Survey of Data Center Managers Indicates Preference for Fully-Shielded Copper Cabling
An independent survey of 300 data center managers, performed at a recent Data Center Decisions event, indicated strong support for 10Gb/s or better copper cabling systems. When asked what cabling media they would specify for a new datacenter, 81 of respondents selected 10Gb/s capable copper products, versus 3.1, 6.3 and 9.4 for fiber optic, category 5e and category 6, respectively.Underlining a growing trend towards the adoption of shielded (S/FTP) copper systems in historically UTP markets, 50 of all respondents stated that they would specify category 7/class F shielded copper cabling, such as Siemon's TERA , compared to 31 choosing augmented category 6 UTP.The shift toward shielded solutions is based on a number of factors. Based on a separate question within the same survey, 93 of respondents expected their data centers to last over 10 years, with 46 of the total planning for 20 years. These extended data center lifecycles and attending total cost of ownership (TCO) figures drive the importance of future-proof cabling.Offering significant performance headroom and increased ability to support future applications beyond 10GBASE-T, Siemon's TERA product family is well suited to the current and future needs of the data center. The fully-shielded, Class F TERA solution is the highest-performing copper cabling system recognized by ISO/IEC. This leading performance translates into longer functional lifecycles and thereby, better TCO.Additionally, the inclusion of strict alien crosstalk performance parameters in pending 10GBASE-T standards presented difficulties for UTP cable. To overcome alien crosstalk, pending standards allow increased UTP cable diameters of up to 0.354 in (9mm). While this larger-diameter cable controls crosstalk, it is not without drawbacks such as decreased pathway cable counts. Solutions such as Siemon's TERA system, by virtue of shielded construction, exhibits excellent alien crosstalk performance and can reclaim pathway space with cable diameters of just 0.330 in (8.38 mm).Likewise, data center managers are weighing the available solutions in terms of installation. Traditionally easier and quicker to terminate, UTP solutions are a favorite in many markets. Growing familiarity with S/FTP installation practices as well as time-saving termination features, place them on par with category 6A UTP cabling in terms of installation ease. These developments, coupled with the increased noise immunity and decreased emissions contribute to their popularity. For videos detailing S/FTP termination practices, visit http://www.siemon.com/us/category7.While screened (F/UTP) and S/FTP copper cabling systems are gaining market share, augmented category 6 UTP solutions still represent a significant percentage of future datacenter projects. It is important that users are provided a choice of cabling systems, and understand the strengths of each.With fully compliant 10Gb/s capable copper cabling options in UTP, F/UTP and S/FTP configurations, Siemon 10G ip is a comprehensive suite of solutions that gives enterprises the freedom to choose the cabling infrastructure that best supports their specific needs. Beyond 10Gb/s throughput alone, factors such as infrastructure security, pathway space, cable management, initial cost, life cycle cost, noise immunity and global market preferences must be considered by every organization. The ability to support these needs will grow in importance over the coming months and years.For more information on Siemon's 10G ip product family, a comprehensive line of 10 Gigabit copper solutions including its 10G 6A UTP, 10G 6A F/UTP and TERA Category 7/Class F systems, visit http://www.siemon.com/us/10gip.
About the Author
Written by Brian Duval, Marketing Communication Manager, Siemon Company. Visit their website at: http://www.siemon.com
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