur incrementally. Rather than demanding a wholesale upgrade of all servers
and switches to 10-Gbit/sec capability, which is necessary for non-negotiating
Ethernet systems transmitting over optical-fiber media or direct-attach assemblies
such as SFP+, 10GBase-T network equipment supports 10-Gbit/sec transmission to
new servers and can also auto-negotiate down to 1-Gbit/sec (or slower) speeds to
support legacy servers. In this way, data centers can deploy future-ready switching
architectures. A 10GBase-T switch can communicate effectively with legacy 1-Gbit/
sec and 100-Mbit/sec servers today and allow 10-Gbit/sec servers to be introduced
when required and supported by expense allocations tomorrow.
10GBase-T port power dissipation

versus technology
Power dissipation (W/port)
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
10
130nm
65nm
40nm
28nm
Lithography manufacturing process type
The
manufacturing process used to develop
1203CIMstandardsF2
PHYs has an impact on the ultimate power
dissipation of those PHYs. This chart shows
that as the 10GBase-T manufacturing
process is refined (from an original 130-nm
lithography process to a second-generation
62-nm process, then the current 40-nm and
anticipated future 28-nm processes), the Watt/
port power-dissipation level decreases.
Another major catalyst to 10GBase-T

adoption will be the introduction of LANon-motherboard (LoM) chips. Expected to
be introduced in mid-2012, these devices
will allow server manufacturers to also
implement auto-negotiation technology
into their gear. The implications of
this development are quite profound,
as for the first time servers will come
preconfigured with Ethernet connections
able to negotiate to 100-Mbit/sec, 1-Gbit/
sec or 10-Gbit/sec speeds depending on
the capabilities of other devices in the
network. The data center manager will
want to be ready for this development
by deploying 10GBase-T-capable switches
that can extract the full capability of the
server to which it is connected.
10GBase-T PHY power consumption is well managed. 10GBase-T device power

dissipation has been closely scrutinized and has been rapidly declining since
the technology was first standardized by the IEEE 802.3 in 2006. Early PHY
implementations were created using a 130-nm lithography manufacturing
process, and they dissipated approximately 10W per port. By comparison, the 40nm devices available today are capable of less than 4W-per-port dissipation. And
the 28-nm devices anticipated in 2013 are expected to dissipate less than 2.5W
per port. The figure on page 10 highlights this trend.
Two protocols can further improve power dissipation. In addition to the
reductions afforded by advances in semiconductor technology, Base-T systems
and 10GBase-T in particularare able to take advantage of some unique and
standards-based algorithms that exploit the nature of computer traffic to further
reduce power dissipation. In particular, there are opportunities to improve
efficiency when network equipment is idle for both sustained, and very short,
time periods.
Wake-on-LAN (WoL) is a new networking standard formed by the Advanced
Manageability Alliance whereby network equipment, such as a server, is put in
sleep mode until awakened by a special network signal called a magic packet.
The servers NIC reverts to a very low power-dissipation mode during the sleep
period, but remains alert and waiting for the magic packet. Once the packet
arrives, the server is awakened and normal operation is resumed. Because
the wakeup time associated with WoL is typically tens of seconds, this powermanagement strategy is best suited for use when servers are expected to be
idle for long periods of time, such as at night or during other lengthy periods
of inactivity. Even the most active of data centers experiences periods of time
in which only a portion of its capacity is needed. This is a natural consequence
of over-building resources to accommodate peak compute demands and the
temporal and seasonal fluctuation in those demands due to non-uniform user
locations and time schedules.
11
WoL can take advantage of these demand fluctuations with startling results;
putting even a single server with a typical power dissipation of 500W to sleep
gains much more benefit than the difference in power of hundreds of transceiver
devices. Equally important, 10-Gbit/sec Ethernet deployed over optical media or
SFP+ direct-attach assemblies is not designed to support the WoL protocol at this
time and, as a result, these systems always dissipate their full power. WoL is
an important strategy employed uniquely by 10GBase-T to reduce overall power
consumption in the data center.
While WoL is designed for lengthy idle periods, another technology called Energy
Efficient Ethernet (EEE) is specifically designed to take advantage of the bursty
nature of computer traffic. It is the case that typical Ethernet traffic contains
many gaps, which can range in duration from microseconds to milliseconds.
Heretofore, these gaps have been filled with so-called idle patterns or
waveforms containing no real computer information, but whose transitions can
be used for maintaining clock synchronization between transceivers. The EEE
algorithm exchanges those idle patterns for Low Power Idle (LPI) mode where very
little power is dissipated.
The LPI mode used during idle periods requires a new signaling scheme
composed of alerts over the line and alerts to and from station management.
When in the LPI mode, a refresh signal is used to keep receiver parameters, such
as timing lock, equalizer coefficients and canceller coefficients, current. These are
also critical to enable fast transitions from LPI to active modes. Typical transition
times from active to LPI mode and back are in the three-microsecond range, so
implementation of EEE introduces minimal latency into the network.
The bottom line is that transceiver power savings using the EEE algorithm
can range from 50 percent to 90 percent depending on actual data patterns.
For example, a 28-nm 10GBase-T transceiver with a typical active mode power
dissipation of 1.5W for 30-meter reach will dissipate only 750W when using the
EEE algorithm with typical computer data patterns. Even better, system-level
EEE optimizations implemented in switches and Ethernet controller silicon are
expected to save far more power than EEE optimizations in the transceiver
because the energy consumption of the entire switch or server (which is more
than double the power per port of even the previous generation of transceivers)
can be leveraged.
12
10GBase-T short reach mode is another power-dissipation improvement

