What Is A Loopback?
A loopback is commonplace amongst the equipment used when testing data center networks but what is it and how does it work?
How to Reduce Data Center Operational Costs with Efficient Fiber Management
Efficient fiber management has become a critical consideration with respect to data center architecture given the widespread adoption of fiber optic connectivity across hyperscale, co-location and telecommunication markets. Proper implementation of fiber management presents numerous benefits to data center operators with cost reduction being one of the more significant and sought-after.
What is a Meet-Me Room?
Put simply, a Meet-Me Room (MMR), otherwise known as ENI (External Network Interface) or MDA (Main Distribution Area), is a relatively small but very important space inside a data center where internet service providers, telecommunications carriers, cable companies, etc. converge to interconnect or cross-connect with one another and exchange data before distribution of services to other areas of the building.
What is the difference between Single Mode and Multimode Fiber
Single Mode (SM) and Multimode (MM) are the names given to two competing designs of optical fiber based on how many paths of light are transmitted along the fiber core – single mode, meaning “one path”, or multimode, meaning “more than one path.” A mode can be described as a “path” or “ray” of light in the core of the optical fiber.
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.
What is a Fiber Optic Patch Panel?
A fiber optic patch panel is commonly described as the interface panel that connects multiple optical fiber cables and optical equipment. Patch panels are rack-mountable onto 19”, 21”and 23” rack systems, and some are designed to be wall-mountable.
Future Proofing Data Center Cabling Infrastructures
Today’s business requirements are changing daily, and the infrastructure that supports those businesses needs to be equally dynamic. That means providing highly scalable connectivity infrastructure to enable the rapid integration and migration to next generation, higher speed, active equipment in your IT deployment.
What is 
CPR? – Construction Product Regulation
This is a short and easy to read explanation of the CPR and how it applies to fiber optic cables and copper balanced cables. The Construction Product Regulation (CPR) (EU No.305/2011) provides regulatory rules by using a harmonized standard (EN 50575:2014/ A1:2016) for the “reaction to fire” of cables permanently incorporated into buildings and construction works.
What is an AOC?
In today’s datacenters, bandwidth demands are continually on the increase and to accommodate these bandwidth demands the speeds of the networks in the datacenter are also increasing.
What is Base-8?
Since the dawn of time, or at least since fiber optic cables were first produced in 1975, they have always been bundled in multiples of twelve fibers / tubes. Cable fiber counts were commonly 12, 24, 48, 96, 144, and recently all the way up to 6,912 (576 individual 12-fiber units).
Understanding Different Types of Data Centre
All data centers are essentially buildings that provides space, power and cooling for network infrastructure. They centralize a business’s IT operations or equipment, as well as store, share and manage data. Businesses depend on the reliability of a data center to ensure that their daily IT operations are always functioning. As a result, security and reliability are often a data centers top priority.
Fiber Optics Wall Box Guide
No matter what your network requirements are, AFL Hyperscale have a complete portfolio of wall box solutions available to meet your fiber connectivity needs.
We understand that telecom providers need to build sustainable, scalable, cost-effective networks quickly and efficiently. AFL Hyperscale’s wall box solutions help to address these challenges. Lets take a look below at the different types of wall boxes we offer to support your growing network.
The Rise of Poor Cable Management and How You Can Make it Stop
When designing your network and physical data center infrastructure, basic concepts such as port densities, fiber volume, over vs under routing paths, and internal cabling specifications need to be carefully considered. The trend over the past few years is for higher density with a smaller footprint. This combination has become a challenge and a key driver for adequate fiber management.
Optical Cabling For Data Center Storage
The world of digital technology has never looked so bright and interesting. With the continuous developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, Internet-of-things (IoT), machine learning, computer algorithms, smart devices, and automation, the world that we live in over the next 5, 10 and 20 years will be far different than the one we are living in today.
The History of Fiber Connectors
Fiber Connectors, there are many types - but what do they do, and what are they for? Originally fiber to fiber connections were permanent and connected together by fusion splicing.
What is a 10G Fiber Network?
Ethernet is a computing network technology that has been in existence nearly since the beginning of network computing. It first came out of Xerox in 1980 and had a transmission speed of 10 Megabits per second (10Mb/s). Subsequent evolutions of Ethernet were released, always in 10 fold increments and, by design, were always backwards compatible.
The Secret to Preventing the Number One Cause of Network Failures
The leading cause of network failure is dirty connections. Almost all the time, the dirt is completely invisible to the naked eye. Failure occurs when dirt gets on a connector ferrule end-face and blocks light. Preventing contamination is the reason all fiber connectors are protected with a dust cap or built-in shutter.
MPO Connector Cleaning and Connection Instructions
An instruction guide on how to clean and connect your MPO connectors.
Single Fiber Connector Cleaning and Connection Instructions
An instruction guide on how to clean and connect your single fiber connectors.
Cable Fiber Identification
Cable fiber identification charts for singlemode and multimode.
Connector and Adapter Identification
Connector and adapter identification charts.
All you need to know about Network Infrastructure and Connectivity - AFL Hyperscale Technology Explainers
