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The ASCEND® platform is a modular, high-density, rack-mount solution designed for data centers, central offices, head-ends, and structured cabling networks. Whether supporting incremental growth or a full-scale deployment, our ASCEND solution delivers optimal fiber management in an easy-to-use, scalable platform.
Maximize
Available Space
More connections means more
space for customers
Generate Revenue
Faster
Quick and easy-to-install, you can bring customers online faster than ever, while also reducing costs on installation time and labor
Future-Proof
Your Network
Scalable solution ensures easy migration
to higher-speed technologies of
400G and beyond
Reduce Costs
Excellent value with
market-leading performance
Improve Network Performance
Setting a new standard for reliable,
high-performance networks
Grow at Your
Desired Rate
Quick turnaround across all products including custom configurations
ASCEND®
Housing Overview
ASCEND® fiber housings are available in 1RU, 2RU, and 4RU sizes with densities of up to 864, 1728, and 3456 fibers, respectively. Designed to support both incremental growth and a full-scale deployment, ASCEND housings provide the ultimate in ease-of-use and fiber management features.
ASCEND housings are 19/23” rack-mountable and constructed using galvannealed steel for an extended service life. The front and rear doors are both hinged on the bottom, while the rear section of the housing cover is removable for unobstructed access to all connector interfaces. Integrated routing rings at the front of the trays enable secure and organized routing of patch cords which facilitates efficient Moves, Adds, and Changes (MACs).
ASCEND housings are compatible with a wide variety of ASCEND optical cassettes which can be mixed and matched within the same enclosure to offer plug-and-play versatility in BASE-8, BASE-12, and BASE-24 configurations. Cassettes can be independently installed from the front or rear of the housing onto a sliding tray system.
The rear of the housing incorporates a trunk cable management area that features multiple cable mounting positions that are designed to securely manage slack while allowing the trays to slide in / out for installation and service.
ASCEND®
Housing Options
ASCEND®
Housing Features

Available in 1RU, 2RU, 4RU
ASCEND fiber housings are available in 1RU (144F), 2RU (288F), and 4RU (576F) sizes (LC)

Compatible with a wide range of ASCEND optical cassettes
ASCEND housings are compatible with a wide variety of ASCEND optical cassettes which can be mixed and matched within the same enclosure to offer plug-and-play versatility in BASE-8, BASE-12, and BASE-24 configurations

Constructed using galvannealed steel
Constructed using galvannealed steel for an extended service life

Reduced risk of mechanical failure
Front door hinged at the bottom with magnetic catch on front door

Integrated routing rings for organized patch cords
Integrated routing rings at the front of the trays enable secure and organized routing of patch cords which facilitates efficient Moves, Adds and Changes (MACs)

Removable rear housing cover
Rear section of the housing cover is removable for unobstructed access to all connector interfaces

Front and rear loading
Cassettes can be independently installed from the front or rear of the housing onto a sliding tray system

Trunk cable management
Trunk cable management area with multiple cable mounting positions, designed to securely manage slack while allowing the trays to slide in / out for installation and service
ASCEND®
Cassette Overview
ASCEND optical cassettes are the building blocks of the high-density platform and are available in a wide range of configurations for multiple applications in BASE-8, BASE-12, and BASE-24 configurations. Available in single-mode and multimode fiber types, ASCEND optical cassettes feature low-loss MPO connectors and VFL-compatible shuttered LC adapters. ASCEND cassettes are compatible with all ASCEND housings and can be independently installed from the front or rear of the housing onto a sliding tray system. This allows access to individual connections while minimizing disruption to other fiber connections.
ASCEND®
Cassette Features

Wide variety of cassettes
Wide variety of cassettes for multiple applications: Fanout, Patch, Splice, and WDM

BASE-8, BASE-12, and BASE-24 configurations
BASE-8, BASE-12, and BASE-24 (fanout only) configurations

Low-loss connectors
Low-loss LC and MPO connectors

VFL-compatible shuttered LC adapters
Shuttered Quad LC adapters prevent hazards and contamination


Front and rear installation
Install independently from front or rear of housing



Compatible with all ASCEND housings
4RU, 2RU, and 1RU

Highly efficient splicing
Splice cassettes utilize AFL’s SpiderWeb Ribbon® (SWR®) for highly efficient splicing
ASCEND®
Trunk Cable Assemblies Overview
ASCEND® trunk cable assemblies provide a high-performance, plug-and-play solution for premise installations where space is at a premium.
The small-diameter MicroCore® cable construction provides industry-leading fiber density and offers the installer many advantages over traditional cable options – higher tolerance to bends during and after installation; requires less space in cable trays, raceways, ducts and conduits; and enables more efficient airflow in congested, high-density cabling applications.
ASCEND trunk cable assemblies feature the MTP® PRO connector on multimode assemblies which allows for field-reversible polarity and gender with no housing removal, exposed fibers, or loose pins. All trunk cable assemblies have a
pre-defined breakout length which eliminates guesswork and guarantees a clean and well-organized installation.
ASCEND trunk cable assemblies also include an integrated cable mounting clip which mates directly with the trunk cable management area in the rear of all ASCEND housings. This clip eliminates the need for additional cable clamps and securely positions the incoming cable while alleviating unwanted stress during installation.