strategy. Another feature present in 10GBase-T PHYs, which can greatly aid
Per-port cost comparison, 10-Gbit/sec Ethernet and media types

QSFP + active optical assembly (15m)
Equipment
Maintenance
Channel/assembly
QSFP + active module w/MTP jumper (15m)

QSFP + passive copper (7m)
SFP + active module w/LC jumpers (15m)
SFP + passive copper (7m)
CX4 passive copper (15m)
OM3/MTP multimode (30m, 2-connector)
OM3/LC multimode (110m, 2-connector)
Category 6A UTP - F/UTP (30m, 2-connector)
0
8,
00
0
7,
00
6,
00
5,
00
4,
00
3,
00
0
1,
00
0
2,
00
0
Category 7A S/FTP (30m, 2-connector)
This per-port cost

comparison for 10-Gbit/
sec Ethernet options
shows that when
equipment (server port
and network interface
card), media and annual
maintenance costs are
considered, the systems
using balanced twistedpair copper media are the
most cost-effective.
in
the reduction of overall power dissipation, is the ability to automatically
1203CIMstandardsF3
detect channel length between compliant transceivers. When the channel
length is less than 100 meters, 10GBase-T transceivers are able to reduce their
power dissipation while still maintaining fully compliant bit error rate (BER)
performance. This so-called short-reach mode takes advantage of the larger
signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) present due to lower signal attenuation in short
channels, and the power-dissipation reductions can be dramatic. For example,
because the signal strength at the transceiver is significantly larger if it is
attenuated by only 10 meters of cabling as opposed to 100 meters of cabling,
transmit power can be significantly reduced without adversely affecting BER. It
is a common misperception that short-reach mode is an on/off condition that is
directly tied to a specific link length (e.g. 30 meters). In fact, the short-reach mode
power-dissipation profile is contiguous and scalable versus length.
In short-reach mode, not only can transmit power be reduced, but the number of
filter taps used for echo cancellation and line equalization also can be curtailed
and powered down internally in the device. As an example, a transceiver typically
with 3.5W of power dissipation when connected to a 100-meter channel can
exhibit power dissipation of only 2.5W when connected to a 30-meter channel, or
less than 2W when connected to a 10-meter channel. Because many newer data
center configurations rely on shorter cable lengths than the maximum length of
100 meters, exploiting this feature is growing in importance.
13
The most cost-effective 10-Gbit/sec Ethernet application. While reach, power

