The challenge
The pace at which emerging technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual/augmented reality and advanced data analytics are being adopted is causing unprecedented pressure within mission-critical spaces to accommodate the need for more compute power while handling increased external and internal traffic. This accommodation means that server racks are filling up faster than ever. As many critical infrastructure operators can attest, however, there is only so much floor space to populate with active components to scale up for these high-demand applications.
Current industry statistics demonstrate that demand will only increase over time. International Data Corporation (IDC) finds that “41.6 billion connected devices will generate 79.4 zettabytes of data by 2025.” AI, machine learning (ML) and hyper-convergence will further push the envelope for speeds of 800GB and beyond. Keeping in mind the insatiable appetite for these emerging technologies among today’s leading-edge organizations, it’s becoming difficult for mission-critical facility managers to deliver on their end-users’ requirements for speed and bandwidth given the limitations of their existing fiber cable infrastructure.
Moreover, as data volumes increase globally, infrastructure managers will also need the ability to accommodate both High Density (HD) and Ultra High Density (UHD+) deployments within existing floor spaces despite limited headroom inside the server racks.
Compounding these dynamics is that many of these same data center managers find their existing fiber installation has reached its predefined theoretical limit, to say nothing of exhausting their optical power budget. This leaves them with multiple fiber connectivity challenges when attempting to upgrade using conventional cassette-based connectivity. These include, but are not limited to, issues with selecting the correct interface and cable type, reversed polarity headaches and mismatched connectors.
In fact, for many critical infrastructure operators trying to meet these growing demands, traditional cassette-based fiber cable connectivity solutions have become not only a significant constraint, but an obstacle to enhancing and augmenting their mission-critical IT infrastructure.
The solution
Fortunately, there is a better way – one that takes the current inefficient and, frankly, messy way of connecting or mating cables and reimagines that connection to be simpler, smaller, more intuitive, better performing and easier to use. In fact, this alternative solution has the capability to impact every mission-critical space from hyperscale data centers to the edge.
An Alignment Independent Multifiber (AIM) cabling solution erases the current frustration of fiber cabling connectivity by eliminating the cassette and with it, extra installation and configuration processes. Essentially, it replaces pre-terminated cassette-based solutions with direct connections, overcoming common cable performance issues, eliminating costly components and reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) of mission-critical facilities like data centers. Using an AIM cabling solution can maximize optical headroom and improve density by enabling connectors to mate directly to an array of 2-fiber duplex MDC patch cords through a conversion adapter panel.
An AIM fiber interconnect system is also a natural fit for your team of engineers and speeds up typical cable installation processes significantly. With this new technology, cable installations go 40% faster and take 60% less time to undo, making it easy to evolve your configurations as required. The single connection point of the AIM system’s direct-mating breakout design means that post connection testing time is cut in half with no concerns about genders or pins. As well, this solution’s application-defined polarity means that polarity swaps now take less than six seconds.
Eliminating the cassette means near-lossless performance, more room for your team to work and money saved on costly components. When it comes to innovation, everything starts with inspired simplicity: a simple design that’s simple to stock, install and use, yielding better performance than other solutions on the market.
Benefits and outcomes
There are many reasons why today’s critical infrastructure operators should consider an AIM fiber cabling connectivity system for their mission-critical spaces. These include:
Eliminating the cassette. Using an AIM cabling solution can result in extremely low levels of optical loss compared to cassette-based fiber cabling connectivity products on the market today because it minimizes and, in some cases, eliminates the need for splicing. It maximizes optical headroom and assists operations teams in overcoming performance barriers, minimizing cost and facilitating higher density deployments – all while simplifying design and delivery.
Designing smarter. The simplicity of the AIM fiber interconnect design combined with its application-defined on-site polarity adjustment and near-lossless performance enables it to provide a multi-generational lifecycle with a single installation of a sustainable building asset.
Reducing costs. This pioneering solution reduces costs by facilitating 40% quicker patch cable installation and 60% faster removal, improving the speed of moves, adds, and changes. Due to the single connection point of the system’s direct-mating breakout, post connection testing time is cut in half. There are no concerns about genders or pins, and polarity swaps take less than six seconds. All these benefits make the AIM solution a valuable building asset, saving facility managers CAPEX and OPEX throughout its life of service.
Simplifying connectivity. Say goodbye to gender considerations (e.g., no pins, just direct connections) and make life simple. The application-defined polarity of an AIM system means polarity can be adapted to nearly any link configuration pre-planned, on-site, or on the fly with no options to determine when ordering or designing. The result is improved accessibility and an overall smaller footprint that leaves more room within each server rack.
Supporting ultra-high density plus (UHD+). Adopting AIM technology within your mission-critical space can help your operations team make the most of each rack unit (RU) with UHD+, offering up to 192 fibers per RU (33% more than High Density).
Approaching infinite scalability. With its simplified design, unparalleled performance and architectural flexibility, this new product has an almost limitless migration path.
Going live faster. The solution is easy to stock, and short lead times for conversion adapters enable rapid or even emergency deployment.
Towards a cassette-free future
Today’s critical infrastructure operators need every advantage they can get to meet the speed and capacity demands of their end-users. An AIM fiber interconnect system provides that edge by replacing traditional, inefficient cassette-based solutions with direct fiber connections that deliver a near-lossless link without consideration of gender. Like any good innovation, this groundbreaking design is an industry game-changer. It is the key to maximizing optical performance and headroom as well as facilitating high density deployments as enterprise adoption of bandwidth and compute-intensive applications only increases. If saving money on costly components, seeing better fiber performance and providing more room for your team to scale up your infrastructure sounds attractive, then breaking out of the box with AIM is likely right for your mission-critical space.
