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Additional Wireless Access Points: What It Means for Networks

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Ordinarily users will bring up to three devices with them – a smartphone, tablet and laptop, for instance – that will all connect to your network the minute you walks through your doors. (The average U.S. consumer now has 3.64 devices.) These devices are continuously downloading updates, receiving emails and synching to cloud-based storage. According to Dell’Oro, the number of wireless LAN active users is currently outpacing wired LAN users.

This fact alone proves the point that bandwidth capacity requirements are escalating– and we have not touched on the devices that are connecting to enterprise networks as a result of Internet of Things (IoT). VoIP phones, IP surveillance cameras, lighting systems and building controls are all connecting to networks to transfer data, receive data and adjust performance in real time.

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HDBaseT: Let’s talk Convergence

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There has been talk about convergence in the cabling world; some driven by new technology and market overlapping. Today’s system integrator has the ability to install a system that covers phones, computers, security, audio/video and also low-voltage power.

There are two types of convergence that we often discuss: technology and infrastructure.

Technology convergence uses a single network system, such as Ethernet, to support multiple devices. All of these devices share the same cable and active equipment. An example, you can now plug your desk phone and computer into the same telecom switch. Ethernet networks can support just about every aspect of communication, voice, data, security, building control and even AV applications. This is not the convergence we are talking about.   

Infrastructure convergence uses the same cable to support multiple systems. All sorts of devices connect to their own system using a common cabling system. The biggest type of communication cabling being used today is Ethenet category cable. While the entire system shares the same cable, the devices don’t speak the same language; therefore, they cannot communicate with each other. This system offers customers a universal, low cost-cabling system. But is it really the best solution for each application?

This article examines one version of this type of convergence: the use of category cabling for HDBaseT signals.

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Cabinet Load: Why It Matters and Why It’s Changing

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For better use of floor space and decreased operating costs, the goal it have more active gear inside cabinets and enclosures. As a result, they’re getting wider, deeper and taller. In the past, most enclosures offered 42 RUs or 45 RUs of space. Today, many cabinets offer 48 RUs of space – and can offer as many as 52 RUs (or more).

But as cabinets grow in size, they also get heavier. If cabinets get too heavy, the floor may not be able to support the load; the cabinets may also be very difficult to move.

It’s becoming crucial to analyze load ratings (load capacities) when selecting cabinets. Here are the load ratings you need to know:

  • Static load rating: How much weight a cabinet can hold when racks are loaded in the data center
  • Dynamic load rating: How much weight a cabinet can accommodate when shipped fully loaded (important to note with services like Data Center Ready becoming more popular)
  • Rolling load rating: How much weight a cabinet can tolerate as it is moved/rolled across the floor

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Why PoE Demands Cat 6A Cable

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Power over Ethernet (PoE) is ideal for supplying a variety of networking, AV and computing devices without the need for an outlet or adapter. It also reduces the amount of building material required to power and connect a device to a network by allowing a single cable to provide both services.

No longer confined solely to VoIP phones and security cameras, powered devices are increasingly calling for PoE connections; and these devices are requiring higher power levels. Wireless access points, digital signage, videoconferencing systems and laptops all require an increasing amount of power running through their cables. In fact, a new PoE standard, IEEE 802.3bt, supports up to 100 W of power per cable.

However, higher power levels running through a cable can cause performance issues by making the cable hotter; and when the cable gets hotter, insertion loss increases. This increases the chance of a business experiencing productivity-draining downtime and may also damage the cable itself.

The type of cabling selected can make a major difference in terms of how heat inside the cable is managed, as well as how it impacts performance. Category 5e and Category 6 cable can be used to support PoE devices, but Category 6A is preferable for a number of reasons.

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Cost-Effective Short Wavelength Division Multiplexing (SWDM)

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Applications Presently Using SWDM

Factoring that fiber infrastructure costs, parallel multimode MPO cabling is largely more costly than LC-duplex fiber patch cords. For direct port-to-port connections, it’s more desirable to use a single fiber pair instead of MPO trunk to keep costs down.

For supporting smooth migration from 10G to 40G Ethernet, Cisco released a proprietary 40G bi-directional (BiDi) transceiver solution that allows reuse of the duplex multimode fiber pair for 40G connection. The BiDi transceiver utilizes two wavelengths (850nm and 900nm) transmitting in the same fiber on opposite directions, with an actual bit rate of 20 Gbps. It supports 40G data transmission up to 150m in OM4 multimode fiber.

Arista’s 40G universal transceiver is another solution that supports LC-duplex fiber pair instead of MPO. The 40GBASE-UNIV supports a reach of 500m singlemode fiber and 150m reach in OM4. Similar solutions are also available from Juniper (40G-LX4) and Finisar (40G-LM4).

In short-reach datacom applications, BiDi and Universal transceiver solutions have proven to be market successes.

New SWDM Applications in WBMMF

Historically, compared to singlemode transceivers, multimode transceivers cost less and are more efficient in power consumption. The introduction of wideband multimode fiber will maintain the appeal of multimode fiber cabling systems for next-generation Ethernet speed implementation with SWDM technology.