consumption and backward compatibility are important considerations when
selecting media, most designers will assert that cost significantly influences the
decision-making process. The truth is that 10GBase-T offers more benefits and
flexibility than other 10-Gbit/sec applications at the most favorable price point.
The figure on page 13 shows the equipment (server port and NIC), media and
annual maintenance costs for one channel and its corresponding 10-Gbit/sec
port connections, which are representative of the types and lengths of media
commonly deployed in data centers.
The most economical choice for 10-Gbit/sec transmission is 10GBase-T network
equipment in conjunction with Category 6A UTP, Category 6A F/UTP, or Category
7A S/FTP balanced copper twisted-pair cabling. The same conclusion is reached
when this analysis is repeated for channels and their corresponding port
connections that represent the types and lengths of media commonly deployed in
horizontal LAN cabling. It is this cost advantage that will drive the rapid adoption
of 10GBase-T in 2012.
Interest in speeds beyond 10 Gbits/sec over copper balanced twisted-pair
cabling is growing. The most significant confirmation that Base-T Ethernet
applications have a strong future is the growing interest in next-generation
cabling. This media will be targeted to support the copper balanced twisted-pair
application that comes after 10GBase-T. Because Ethernet applications in the LAN
backbone and data center core have always preceded Ethernet specifications for
the LAN horizontal and data center edge, it is a good bet that the next Ethernet
over balanced twisted-pair speed will be 40 Gbits/sec to supplement IEEE
802.3ba-compliant 40-Gbit/sec Ethernet computer backplanes and optical-fiber
network gear. At this time, the biggest driver demonstrating the great industry
commitment to, interest in and investment in the future of copper-based Ethernet
is the work being done by the ISO/IEC and TIA to develop next-generation cabling
specifications to support such an application.
14
ISO/IEC recently initiated a project to develop a new standard tentatively titled

ISO/IEC 11801-99-x Guidance for balanced cabling in support of at least 40 GBit/s
data transmission. This proposed two-part standard will address capabilities of
both existing ISO/IEC 11801-compliant channels and channels with extended and/
or enhanced performance characteristics. TIA is currently working on a project
called Specifications for 100 Next Generation Cabling, expected to be published
as Addendum 1 to ANSI/TIA-568-C.2. These massive project initiatives reaffirm

the strength and popularity of Base-T applications and balanced copper twistedpair cabling media.
While 10-Gbit/sec Ethernet-ready copper balanced twisted-pair cabling has
been available for some time, it has been a long and anxious wait for 10GBase-T
equipment to reach the broad market. That wait is over. 10GBase-T network
equipment offers greater reach and flexibility than any other 10-Gbit/sec copper
solution and is a very attractive alternative to 10-Gbit/sec optical fiber solutions
when deployed channel lengths are less than 100 meters. Data center and LAN
IT managers who had the foresight to install 10-Gbit/sec Ethernet-ready copper
balanced twisted-pair cabling in their networks are poised to capitalize on the
negotiation and power-reduction features of 10GBase-T and begin incremental
server and switch upgrades to relieve network congestion and increase capacity
this year. The rest have a little catching up to do.
Ron Cates is vice president of marketing, network products, at PLX Technology,

a producer of 10GBase-T transceivers. Valerie Maguire is global sales engineer
at Siemon.
15
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Smarter, greener infrastructure

designs for data centers
Efficient cooling, improved space utilization,
high-density connectivity, and network
convergence can reduce costs and waste.
by Denis Blouin, Belden
ith energy costs rising, building owners and managers are
searching for ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs

and improve their carbon footprint. One area of the enterprise
key to that
effort is the data centerthe
IT systems central nervous
center.
Studies have shown that data
centers currently use as much
as one to two percent of the
total power consumption in
the United States, and that
figure is likely to increase.
When seeking greener, more
sustainable solutions, the data
center is a good place to start.
17
Multiple approaches are

available for functional areas
of the data center that can help
to enhance energy efficiency,
Beldens AEHC Airflow Management System mounts atop

