FutureFLEX Air-Blown Fiber Infrastructure Technology
Creating the Low Cost, Patient Safe, Bandwidth On-Demand Network for Today’s Hospital and Healthcare Facilities
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Fiber Networking Products
Fiber networking products allow network managers to adapt to the performance advancements needed.
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Advanced Cable Management
An advanced approach to cable management in the data center can reduce power and cooling costs, while also enhancing network performance.
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Fiber Optic Connectors - Choosing the Best Ferrule Material
Select the best connector for a structured cabling application.
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A New Alien Crosstalk Testing Solution for 10GBASE-T Cabling System
IEEE is expected to release the standard for the next generation 10Gbps copper cable Ethernet network, termed 10GBASE-T, in 2006. For the deployment of 10GBASE-T on balanced copper cabling system, one key issue is the testing and mitigation of the noise coupled between the adjacent link segments, i.e. alien crosstalk.
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10 Gb/s LAN Networking: Optical Fiber LAN Design Considerations
The exploding demand for Internet access to WEB based applications as well as integrated multimedia applications (voice/data/video) has fueled the need for higher bandwidth networks. Rapid advances in microelectronics and optical networking technologies are enabling the increased bandwidth capacity. The quite rapidly growing need for faster networks leads us from 10 Mb/s to 100 to 1000 Mb/s and now to the most anticipated 10000 Mb/s or 10 Gb/s.
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Impedance/Return Loss
In the first installment, an explanation of return loss (RL) and its importance to today's high speed networks was provided. Return loss continues to be a problem within today's new systems. Horizontal and patch cable stability, in addition to installation techniques, affect the overall RL performance and are primary concerns facing installers and customers. From the manufacturing floor, to the desktop, cable is subjected to a number of stresses before the installation process is complete. The cable is jerked, pulled around bends and terminated. The desktop can be hazardous as well with frequent moves, sharp bends and pinch points from equipment or chair casters. This installment will explain the concept behind Belden's bonded pairs and the benefits they provide in horizontal and patch cable return loss performance.
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Air Blown Fiber Systems - A Technical Discussion
ABF systems originated in 1982 at British Telecom. The intent of the design was to easily accommodate moves, adds and changes with minimal disruption. The ABF system was developed to allow switching between fiber types as they evolved.
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Considerations for Drop Cable Selection
The emergence of access networks, including fiber to the business, fiber to the home and fiber to the premises, referred to collectively as FTTx, demands new optimized products. One such product is optical drop cable. However, because they are generally small, lightweight and run much shorter distances than feeder and distribution cables, optical drop cables feature a wide range of diverse installation methods. It is becoming increasingly important to ensure that considerations above and beyond those previously identified within specifications such as Telcordia GR-20 and ICEA-717 are explored and met.
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Migration to 50/125 µm in the Local Area Network
Enterprise local area networks (LAN) should be designed to support legacy applications as well as emerging high-data-rate applications. Information technology (IT) managers typically include optical fiber as the primary media type in their structure wiring systems to support such requirements. Until recently, 62.5/125 µm multimode fiber has been the dominant fiber type deployed in the LAN. However, the emergence of high-datarate systems such as 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) now warrants a migration to 50/125 µm multimode fiber in the LAN.
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Interoperability of Category 6 Cabling Systems
Structured cabling existed long before the introduction of Category 6. The current entry-level of a structured cabling installation is Category 5 Enhanced (5e). It is considered the minimum for Gigabit Ethernet deployment since additional tests have been implemented that determine the installed system's ability to transmit on all four pairs in both directions, simultaneously. While the maximum operating frequency has not been increased beyond 100 MHz (the same as Category 5) the requirements at these frequencies have been modified. The limits for NEXT have been made tighter (less near end cross talk is permitted in a Category 5e system than was in a Category 5 system). Category 5e sets the scene for Category 6 and our discussion of Interoperability.
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Mechanical or Adhesive?
Choosing the Best Fiber Connector for Every Installation
Increased fiber usage in the LAN environment has led to many changes in fiber optic connectors including improvements in performance, density and field installation time. A variety of connectors are available, but choosing the right one can be difficult.
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Power over Ethernet - Is My Data Safe?
With the network already playing an integral part of enterprise business, new applications continue to steer new hardware onto the network infrastructure. The introduction of Power over Ethernet (PoE) is signifi cant in that these devices can be placed virtually anywhere with little regard to AC power wiring availability given that the more accessible structured cabling can be used for the required power. The question is: Can I be sure that I can implement Power over Ethernet over my NextLAN structured cabling system without compromising either safety or performance?
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Choosing the Right UPS for Small and Midsize Data Centers: A Cost and Reliability Comparison
This paper compares two UPS systems marketed for small and midsize data centers. These products represent remarkably different design philosophies. The impact of these differing philosophies on reliability and cost of ownership is addressed.
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Considerations in the Selection of Enterprise & Data Center Fiber Patching & Splicing Cabinet Systems
Ratification of the TIA/EIA-568 Commercial Building Cabling Standard in 1991 was a major stimulus for the replacement of incompatible, disparate, and often difficult to manage computer and telecommunication equipment cabling with an orderly and well organized "structured" cabling system (SCS). This important standard introduced both manageability and flexibility into enterprise cabling systems. For the first time, building architects, consultants, designers and operators had a "blueprint" to facilitate easy installation and reconfiguration of their premises cabling systems to accommodate typically short installation time frames. The systematic organization of the SCS also provided major advantages to simplify the inevitable moves, adds and changes of users and equipment that routinely occur in all enterprises and data centers. The initial release of the 568 standard was based almost entirely on the performance characteristics and limitations of UTP copper cabling systems; hence the 100 meter limit for the horizontal subsystem. A key element providing the flexibility inherent in the SCS was the copper patch panel.
