Blog: Network Cabling & Data Center Cabling Articles

Structured Cabling System for High-Density Brocade Hardware Integration

Written by Josh Taylor | Jun 3, 2024 1:28:51 PM

In the world of technology integration, finding the perfect structured cabling system for high-density Brocade hardware can be both a challenge and an opportunity for innovation.

The Challenges

The customer faced the challenge of integrating a new fiber connector type into their data center infrastructure efficiently.

They had recently invested in the latest Brocade SAN director, which boasted extremely high density utilizing the new VSFF SN fiber connector.

They needed a solution to ensure proper integration of the new SN connector into their existing structured cabling system, ease of access for moves, adds, and changes, all while maintaining a visually pleasing environment.

The challenges included high-density hardware, maintenance and scalability, aesthetics, performance, reliability, and compatibility with the existing cabling system.

The Solution

To address the high-density Brocade SN hardware, CABLExpress proposed a structured cabling system designed to optimize space, scalability, and efficiency in data centers.

They implemented port replication to ensure all active ports are replicated in a passive area, minimizing disruptions during maintenance or upgrades.

Custom staggered fiber trunks were used to connect the Brocade hardware to the port replication patch panel, providing flexibility and contributing to the overall aesthetics of the data center.

The solution minimized link loss to achieve reliable performance, using the CABLExpress Skinny-Trunk product suite with ULL (Ultra Low Loss) performance levels.

Reliability was paramount for this critical data center application, and CABLExpress delivered a solution that met the customer's demand for 'bulletproof' reliability.

The implementation of a structured cabling system reduced the risk of accidental cable disconnections during maintenance or upgrades.

Benefits of Structured Cabling System Implementation

The structured cabling system optimized space, scalability, and efficiency in the data center.

Port replication allowed for easy moves, adds, and changes to be done in the patch panel instead of the Brocade hardware.

The custom staggered fiber trunks provided flexibility and contributed to the overall aesthetics of the data center.

The solution achieved extremely low link loss, ensuring optimal performance and throughput optimization.

The implementation delivered a 'bulletproof' reliability that was crucial for the critical data center application.

Future-Proofing the Data Center

By implementing a structured cabling system, the customer future-proofed their data center infrastructure.

The system allowed for seamless hardware additions and upgrades without creating a tangled mess of cables.

The organized cabling system also created a visually pleasing environment in the data center.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of a structured cabling system was the perfect solution for high-density Brocade hardware integration.

It addressed the challenges of integrating a new fiber connector type, maintaining performance and reliability, and creating an aesthetically pleasing data center environment.

The implementation provided benefits such as space optimization, ease of maintenance and scalability, and future-proofing the data center.

Overall, the structured cabling system ensured efficient integration and operation of the high-density Brocade hardware, setting the foundation for a reliable and visually appealing data center.

Related, helpful topics:

Know Why You Need A Data Center Structured Cabling Guide (cablexpress.com)

CABLExpressPortReplicationWhitePaper.pdf