an enclosure, monitors heat loads, and regulates fan-speed
accordingly.
Smarter, greener infrastructure designs for data centers
improve power management and facilitate space savings. Among these are the
use of Energy Star servers and high-efficiency power distribution units (PDUs).
Too often overlooked, however, are the physical-layer components within the data
centers networking infrastructure and, arguably, these are equally important.
Essentially, there are three efficiencies to strive for in greening the data center:
cooling, power management and density. This article explains why building owners
and data center managers need to select the information and communication
networks physical layer components with optimal performance, efficiency and
sustainability in mind.
Cooling and power-management challenges
Respondents to a recent survey from Gartner revealed that they believe power
and cooling to be the top data center challenges. Todays active equipment not
only consumes more operating power, but also must be kept cool. In fact, it has
been estimated that cooling accounts for up to 30 percent of a data centers
energy load.
However, the cooling process itself is typically accompanied by excessive energy
waste as computer room air conditioner (CRAC) units attempt to compensate
for hot spots. Unfortunately, the result of this compensation means that an
enormous amount of energyand moneyis wasted.
Most data centers use a hot-aisle/cold-aisle configuration to help contain
hot air generated by the equipment. However, to take full advantage of this
configuration, you need to find solutions that work with equipment enclosures to
help separate the hot air coming out of the back of the equipment from the cold
air entering the front. Such heat-containment solutions significantly reduce the
mixing of hot and cold air, which increases the differential between the inlet and
outlet temperatures of a CRAC unit for better efficiency and energy savings.
18
For example, there are heat-containment devices that mount atop enclosures
and automatically monitor heat loads, and regulate fan speeds accordingly to
pull the right amount of air from the enclosure for return to the CRAC unit via
plenum spaces. This type of system has been shown to deliver up to 50 percent
energy savings when compared to hot-aisle/cold-aisle configurations. And they
This figure provided by Belden estimates the airflow-capacity savings that can be
achieved using its AEHC Airflow Management System.
enable 100 percent utilization of the existing cooling infrastructure by efficiently

managing airflow.
Reducing overall data center power consumption through better power
management is also highly recommended. Replacing older equipment with
todays energy-efficient servers will pay dividends over time. In addition, PDUs
having remote-monitoring capabilities can enable activation and deactivation of
individual outlets or groups of outlets to save costs, and allow managers to view
information about temperatures, humidity, airflow and smoke in the data center
environment.
Finally, in arranging a control rooms cabinets, racks and equipment, its
important to allow sufficient airflow to maintain optimal cooling. Careful
installation, as well as maintaining neat and orderly cable rows and keeping
cables away from the equipment, can be facilitated by implementing an effective,
well-designed cable-management system.
Saving space and reducing density
19
Obviously, the more square footage you have, the more materials required
and the higher the energy requirements, so conserving space in the data
center wherever practical is desirable. Areas such as the main and horizontal
distribution rooms/areas house power-consuming core switches, as well as
hundreds of interconnects and crossconnects for connecting to equipment and
Going hand-in-hand with airflow-capacity savings, Belden says, are annual coolingcost savings when using its airflow management system. Of course actual savings
will vary depending on the data centers specific characteristics.
storage area networks. Todays marketplace offers an array of products and

solutions designed to provide high performance and reliability while conserving
space. There are several approaches that can be adopted in various parts of the
data center.
To house equipment, efficient high-density racking systems make maximum use
of available space while meeting density requirements. Some racks and cabinets
feature a modular design with interchangeable components that gives users
flexibility to custom-configure the equipment storage spaces to fit their specific
needs and preferences.
In the main entry and telecommunications rooms, wall-mounted, high-density
optical fiber and copper patching products take up less space, and can provide
convenient maintenance through the use of clear, readable labels and swing-out
access doors. For example, ultra high-density patch panels can accommodate 48
ports in just 1U of rack space, which is twice the density of traditional panels.
Angled patch panels provide left or right patch-cord routing, eliminating the need
for horizontal cable managers and providing up to 27 percent space savings in the
rack.
20
Another solution designed for use in data center pathways is preterminated

optical-fiber and copper cabling and connection systems. These conveniently
bundled, factory-terminated
cable assemblies provide
a smaller diameter for
pathway-space conservation,
and are also faster and easier
to install and maintain, thus
saving on labor expense.
Furthermore, preterminated
solutions allow for use of
short links, which for some
data centers can result in
a material reduction of up
to 40 percent in the overall
cabling topology. And
preterminated cabling is a
cost-saver over the long term
in that cables can be reused
and quickly repurposed to
accommodate moves, adds
and changes required in the
future.
Sustainable
infrastructure design
More green than meets the eye