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Comparing Shielded and Unshielded Structured Cabling Systems For 10GBASE-T Applications
The IEEE 802.3an-2006 standard for 10GBASE-T operation was ratified in June 2006. It defines an application standard for 10 Gb/s data transmission over copper twisted pair cabling of up to 100 meters reach, and allows use of both unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP) copper cabling systems. This white paper compares the benefits of installing UTP or STP cabling systems for 10GBASE-T applications so users can choose the appropriate cabling investment for maximum long-term network performance.
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The Impact of Copper Patch Cords on Network Performance and Reliability
As network infrastructures continue to have a higher impact on an organization's productivity and competitive position, it becomes increasingly important to select a reliable end-to-end structured cabling system that will allow for future network growth. To maximize usable network bandwidth, it is critical that patch cords properly support the performance, quality, and dependability of the entire structured cabling system. The performance of the link between the switch and computer is most impacted by noise generated in the area of the channel closest to the active equipment. This is where the patch cords are located and where quality should never be compromised by using off-brand patch cords.
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Overview of Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T)
Ethernet was developed by the Xerox Corporation in the early 1970's and has emerged as the dominant networking protocol. When compared to the installed base of other networking protocols, such as Token Ring, FDDI, and ATM, Ethernet has, by far, the greatest number of installed ports. Ethernet also provides greater cost performance than any other protocol due to its wide availability and market penetration. When Fast Ethernet was developed, increasing Ethernet speed from 10 to 100 megabits per second (Mbps), it provided a reasonably simple, cost effective option for network managers to deploy bandwidth-intensive applications over their local area networks while maintaining their existing infrastructure.
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Applications Driving the Adoption of Power over Ethernet (PoE)
PoE offers two benefits that are consistent across applications: cost savings and flexibility of device placement. Because PoE runs data and power together over the same cable to each device attached to the local area network (LAN), devices can be installed without the concern for proximity to individual AC outlets. This saves money by eliminating the cost and time associated with AC outlet installations, while providing the flexibility to locate PoE devices where performance is optimum.
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Planning, Implementing and Application of Cabinet Power Distribution Units
Over the past decade, our reliance on networks and data centers to provide us with information, to run our businesses, to access and to store data, and facilitate global commerce has grown considerably. As businesses and organizations plan for the next decade and build out their data centers, power consumption and distribution to the devices in the cabinet must be taken into consideration early on in the planning stages. Increased densities, proper installation, power and cord choices all affect the efficiency and reliability of the devices in the cabinet.
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3-Phase Power in the Data Center
High density computing with increased server implementation, greater equipment densities, increased power demands, cost reduction initiatives, green directives and redundancy are driving the demand for 3-Phase power in the data center equipment cabinet. Several years ago just talking about 3-Phase power distribution at the equipment cabinet would have brought laughs and looks of amazement from your fellow data center employees. Today, there are several simple facts within the data center environment that have created demand for 3-Phase power in the equipment cabinet.
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SYSTIMAX® GigaSPEED® X10D Solution
Enterprise networks have evolved rapidly to support the growing demand for bandwidth-hungry applications. End users are taking advantage of these applications to exchange more information in novel ways. Enterprise organizations generally find ways of consuming as much bandwidth as offered up to them very quickly. As the demand for bandwidth continues to increase, the next step in the evolution of networking has appeared - 10 Gigabit Ethernet. This paper explores the latest developments in 10 Gigabit Ethernet over copper cabling in some detail and introduces an optimized UTP cabling solution to serve the enterprise network market needs well into the future. This new UTP cabling solution with evolutionary design and revolutionary performance is the SYSTIMAX® GigaSPEED® X10D Solution.
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SYSTIMAX® GigaSPEED® X10D Solution
Network planning. It never has been an easy process. In fact it can often lead to many a sleepless night for network managers. But it seems that lately, this task has become even more daunting. Visions of spiraling demand for network bandwidth have stimulated the development of LAN technologies promising to deliver anywhere from 10 Mb/s up to 10 Gb/s+ data rates. What it means for network managers is a wide array of choices that requires decisions about which technology, architecture, or physical infrastructure is best suited for their needs. As with most new technologies or innovations, the networking industry has jumped on the latest: 10 Gigabit Ethernet over copper cabling. This paper looks at the drivers for 10 Gb/s, developments in this area, and the implications for cabling infrastructures.
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Category 6 Cabling:
The following white paper was produced by participants of the Category 6 Consortium. This consortium - focused on category 6 cabling systems - has assisted in development of generic standards primarily for balanced twisted-pair cabling systems. These standards cover balanced twisted- pair cable and associated connecting hardware specifications, including test procedures, performance requirements and test instrument requirements. In development of these standards, theoretical models and controlled experimentation were used to validate link and channel specifications via component requirements.
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WatchDog White Paper
When a company relies on hardware and software availability for mission critical applications, it is important that nothing be left to chance. When these applications are not available, it can cost a company actual dollars, customer perception, and market share. There are many different scenarios that can affect how you do business.
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