MTP fiber cable assembly to what kind of LC connectors?

Here we go again, changing things when a traditional LC connector worked just fine, or did it? Over the past couple of years the convenience of a small footprint by the LC connector has been evolving due to manufactures battling for your data center dollars. Let's quickly go over the different types of connectors.

1) LC Traditional Duplex - This has been the most popular LC duplex connector since the dawn of time. A simple yet effective design by tightly holding 2 individual strands of terminated LC simplex connectors. A small clip is used to hold the connectors together and also offers a press down tab to easily remove the connectors from the port. Can you remove the small clip? Sure, but it's a chore and you'll destroy it.

2)  LC AFOP Duplex - The AFOP LC duplex has almost everything in common as your LC traditional duplex but the connectors are easily removed and reattached. If your in a busy closet you might have to move single a strand around, especially in an emergency or maybe reverse the polarity. A small clip is used to hold the connectors together, also offers a press down tab to easily remove the connectors from the port and has openings on the sides to allow you to separate the connectors and put them back together.

3) LC Generic UNIBOOT - The LC connector portion of the UNIBOOT is similar to the LC traditional duplex connector, but the main difference is that you have 2 strands of fiber now in one jacket. Since your now saving space in your cable raceway you can add more cables in the same size raceway or save on cost by installing a smaller raceway. This is an excellent choice for high density applications.

4) LC SANWA UNIBOOT - This connector is named after the the manufacture SANWA and truthfully after playing with this connector vs. the generic UNIBOOT I can't tell the difference, until I grabbed an additional tool that cracks this connector open. After opening it you can reverse the polarity easily! Check the video out. I've also seen this connector specified on many Verizon projects.

5) LC UNIVERSAL - This connector is a proprietary connector. Accepts the traditional size LC connector but also accepts the "MINI LC" for small footprint mini SFP (mSFP) ports. I thought the LC connector was small enough already but space is money. Currently these "High Density MINI LC" connectors are commonly installed and designed to work with Brocade's FC8-64 high density 64 port blade.

You'll probably want to save this post somewhere, I wrote it so I have it saved. If you check the rest of this blog out it's hard to keep track of everything going on out there, I can't remember it all. Don't forget to follow me on GOOGLE PLUS thanks!

"By Mercy Salinas"

Information Technology Tip Tuesday - Best WiFi Sniffer

Check out one of my favorite WiFi sniffers so you can find out what and where your Wireless Access Points are located. Here's that link WiFi Sniffer

The above video shows off how cool Metageek products are.

Don't forget to comment! Thanks!

"By Mercy Salinas"

Information Technology Tip Tuesday - Smart Machines replacing humans

Gartner has a cool read on the future of smart machines replacing the middle class workforce and how CIOs should review policy to help avoid a increase in national unemployment.

Here's a link to the Smart Machines Replacing Humans article by Gartner.

This reminded me of that Twilight Zone episode called a thing about machines.



I hope you stay employed. Comment below, thanks!

GPON, what is it and why install it?

A Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) is a point-to-multipoint, fiber to the premises network architecture in which unpowered optical splitters are used to enable a single strand of fiber to serve multiple premises, typically 16 to 128. A PON consists of an optical line terminal at the service provider's central office and a number of optical fiber network units near end users. A PON reduces the amount of fiber and central office equipment required compared with point-to-point architectures. A passive optical network is a form of fiber-optic access network.

Downstream signals are broadcast to all premises sharing multiple fibers. Encryption can prevent eavesdropping.

Let's take a quick look at why you'd install GPON. This Tellabs Passive Optical LAN video using GPON technology at the Department of Energy Sandia Lab in New Mexico gives us a good feel for the benefits.



Looks like it's time to redesign the network again. Maybe for the last time.

"By Mercy Salinas"

DS3 734 coaxial cable for the central office? For who, for what?

I guess we can start by talking about how Digital Signal Level 3 comes out to 28 T-1 lines or about 43 to 45 Mbps upstream/downstream speeds, you can also handle 672 voice conversations simultaneously. You'll usually see a DS3 coax cable installed in the last mile of the long haul.

Where is this cable installed? Could be companies who host high traffic websites, government offices, schools or a location might have a DS3 on the back end just for a "as needed" basis.

DS3 interconnect coaxial cable should always be a 75ohm cable. A 50ohm can be used but you'll have lower performance and depending on the length of the cable run a signal might not even appear. Generic requirements for central office coax cable defines 734 and 735 as being the cables used for this application. If you're looking into a coax cable you probably should also look for the GR-139-CORE as a specification.

The 734 cable has a larger conductor compared to the 735 and that'll help you on those longer cable runs, plus the cost difference ain't a big deal so I would splurge for it. The 734 is used for interconnect up to 450 feet.

Let's take a look at a Commscope 734 plenum cable from our YouTube channel.

If you're just starting your research on DS3 hopefully this post helped out and don't forget to share this post!

"By Mercy Salinas"