Our cover story in May 2011 provided
information on the Environmental Protection
Agencys relatively new Energy Star for Data
Center Facilities program (see Few data
centers earn Energy Star label). As the
storys title indicates, only a handful of data
center facilities are listed as having earned
the Energy Star label.
In researching the facilities that have
earned it, we found statements from Citi
indicating that one of the banks facilities in
the Midwest United States had earned the
label. Yet the list of labeled facilities available
on the EPAs Web site does not include Citi.
Why, we wondered? A spokesperson for
Citi explained to us that the list on the EPAs
site includes each facilitys physical address.
For reasons of security, Citi has chosen not to
be included on that list.
Additionally, since that article went to
press, more data centers have earned the
Energy Star label and are listed by the EPA,
including an AFLAC facility in Columbus, GA
and a Corp 7 facility in Johnston, IA. -Ed.
The network infrastructure

is the core asset that
connects enterprise users to
the applications they need to
communicate, perform their
work and conduct transactions. In designing and installing the infrastructure,
signal-transmission performance and reliability are extremely criticaland so is
long-term sustainability.
21
High-performing cabling and connectivity components are essential for data

center managers to effectively take advantage of IT efficiency practices and
newer technologies such as server consolidation and virtualization that require
more bandwidth. Going green and becoming more sustainable goes far beyond
selecting and using environmentally friendly materials and components. Its
about working smarter and more efficiently across all enterprise systems and
operations, which brings us to the concept of Internet Protocol (IP) convergence.
In recent years, Ethernet and IP have advanced to where the technology can now
be used to transmit voice, video, security, and industrial control and buildingmanagement information as data signals across the enterprise, using a shared,
common network protocol.
In some enterprises, Ethernet IP convergence is being adopted to replace a
number of legacy proprietary systems. The beauty of the converged-systems
approach is that it allows multiple systems to run as an open network, using
the same infrastructure and cabling media, with security and authentication
measures built in to protect and secure confidential data. IP convergence is a
trend that likely will grow over time because it serves to increase efficiency,
reduce costs and waste, and maximize resource utilization. And, in the end, isnt
that what sustainability is all about?
Denis Blouin is program manager for data centers with Belden. He is a

mechanical engineer with more than 20 years experience in networking-system
process, design and applications.
22
Prospects for all-optical cabling

in data centers and enterprises
An examination of advantages, disadvantages
and applications associated with the possibility
of bringing fiber all the way to the user.
by Andrey B. Semenov, IT-SCS for IT Co. and Igor G. Smirnov,
Signamax Inc.
t is no secret that operating efficiency of a contemporary organization in
any branch enhances significantly if it has an information technology (IT)

system. Such technical objects are implemented according to the known
open system model, while their physical level may be built under different
principles. To this end, with due regard of the entire set of features crucial
for practical application, in an overwhelming majority of cases cable-based
communication channels are used. At this stage of technological development
their linear part formation is assisted by the so-called structured cabling system
facilities.
23
Structured cabling is a complex technical object, created at the building stage

with significant financial, material and human resources. The natural aspiration
of cost minimization leads to an immediate necessity to consider a great number
of various factors at the same time, as early as the basic designing stage. This

peculiarity
Transmission
Media
Type
brings about a
Use
Balanced
All-silica
Plastic-clad silica
Plastic
Coaxial
number of tasks. environment
twisted-pair
optical fiber
optical fiber
optical fiber
Office
One of them
actually having a Data center