Since 40G Ethernet was introduced, QSFP has become the most popular form factor for 40G and 100G Ethernet physical interfaces. Recently, new SWDM-based QSFP multimode transceivers, including 40G-SWDM4, 100G-SWDM4 and 100G-SWDM2, have been demonstrated by a few vendors.

In regard to standardization, the SWDM4 consortium built a consensus that 4-wavelength is a viable solution, and it’s possible to support up to eight wavelengths in the single MMF. In the IEEE 802.3 working group, WBMMF was already taken into consideration for new standards development.

If you opt for SWDM transceivers in your next data center deployment, we recommend taking a close look at OM5 to support desired reach and link performance.

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Machine Building & The IIoT

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The IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) is disrupting the manufacturing industry in eliminating rigid structures of production facilities and replacing them with flexible, networked production facilities.

What does this mean for machine builders?

Find out in this blog post, where I share my answers to a few questions about how Belden helped German-based machine builder Erhardt + Abt take advantage of the IIoT by creating an intelligent robot system.

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What is Layer 0?

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Beneath your IT infrastructure lies a foundation: layer 0. It’s the one we often don’t talk about. It’s constantly overlooked but is so critical. Installed behind walls and above the ceiling, behind closed doors and in dark rooms, your cabling – although hidden, and seldom the topic of conversation among IT professionals – is, in my opinion, the most important layer of your information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure.

What is Layer 0?

Basically, layer 0 is made up of your infrastructure cabling and connectivity. It allows data to be reliably transmitted from one place to another at high speeds – whether users/devices are in the same room, in different buildings or separated by thousands of kilometers.

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Take a Self-Assessment for ICS Cyber Security Risk

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Here’s the situation – industrial security is a hot topic today and management has decided to assign you the task to assess and come up with an action plan to protect the company from… well, they didn’t specify.

Perhaps some budget support has been provided for this task and perhaps not. Regardless of budget, it is understood that the priority is to keep production running while you put your plan into action.

Doing Nothing? Not an Option

Try the following industrial security self-assessment as a start for cyber security risk at your organization. While it isn’t for everyone, it’s a great starting point for your business. Taking action here may just help your company avoid some serious security incidents.

  1. Determine Who Should Help with the Assessment
  2. Identify the Critical Assets
  3. Prioritize and List the Largest Risks for Each Asset
  4. Prioritize the List of Industrial Security Assets
  5. Determine and Rate Existing Protection Measures

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Making Ethernet a Viable Option to Control Stage Lighting

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Imagine what it would be like attending a concert or a live theater performance without a coordinated light show. How would that impact the experience? With the amazing effects that can be achieved thanks to advancements in lighting over the past decade, it would not be nearly the same.

Years ago, most lighting systems communicated using proprietary serial protocols. This made interoperability between different OEM’s equipment problematic and often impossible. To rectify this situation, the lighting industry got together and agreed that one common standard digital protocol must be created.

The Road to Standardization in Theater and Stage Lighting – DMX512 & DM512-A

DMX512 is a standard for digital communication networks commonly used to control stage lighting and effects; it was originally intended as a standardized method for controlling light dimmers. Developed by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) Engineering Commission, the DMX512 standard (for “digital multiplex with 512 pieces of information”) was created in 1986, with subsequent revisions in 1990 leading to USITT DMX512/1990.

DMX512-A – In 1998, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) began a revision process to develop DMX512 as an ANSI standard. The resulting revised standard, known officially as “Entertainment Technology – USITT DMX512-A – Asynchronous Serial Digital Data Transmission Standard for Controlling Lighting Equipment and Accessories,” was approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in November 2004. It was revised again in 2008, and is the current standard known today as “E1.11 – 2008, USITT DMX512-A” (or just “DMX512-A”).

Ethernet is expanding as a means to communicate control signals that vary the intensity, color, timing and position of elements in theater and stage lighting systems. 

The ways that Ethernet can support theater and stage lighting

  1. The Need for Higher Bandwidth
  2. Why Not Internet Protocol (IP)?
  3. Scalability

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Flexible Data Centres Are Like Lego Blocks

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Standardization can assist your data centre deliver constant high-quality performance on time and in a safe environment. In the world of data centres, “standardization” means that processes follow the same steps, in the same sequence, while using a set of products and systems with predefined characteristics. If data centres lack standardization, then “improvisation” (executing a task without preparing or knowing what’s ahead) often takes over. This eats up valuable time, leads to mistakes caused by human error and produces inconsistent results and unexpected delays.

While the word “standardization” seems restrictive, it actually can lead to the opposite: flexible data centers that make the most of capital investments, improve space utilization and prevent unplanned downtime. Which is more important: standardized or flexible data centers? Or can you have both? It’s vital to standardize where you can – but it shouldn’t come at the loss of flexibility to meet your unique (and changing) goals.

When combined appropriately, standardized, flexible data centers offer numerous benefits. Because it can be hard to describe, we’re going to use Lego blocks as an example. While Lego blocks are standardized, they also provide a world of flexibility:

  1. The Ability to Scale Quickly
  2. Easy “Maintenance”
  3. Ramp Up Easily for Fast Deployment
  4. Pieces Designed to Work Together

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