10 Gigabit Ethernet Cabling Options in Data Center

10 Gigabit Ethernet or 10GbE is a group of computer networking technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of 10 gigabits per second. Nowadays, 10 Gigabit Ethernet is gaining broader deployments by the increasing bandwidth requirements and the growth of enterprise applications. In the world of 10 Gigabit Ethernet, selecting the appropriate 10-gigabit physical media is a challenge, because 10GbE is offered in two broad categories: optical and copper. This article will introduce both optical and copper cabling options for 10 Gigabit Ethernet.

Fiber Optical Cabling

Single-mode fiber (SMF), typically with an optical core of approximately 9 μm (microns), has lower modal dispersion than multimode fiber. It is able to support distances of at least 10 km, depending on transmission speed, transceivers and the buffer credits allocated in the switches. While multimode fiber (MMF), with an optical core of either 50 μm or 62.5 μm, can support distances up to 600 m, depending on transmission speed and transceivers.

When planning data center cabling requirements, be sure to consider that a service life of 15-20 years can be expected for fiber optic cabling. Thus the cable chosen should support legacy, current and emerging data rates.

10GBASE-SR — a port type for multimode fiber, 10GBASE-SR cable is the most common type for fiber optic 10GbE cable. It is able to support an SFP+ connector with an optical transceiver rated for 10GbE transmission speed. 10GBASE-SR cable is known as “short reach” fiber optic cable.

10GBASE-LR — a port type for single-mode fiber, 10GBASE-LR cable is the “long reach” fiber optic cable. It is able to support a link length of 10 km.

OM3 and OM4 are multimode cables that are “laser optimized” and support 10GbE applications. The transmission distance can be up to 300 m and 400 m respectively.

Copper Cabling

Common types of 10GbE copper cables are as follows:

• 10GBASE-CR — the most common type of copper 10GbE cable, 10GBASE-CR cable uses an attached SFP+ connector and it is also known as a SFP+ direct attach copper (DAC). This fits into the same form factor connector and housing as the fiber optic cables with SFP+ connectors. Many 10GbE switches accept cables with SFP+ connectors, which support both copper and fiber optic cables.
• Passive and Active DAC — passive copper connections are common with many interfaces. As the transfer rates increase, passive copper does not provide the distance needed and takes up too much physical space. So the industry is moving towards an active copper type of interface for higher speed connections. Active copper connections include components that boost the signal, reduce the noise and work with smaller gauge cables, improving signal distance, cable flexibility and airflow.
• 10GBASE-T — 10GBASE-T cables are Cat6a (category 6 augmented). Supporting the higher frequencies required for 10GbE transmission, category 6a is required to reach the distance of 100 m (330 feet). Cables must be certified to at least 500 MHz to ensure 10GBASE-T compliance. Cat 6 cables may work in 10GBASE-T deployments up to 55 m (180 feet) depending on the quality of installation. Some 10GbE switches support 10GBASE-T (RJ45) connectors. 10GBASE-T offers the most flexibility, the lowest cost media, and is backward-compatible with existing 1 GbE networks.

Fiberstore Solutions for 10 Gigabit Ethernet

As one of the most professional optical manufacturers in China, Fiberstore’s solutions for 10 Gigabit Ethernet include 10G SFP+ fiber, 10G SFP+ DAC. Besides, we also supply high quality 10G transceivers, like X2-10GB-SR, SFP-10G-ZR, SFP-10G-SR, XFP-10GZR-OC192LR, etc.

Cisco 10GBASE SFP+ Modules

The Cisco10GBASE SFP+ modules is one of the most popular kinds of transceivers which offers customers a wide variety of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for data center, enterprise wiring closet, and service provider transport applications.

Main features of Cisco 10GBASE SFP+ modules include: it has the smallest 10G form factor ,hot-swappable input/output device that plugs into an Ethernet SFP+ port of a Cisco switch and optical inter operability with 10GBASE XENPAK, 10GBASE X2, and 10GBASE XFP interfaces on the same link. What;s more, it supports not only 10GBASE Ethernet and OTU2/OTU2e, “pay-as-you-populate” model, digital optical monitoring capability, but also the Cisco quality identification (ID) feature that enables a Cisco switch to identify whether the module is certified and tested by Cisco. The followings are some different kinds of Cisco 10GBASE SFP+ modules.

Cisco SFP-10G-SR

The Cisco SFP-10G-SR module supports link length of 26m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade multimode fiber (MMF). Using 2000MHz*km MMF (OM3), up to 300m link lengths are possible. Using 4700MHz*km MMF (OM4), up to 400m link lengths are possible.

Cisco SFP 10G-SR-X

The Cisco SFP-10G-SR-X is a 10GBASE-SR module for extended operating temperature range. It supports a link length of 26m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade multimode fiber (MMF). Using 2000MHz*km MMF (OM3), up to 300m link lengths are possible. Using 4700MHz*km MMF (OM4), up to 400m link lengths are possible.