Industrial
problem status,
Building automation
among other
Healthcare
things, due to
Residential
Prospects for all-optical cabling in data centers and enterprises
a large number of possible solutionsis transmission media type selection in a

horizontal subsystem. Transition of a seemingly engineering task in a brand new
status is conditional upon the fact that building a structured cabling horizontal
subsystem requires an overwhelming share (about 85 percent) of all resources
required for the entire IT cabling implementation. Besides, horizontal subsystem
cable represents the key cabling system component in terms of required financial
expenditures, which is the most resource-intensive at the installation stage.
One of the causes for the problem is that currently structured cabling
technologies are widely used in various fields, drastically different from each
other, owing to their high consumer qualities. Thus, there are several types of
structured cabling, which can be initially adapted to the field of application to
consider all peculiarities thereof. The cable types permitted for use in various
types of structured cabling are given in the table on page 23. However, the
regulatory documents merely fix permitted cable types, irrespective of their
application. Except for the maximum allowed channel length, perhaps, there are
no unambiguous recommendations in the common official publications, even
for preferred fields of their application, which are so desirable for designers and
engineers.
Cable-type selection task
For obvious reasons, a system that has only one cable type is the easiest and most
convenient to design, implement and operate, because in this case there is no
way for the cable-type selection task to arise. However, to get this advantage, one
must resolve an equally important task of a substantiated definition of this single
type among a rather vast majority of its possible competitors.
24
It goes without saying that, providing variable conditions of actual projects one
can observe in practice, there is no perfect cable type for every occasion. The
evidence of this simple statement emanates from the fact that there are several
competing standard types of products in the market. In this regard the cabletype selection problem is getting noticeably complicated and actually comes
down to answers to the two largely complementary questions: 1) Does a certain
structure have any advantages under the given specific conditions? and 2) Do its
disadvantages under the given conditions have any significance?
Additionally, selection results are largely influenced by the boundary condition,

which is rather far from engineering, but nonetheless important. That condition
can be summarized as: What is the importance of the field in which this specific
solution is the best under the general criterion of technical and economic
efficiency, for end-user transfer and distribution services? In other words, should
we differentiate it as a separate independent direction, or is it better to use well
accessible insights from adjacent areas that are, in addition, of no difficulty for a
wide range of experts familiar with such insights owing to their occupation?
Examining optical fiber
Optical fiber is the first candidate for the perfect product for an IT cabling
development. It is hardly viable to repeat in this article the impressive
transmission-distance and transmission-rate figures for optical fiber that are
well known. Using standard optical hardware components, circuits can be
implemented directly to the subscriber in access networks, and directly to the
user in office environments.
When considering optical cabling as a transmission medium, it has many
advantages. However, for the purpose of selecting the preferred type of cabling
components, optical fiber does also have some noticeable disadvantages that
often result directly from its advantages.
It should be pointed out that optical-fiber equipment is inhomogeneous.
Multimode solutions are preferable for short distances, including structured
cabling backbone subsystems and horizontal subsystems. They can support
the same transmission speeds as their singlemode counterparts, but provide
cost advantages when short link lengths are implemented. It is viable to use
singlemode equipment on extended interbuilding backbone links, owing to lower
dispersion distortions. Singlemode and multimode cables must be considered
separately, owing to the fact that during the composite channels development,
they may not be connected directly without intermediate active equipment, such
as a media converter or more-sophisticated piece of equipment.
25
Specific computations show that the viability border for transition from
multimode to singlemode technology lies within the range of approximately 600
meters (2,000 feet) to 1,200 meters (4,000 feet); while with the transmission rate
increases, the critical length shows a reducing trend. The latter results from both
the higher values of higher-data-rate electronics and noticeably growing adoption
of Om3 and Om4 multimode optical fibers.
Data centers impact
Other factors may have a significant impact on component-type selection,
and it is worth taking account of these factors. As an example, data center
environments have grown rapidly in recent years, and top the list of factors
that determine technology directions and may significantly impact component
selection.
The following objective factors have a significant impact on the application scope
of optical technologies in data centers.
A) A data center as a technical object does not provide services to end users, i.e.
it lacks well-known man-machine system restrictions, primarily conditioning the
ultimate data transmission lines.
B) Provision of operational support for the enterprise telephone network is not
the top-priority objective in a data center, and thus, there is little or no demand
for PoE technology. In this case the task of supply voltage delivery to the active
networking equipment is resolved by completely different means.
C) Optical-fiber cables have much better weight-dimensional parameters when
compared to balanced twisted-pair cables, facilitating the creation of a cooling
system of active networking equipment.
D) When operated on long links, optical-fiber interfaces provide for much lower
power consumption, i.e. building of green or energy-efficient data centers
becomes easier.
26
Advantages
Disadvantages
Excellent mass-dimensions parameters
Relatively low mechanical robustness and contamination tolerance
Transmitter-receiver galvanic isolation
Lack of remote power supply for telephone sets
Highest information-transmission effectiveness
Significant decrease in transmission performance advantages in short links
Excellent electromagnetic interference

