When it comes to cabling solutions in data centers, there has always been a great debate between fiber optics and cat6 copper cabling. No matter which side you come down to, the cabling trends in data centers are changing drastically. People have been writing for a long time now about the rivalry of data center cabling. The speed in these data hubs used to be 40Gbps to 100Gbps. But with every minute changing trends, it has surpassed the 400Gbps limit.
We cannot deny the importance of switches in modern data centers. The devices offer innovative solutions for delivering data without any hassle. The only thing people are working on these days is power consumption & how can they make these giant data centers more power efficient?
This article will talk about the importance of Ethernet cables in data centers. Furthermore, we’ll also discuss if fiber optics are the perfect solution for these hubs in the future. Let’s start.
If we look at any modern data center, we will an abundant use of fiber optics instead of copper cabling. But there are some areas where copper still exceeds. For example, if you are using an equipment distribution area, your first preference will be an Ethernet cable instead of a fiber optic. Similarly, these cables are a wise choice for cabinet use. Since these cables are highly reliable and inexpensive, you can use them to cover shorter distances. You can use them for any applications that require less than a 50Gbs data transfer rate.
On the other hand, newer data centers are opting for fiber optics. The demise of copper cables has begun. There are a couple of reasons for that. First, the useful distance is getting shorter and shorter with copper cables. You cannot use them over a longer distance. Second, the complexity of a copper cable is far greater than a fiber optic cable.
Worry not, the copper cabling still manages to hang for a little while longer. One of the biggest downsides of this cabling solution is the typical approach. These cables do not offer enough speed for a modern data center. The biggest downsides of any copper cable are the distance limitation and tech advancement.
This is yet another reason why people prefer fiber optics instead of copper cables. As you increase the speed, the data handling becomes much more complex for a copper cable. You need to use fiber optics for this purpose. If you are thinking about sending the data to a shorter distance then copper cables are the best solution for you.
Crosstalk is a phenomenon that occurs when signals from two passing by cables interact with each other. This can compromise the integrity of your signals. To avoid this, you need to make sure that there are not any electrical wires near your Ethernet cables. Furthermore, the use of fiber optics completely eradicates this issue.
This is one of the biggest issues that you can face in any data center. If you are using copper cables, you will require an exceptional amount of power to send your signals to a shorter distance. In addition, if your speed increases to 10G, there is a high chance that your cable becomes dead as the copper cables have a design flaw.
If you are using a copper cable, it will require power from both ends to deliver your data. As the network speed approaches 10G, you will require to provide your connection with at least 3 to 5 watts to make it work. Similarly, if you are using a fiber optic, the amount of energy required will be reduced to ten times less than a copper wire connection.
Even though copper cabling has its downside, many people still believe in the use of these cables inside data centers. They have their reasons to do so. But if you are looking for alternatives, here is a list of some suitable candidates for you.
You may be familiar with a DAC or a directly attached copper cabling solution. You can use it to link up your servers to each other. In addition, you can use this cable for both active and passive usage. This is a special form of twisted pair cabling solution. DAC has a special twisted-pair cable with a switch at both ends of the cable.
You can use passive direct attached cables to manage your signals that are coming in hot. On the other hand, the active DAC can be used to connect and manage various sorts of electrical signals. This phenomenon is used to send the signal to a longer distance. The only downside of this is the power consumption.
Even though the DAC may seem like an inexpensive solution but that is not the case in reality. There are many limitations it has to face due to its attenuation and distance issues. These factors are the biggest hinder to the future of this technology. If you are thinking about switching to this tech, you may need to replace the old switches with the newer TOR switches. This upgradation can increase the cost of your project.
If you think that DAC is not a viable option, you can always choose the AOC or active optical cable. This type of cabling solution comes with fiber optics. In addition, this solution can handle a 400Gbps data transfer rate without any hurdle. You can use this cabling solution for both active and passive connections. The only downside is the limitations that come with this system. If you are going to order the fiber optics, you need to order them in length because of the glass rod inside the cable. Secondly, if you ever update your switches, you will need to replace your entire network to make them work properly.
The flexibility is yet another issue you can face with any fixed cabling solution for your data hub. That is the reason these solutions exist outside the data center world. But if you are using them inside a data center, make sure to not update any system or switch for them to stick around a little longer.
Pluggable options are the best solution for you at the moment. You can use it to switch technologies in your data center. In old days, you could use a small fiber switch to connect four servers at the same time. This was a cost-effective solution at that time.
The newer switches have the tendencies to hold eight servers in connection at the same time. This ability can save you both time and valuable money in the upgradation of your system.
On the other hand, if you look at the co-packaged optics, you will realize that you can use this for electrical to optical conversion. The idea behind this technology is to eliminate the electrical losses in copper wires to make a connection safe and secure.
These modern technologies will help you get the most out of your data center. In addition to data flow, you can also use them to mine cryptocurrencies.
