High Fiber Counts In Colocation Data Centers
Due to the global emergence of “cloud” providers, connectivity has become more of a pain point within data center architecture in recent years; not only for the cloud provider’s own infrastructure but also that of colocation data centers.
As recently as five years ago, data centers were installing multiple 864 fiber core counts in and around their facilities. Whether between data halls, linking IDFs, or between campuses, 288 was the cable of choice as it provided significant future proofing advantages to the site based on demand.
Fast-forward three years, cloud adoption starts to take place significantly and fiber connectivity has quadrupled. Where 288 connections previously lasted a year, they now last only months, and interest within colocation data centers to connect to these Hyperscale companies takes off.
Higher fiber core counts within data centers was now being increased from 432 to 1728/3456 or higher within facilities and, more importantly, between campus sites. Colocation companies were trying to mitigate the lack of infrastructure between sites by installing new, advanced connectivity cables such as the Fujikura SpiderWeb Ribbon® (SWR®). Higher capacity and smaller cable diameters assisted in the rollout of inter-campus connectivity, providing a better ROI for the data centers on installation and termination time, which in turn helped the Colocation providers’ customers in other sites connect directly to the cloud providers.
Maximize
- Port capacity
- Fiber count in new or existing ducts and pathways
- Network performance
- Cable management pathway routes
- Installation options
Minimize
- Solution deployment
- Cabling installation time
- Footprint in distribution areas
- Lead time (factory to site)
- Operational costs
Simplify
- Fiber management
- Network architecture
- Installations of high fiber counts
- Moves, Adds and Changes
Due to the rise in the number of customer connections required, connectivity within a Hyperscale build has also had to increase, where having 864 or 1152 connections were sufficient, we are now providing 3456 to 6912 fiber solutions. This demand for higher fiber counts is becoming more and more prevalent, as data center architectures strive to deliver what is needed to support the ever-increasingly connected world.
At AFL , we develop and deliver advanced, scalable network infrastructure solutions to facilitate the ultra-high fiber counts, bandwidth and connectivity required for colocation data centers today and in the future.
Our ground-breaking Ultra-High Fiber Count solution is the answer to your evolving data center network, providing interconnection between and within data center buildings on a scale never seen before.