immunity and electromagnetic compatibility
Susceptibility to penetrating radiation causing increased insertion

loss due to fiber material degradation (point defects)
Further analysis, however, causes us also to take into consideration the several
additional factors. First, based on statistical data it should be concluded that
owing to the focal application of a data center and its purpose, an expected
market size of this type of structured cabling shall not exceed one-third of the
office structured cabling market.
Second, in an earlier-published article (see Considerations to make before
investing in Category 6A cabling) we provided statistical data on some completed
projects, showing that the average horizontal subsystem link length in a data
center does not exceed 30 meters (100 feet), which is explained by the small
size of this object owing to the natural intention to save an expensive area with
complex engineering stuffing (uninterruptible power supply systems, precision
air-conditioning/cooling systems, and others). The network interface based on
balanced twisted-pair cable functions in a short-reach mode at such distances.
It means that the length of most links is such that the optical technologies have
no significant power-consumption advantages.
Third, 40-Gbit/sec transmission data rate is highly demanded in the data
center, with the focal application area of server-to-server links. Currently such
transmission data rates may be confidently implemented on modern twisted-pair
equipment, which still is less expensive than the optical equipment. Actually,
until recently the lack of official standards was the basic restraining factor for its
practical application.
Thus, despite a larger possible application niche for optical solutions in a data
center, the classical office structured cabling shall remain unsurpassed either
now or in the foreseeable future in terms of the application scope.
Access networks
Access networks must be considered within the scope of this discussion, because
they seemingly link up with the enterprise IT system owing to the current
predominance of Ethernet technology.
27
Access networks may be built on various principles. For example, it may be

implemented in the existing infrastructure. In terms of the scope and depth
of coverage of existing housing stock, balanced twisted-pair cables and xDSL
technology are beyond competition. Solutions based on overlaying of hybrid

optical-fiber/coaxial CATV networks with such networks have certain prospects.
The newly built access networks are mostly based on optical-fiber equipment. The
average link length in this part of a communication network may be assessed at
a first approximation as 1 km (0.6 miles) size of order. In this situation advantages
of singlemode technologies are fully expressed (in the form of Passive Optical
Network or common Ethernet). In both cases a link is implemented through
a single-fiber pattern. It provides for enhancement of the projects economic
features as a whole. At any rate, this very feature makes it difficult to link up an
access network with an enterprise IT system, which traditionally uses classical
dual-fiber links.
The number of access network users may be much higher than the number of IT
system users, if only on the grounds that individual access to the services of the
latter is required preeminently for the corporate or government executives. The
workers to officers ratio among the economically active population (including
industrial and non-productive sectors) may be taken as 4:1. To assess the number
of links in completed access networks at a first approximation, one may take
as a premise that they approximately correspond to the number of households.
Therefore, even disregarding the fact that in the context of overall engagement
one household has two possible users of the IT system resources, we shall get
that the number of access network links may be manifold higher than the
number of structured cabling links, yet this difference can hardly reach the
degree of order.
To assess the impact of an access-network technology on structured cabling, one
should bear in mind that the basic volume of traffic generated and received by
the IT system users is kept within this system. These are internal phone calls,
local server addresses, e-document flow and some other services. Consequently,
as a result of efforts for structural optimization, it is viable to connect the whole
IT system to an access network instead of an individual user, similar to use of
PBX in telephony subsystems.
28
The aforesaid assumptions lead us to the conclusion that peculiarities of access

networking, irrespective of the scope of their coverage, do not and cannot have
any material impact on engineering solutions used in the general-purpose

