The white space at the heart of a data center is where the competing demands of rapidly increasing capacity within a finite space are in the sharpest focus

Fiber no longer functions as a passive backbone interconnecting largely uniform compute systems. Optical infrastructure now operates as an active architectural layer carrying multiple workload classes with distinct operational characteristics

Best get connected

Real-time, end-to-end network monitoring not only improves data center management, but can aid fiber densification efforts, says Panduit's Michael Akinla

Copper cabling is slowly giving way to fiber in communications, but there are still many areas where it dominates. But for how long, asks CommScope's James Young

Google and Facebook are changing the game in submarine cables

Single-mode fiber offers superior longevity, distance and upgradeability, while costs have dropped dramatically in recent years

Which is most cost effective for you?

With faster processors in use, it's time to speed up connectivity. 800Gbps can't get here too soon!

5G means more data, and that means you need more fiber

Smaller cities need to have redundant peering before their Edge markets can take off

Before you light up a new fiber path, make sure it is up to the job

Understanding complex cable connectivity is crucial to the overall installation and your project’s success

It will continue to be a challenge in the industry to develop products that can scale effectively to reach the required fiber counts while not overwhelming existing duct and inside plant environments

Private optical networking is helping organizations reap the benefits of colocation

Selecting the right type and quantity of equipment is vitally important for ensuring profitable, flexible data cable installation operations

Look out for the arrival of 5G and continued issues around security

Fiber networks are getting more future-proof, thanks to new signal processing and better cabling systems 

You can’t beat the speed of light, but the right optical network design and component selection will get you pretty close

Single mode fiber really will change data centers, and the benefits aren’t just in the increased speed

Although Base-12 connectivity will continue to have its place in the data center, forward looking data centers will increasingly adopt Base-8 technology