The Data Center Question - Copper Fiber Or Nothing at All

The Choice for data center media will always be a contentious topic, especially in networking a purpose-built facility like data centers. Building a data center architecture using both fiber and copper or selective use of both depends on a variety of criteria which includes.

• Performance and Bandwidth of computing equipment required
• It’s resistance to Radio Frequency Interference and Electromagnetic Interference
• Speed and flexibility of reconfiguration
• Device media interface considerations
• Need for density and space-saving connectivity
• Future vision and Tolerance for re-cabling
• Cost of Electronics

The Road to Choose Media

Here we will discuss a few technical factors to choose a data center media type.

• Media capability to transmit signals and, conversely, to be exempted from other signals.
• Is delivery of power over the cable is needed?
• Considering portability and mobility issues?

These factors must be used on the decision-making criteria from a technical perspective.

As Data Centers grow, so do cabling systems

Data centers expanding will put significant strain on the underlying data center infrastructure irrespective of the size of the hosting facilities. It’s true for internal networks and underlying cabling systems especially that face a lack of bandwidth and capacity for future expansion.

Copper Vs. Fiber

Unshielded (UTP) and shielded (STP) twisted pair copper cabling have rapid growth and acceptance as cabling media of choice for these three strong reasons:

1. Low Initial Cost of installation
2. Higher Data Rate LAN services
3. The Flexibility of using one medium for all services.
4. Growth in 10 Gigabit Copper Solutions

This has been widely deployed in data centers over the past 40 years.  Being cheaper, this also has low deployment costs as there is no need to buy additional hardware and it can be easily terminated by on-site engineers. On the other hand, Fiber needs additional transceivers and termination specialists. Copper cable can use the same standard RJ-45 interfaces which are compatible with old copper cabling specifications.

Fiber can provide multiple advantages over twisted-pair copper cables in a data center. Below mentioned are three main advantages:-

1. Greater bandwidth up to 100 Gbps and error-free transmission over longer distances.
2. Testing is Simpler
3. It’s Resistance to RFI/EMI

Space being considered as a high priority in infrastructure accuracy, high-density fiber optic systems is preferred for maximizing space usage. Less weight and small size of fiber results in better under-floor cooling and gives precious real estate back especially in metros. Fiber requires less space in trays, raised floors and equipment racks.

Multimode fiber optics support from 10Mbps till 100 Gbps Ethernet and 1/2/4/8/16 Gbps fiber channel.

Better Together

Only a few data centers are likely to rely fully on either copper or fiber cabling but maximum will inevitably continue to rely on a mix of both in different parts of the network infrastructure. The use of Fiber Media converters are very helpful, interconnecting different cabling formats and extending the reach of copper-based equipment over SMF/MMF links.

To know what’s the next step in making the right media choice? Read our next week’s blog at GBIC-SHOP