structured cabling.
From all this information, we reach four general conclusions about the prospects
for all-optical structured cabling systems, which are described below.
1) In any foreseeable future, all-optical networks shall neither prevail nor have
material impact in office structured cabling. They will be used only in case of
special requirements for resistance to external electromagnetic interference
and protection against an unauthorized access to confidential information, i.e.
those niche situations in which optical-fiber communication technology has no
competitors whatsoever.
2) The scope of application of optical-fiber communication instrumentalities
in the structured cabling projects shall grow. The data centers are objectively
the driving force of this trend, where the parameter value may be even higher
than 50 percent. The said growth will be evolutionary, and the data center shall
not exceed percentage units by its annualized tempos even in the unsaturated
market conditions.
3) Providing that the data center cabling market is relatively small compared to
the similar office systems, the relative share of optical-fiber solutions in structured
cabling technologies can hardly exceed 30 to 40 percent even at the extreme.
4) The impact of access networks on the scope of application of optical-fiber
solutions in development of office structured cabling, which are the most
important for the telecommunications industry, may be considered negligible.
Dr. Andrey B. Semenov is director of business development of IT-SCS (IT

Structured Cabling System) for IT Co. He also heads the structured cabling
systems faculty at the Moscow Technical University of Communications and
Informatics. Igor G. Smirnov is product manager for Signamax Inc.
29
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Editorial Guide

TIA approves 942-A data

he Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Engineering

Committee TR-42 Telecommunications Cabling Systems has approved

TIA approves 942-A data center standard

:: Move bonding and grounding content to TIA-568-B

TIA approves 942-A data center standard

grommets on floor tiles)

Comments from TIA

TIA approves 942-A data center standard

discussion included some of the standards implications for designers, installers

TIA approves 942-A data center standard

Patrick McLaughlin is chief editor of Cabling Installation & Maintenance.

Youre here to get in, out and done,

hile it may be so that good things come to those who wait,

too much waiting can lead to uncertainty. Take 10GBase-T

10GBase-T equipment availability and the future of copper media

10GBASE-S, 10GBASE-L, and

The Linley Group forecasts that 10GBase-T port

Source: The Linley Group

10GBase-T equipment availability and the future of copper media

Interoperability with legacy Ethernet equipment via auto-negotiation is of

10GBase-T port power dissipation

Another major catalyst to 10GBase-T

Cabling Installation & Maintenance :: EDITORIAL GUIDE

10GBase-T equipment availability and the future of copper media

10GBase-T PHY power consumption is well managed. 10GBase-T device power

10GBase-T equipment availability and the future of copper media

10GBase-T short reach mode is another power-dissipation improvement

10GBase-T equipment availability and the future of copper media

Per-port cost comparison, 10-Gbit/sec Ethernet and media types

QSFP + active module w/MTP jumper (15m)

Category 7A S/FTP (30m, 2-connector)

This per-port cost

The most cost-effective 10-Gbit/sec Ethernet application. While reach, power

10GBase-T equipment availability and the future of copper media

ISO/IEC recently initiated a project to develop a new standard tentatively titled

10GBase-T equipment availability and the future of copper media

as Addendum 1 to ANSI/TIA-568-C.2. These massive project initiatives reaffirm

Ron Cates is vice president of marketing, network products, at PLX Technology,

Conquer every aspect of your job.

Smarter, greener infrastructure

ith energy costs rising, building owners and managers are

searching for ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs

Multiple approaches are

Beldens AEHC Airflow Management System mounts atop

Cabling Installation & Maintenance :: EDITORIAL GUIDE

Smarter, greener infrastructure designs for data centers

Smarter, greener infrastructure designs for data centers

enable 100 percent utilization of the existing cooling infrastructure by efficiently

Smarter, greener infrastructure designs for data centers

storage area networks. Todays marketplace offers an array of products and

Another solution designed for use in data center pathways is preterminated

Smarter, greener infrastructure designs for data centers

More green than meets the eye

The network infrastructure

High-performing cabling and connectivity components are essential for data

Smarter, greener infrastructure designs for data centers

Denis Blouin is program manager for data centers with Belden. He is a

Prospects for all-optical cabling

t is no secret that operating efficiency of a contemporary organization in

any branch enhances significantly if it has an information technology (IT)

Structured cabling is a complex technical object, created at the building stage

:: Move bonding and grounding content to TIA-568-B