Five Ways to Future-Proof your Fibre Optic Infrastructure

Increasing traffic within data centres requires the fibre optic link bandwidth capacity to keep expanding as data throughput grows. Data centre traffic no longer flows primarily between servers and external end users.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) application-to-application is a key driver in the expansion of data traffic. With the use of virtualised LANs and servers, more and more data traffic flow between hardware servers within the data centre and the applications it serves have a growing need for low latency. This densification drives up bandwidth demands of intra-data centre links. But how do you avoid repeat rip-and-replace upgrades?

It is essential for data centres and their customers to understand and choose the right fit for their cable reach requirements. While costlier single-mode transceivers provide greater distance capability, only 10 percent of all enterprise data centre channels need over 100-metre reach. Multi-mode fibre will support most data centre cable distance requirements. Plus, using BiDi and Signature Core fibre will extend the reach capabilities of your serial duplex multi-mode fibre cable plant while leveraging cost-effective LC connector systems.

An illustration of this expansion is the growth in fibre optic connector market, as stated in ResearchandMarkets 2021 report, that global market for fibre optic connectors should grow from $4.0 billion in 2020 to $6.2 billion by 2025.

So, what are the five key approaches that will positively impact a data centre’s capability to future-proof its fibre optic infrastructure:

1. Enable serial cable plant for greater cost effectiveness
   Together, Cisco and Panduit enable operators to move beyond 10G speeds without requiring a switch to parallel cabling. Cisco BiDi transceivers help avoid capital expenditure by reusing existing LC-based fibre cable plant when upgrading from 10G. LC-based fibre cable plant is also substantially lower cost than MPO-based cable plant in new deployments.
2. Prevent cable replacement as bandwidth increases
   Panduit Signature Core cabling is optimized for performance with Cisco BiDi transceivers to help connectivity go farther. Typically, increasing bandwidth lowers the traversable distance of cabling. Cisco BiDi transceivers combined with Panduit Signature Core support greater distances and can keep using existing cable plant as needs increase.
3. Get more connections across your cable plant
   By using Cisco BiDi transceivers and Panduit Signature Core, operators can support more fibre interfaces per link and protect fibre cable plant reach as upgrade data rates occur. Whilst LC-based fibre connections are easier to manage than MPO-based options, reducing operational costs.
4. Minimize total cost of ownership and extend infrastructure life
   The use of Cisco BiDi transceivers and Panduit Signature Core cabling minimizes the capital cost of new installations and extends the life of existing infrastructure. There are solutions that help you minimize routine maintenance costs while ensuring operational flexibility.
5. Leverage dual-rate functionality for an easier and more flexible upgrade path
   Dual-rate Cisco BiDi transceivers provide operational flexibility by supporting both 40G and 100G rates in a single module. Using them, enables the operator to upgrade Ethernet switches from 40G to 100G one end at a time. Replacing both ends simultaneously may not be favourable when considering budgets, operational schedules, and the network downtime caused by such an approach. Cisco, offers the dual-rate BiDi that enables this incremental upgrade path.

Conclusion
Create a scalable, future-proof network backbone that can scale from 10 up to 400Gbps and avoid repeat rip-and replace installations as bandwidth needs increase. Ensure return on investment (ROI) and cost effectiveness as intra-DC bandwidth needs continue to increase.