Cisco SFP-10G-LRM

The Cisco 10GBASE-LRM module supports link lengths of 220m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) grade multimode fiber (MMF). To ensure that specifications are met over FDDI-grade, OM1 and OM2 fibers, the transmitter should be coupled through a mode conditioning patch cord. No mode conditioning patch cord is required for applications over OM3 or OM4. The Cisco 10GBASE-LRM module also supports link lengths of 300m on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

Cisco FET-10G

The Cisco FET-10G fabric extender transceiver support link lengths up to 100m on laser-optimized OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber. It is supported on fabric links only from a Nexus 2000 to a Cisco parent switch. Note this product is not orderable individually.

Cisco SFP-10G-LR

The Cisco 10GBASE-LR module supports a link length of 10 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

Cisco SFP-10G-LR-X

The Cisco SFP-10G-LR-X is a multirate 10GBASE-LR, 10GBASE-LW and OTU2/OTU2e module for extended operating temperature range. It supports a link length of 10 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

Cisco SFP-10G-ER

The Cisco 10GBASE-ER module supports a link length of up to 40 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

Cisco SFP-10G-ZR

The Cisco SFP-10G-ZR is a multirate 10GBASE-ZR, 10GBASE-ZW and OTU2/OTU2e module. It supports link lengths of up to about 80 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652). This interface is not specified as part of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard and is instead built according to Cisco specifications.

Fiberstore is a leading supplier of SFP+ transceivers. We have a large selection of SFP+ transceivers in stock, such us SFP+ MM 300m, SFP+ 10km, SFP+ 40km, SFP+ 80km, CWDM SFP+, DWDM SFP+, BiDi SFP+, etc. All of our SFP+ transceivers are tested in-house prior to shipping to ensure that they will arrive in perfect physical and working condition. We offer our customers with high-performance and cost-effective products to fulfill their requirements, contributing this way to the customer's success and satisfaction.

10GBASE-T for Broad 10 Gigabit Adoption in the Data Center

With the demand for improved bandwidth, greater flexibility, infrastructure simplification, ease of migration, 10GBASE-T specification was lauched as a cost-effective solution to reach the majority of switches and servers in the data center. This article looks at what is driving choices for deploying 10 GbE and how 10GBASE-T will lead to broader deployment. It also compares 10GBASE-T with other media options for 10 Gb Ethernet.

What Is 10GBASE-T

10GBASE-T is an IEEE 802.3an standard which supports the creation of technology that is capable of transmitting 10 Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters over four pairs of CAT-5 balanced copper cabling system. It is an exciting technology that provides end users with cost-effective media to achieve 10Gbps data rates.

Advantages of 10GBASE-T

Today, data center administrators have a number of 10 GbE interfaces to choose from including CX4, SFP+ Fiber, SFP+ Direct Attach Copper (DAC). However, limitations with these interfaces have kept them from being broadly deployed across the data center. Fiber connections are not cost-effective for broad deployment, and SFP+ DAC is limited by its seven-meter reach, and requires a complete infrastructure upgrade. CX4 is an older technology that does not meet high density requirements. Widespread deployment requires a cost-effective solution that is backward compatible and has the flexibility capable of reaching the majority of switches and servers in the data center.

Like all BASE-T implementations, 10GBASE-T works for lengths up to 100 meters, giving IT managers a far greater level of flexibility in connecting devices in the data center. With flexibility in reach, 10GBASE-T can accommodate either top of the rack, middle of row, or end of the row network topologies. This gives IT managers the most flexibility in server placement since it will work with existing structured cabling systems. Because 10GBASE-T is backward-compatible with 1000BASE-T, it can be deployed in existing 1 GbE switch infrastructures in data centers that are cabled with CAT6 and CAT6A (or above) cabling, enabling IT to keep costs down while offering an easy migration path to 10 GbE.

10GBASE-T vs 10GBASE SFP + DAC

DAC is a lower cost alternative to fiber, but it can only reach 7 meters and it is not backward-compatible with existing GbE switches. DAC requires the purchase of an adapter card and requires a new top of rack (ToR) switch topology. The cables are much more expensive than structured copper channels, and cannot be field terminated. This makes DAC more expensive than 10GBASE-T. The adoption rate of DAC for LOM will be low since it does not have the flexibility and reach of 10GBASE-T. 10GBASE-T offers the most flexibility, the lowest cost media, and is backward-compatible with existing 1 GbE networks.

The Future of 10GBASE-T

Broad deployment on 10GBASE-T will simplify data center infrastructures, making it easier to manage server connectivity while delivering the bandwidth needed for heavily virtualized servers and I/O-intensive applications. As volumes rise, prices will continue to fall, and new silicon processes have lowered power and thermal values. These advances make 10GBASE-T suitable for integration on server motherboards. This level of integration, known as LAN on Motherboard (LOM) will lead to mainstream adoption of 10 GbE for all server types in the data center.

Fiber Store Solutions for 10 Gigabit Ethernet

As one of the most professional optical manufacturers in China, Fiberstore’s solutions for 10 Gigabit Ethernet include 10G SFP+ fiber, 10G SFP+ DAC. Besides, we also  provide high quality 10G SFP transceivers, like  SFP-10G-ZR, SFP-10G-SR, SFP-10G-LR-X, etc.