Warmer Data Centers with Shielded Cabling and VersaPOD Cabinets

Posted on May 15, 2012 by David Wall

It is OK to raise temperatures in the data center?

According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air­ Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and equipment manufacturers, it is.

New recommendations in ASHRAE 72­74 (22­23C) suggest it is no longer necessary to keep data cen­ters at 68­69 degrees.

So, how does this relate to network cabling and data center cabinet selection?

Warmer overall temperatures in the data center can cause a chain reaction that gives shielded cabling and VersaPOD a competitive advantage.

The warmer the air that goes into the front of servers and switches, ­the warmer the air that comes out the back. In most cases, the ca­bling is in the rear of the server cabinets, and the patching is at the top ­right in the path of higher temperature airflow. (see image)

VersaPOD and Shielded Cabling for Heat Management

Cabling system performance can be adversely affected by heat and should be derated accordingly. Shielded systems are more tem­perature resistant than UTP, re­quiring as little as half the temperature derating of UTP. This means that shielded systems are better suited to higher temperature data center environments.  Learn more about the advantages of shielded cabling in the Shielded Copper Cabling Resource Center.

With Siemon VersaPOD data center cabinets, cabling is routed in the Zero­-U vertical spaces between bayed cabinets and out of the hot zone at the top of the cabinet, further protecting cabling from the potential effects of hotter data centers.  Learn more about the VersaPOD data center cabinet’s additional thermal management and Zero-U capabilities.

 

Posted in Data Center Cooling, Data Center Infrastructure, Data Center Space and Density, Power Consumption/Energy Efficiency | Leave a comment

How to Eliminate Server Swing-Arms in Data Center Cabinets

Posted on May 15, 2012 by David Wall
Data Center Cabinet Swing-Arm - Before and After

Data Center Cabinet Swing-Arm - Before and After

Server-mounted swing arms are a common solution for cable management in data center enclosures.

But they actually cause more problems than they solve.

Swing arms have limited capacity and when overfilled, can keep cabinet doors from closing. This not only looks awful, but the inability to close and lock a cabinet can be a serious security issue.

But the biggest swing arm issue is the effect on cooling.

Swing arms route cable horizontally across the equipment, blocking exhaust fans and spaces critical to proper hot aisle/cold aisle airflow. Proponents may argue that they are needed when sliding the servers out, but the majority of server failures require the server to removed from the swing arm anyway.

Swing arms are not needed with VersaPOD Data Center Cabinets by Siemon.

By routing cords and cable directly into Zero-U vertical patch panels or cable management channels instead of through swing arms mounted right in front the equipment, VersaPOD data center cabinets dramatically reduce airflow disruption in the horizontal cabinet space.

As the panels mount vertically (copper and fiber) cables are very easy to dress in server to server. Plus, you get greater cable capacity, simpler cable management and a much better looking installation.

Learn more about VersaPOD Data Center Cabinets.

Posted in Cable Management, Data Center Cooling, Data Center Infrastructure, Data Center Space and Density | Leave a comment

A Single Network Connectivity Adapter for All Furniture – Siemon Universal Modular Furniture Adapter

Posted on April 27, 2012 by David Wall

Why order separate faceplates to fit all the different varieties of modular furniture when you can carry one that fits them all?

We at Siemon asked ourselves the same question.

Our answer is the new Universal Modular Furniture adapter, which adjusts to fit all known furniture openings and panel thicknesses, providing a single mounting solution that eliminates the need for furniture-specific mounting products.

  1. Single Solution – Single product solution for securely mounting work area network connectivity in any of today’s commonly used modular furniture systems.
  2. Flexible Mounting – Fits wide range of furniture opening sizes, from 1.3in (33mm) to 1.75in (44.4mm) high by 2.63in (67mm) to 3.0in(76mm) wide.
  3. Manage Bend Radius – Extended design provides additional mounting depth and cable management space, helping maintain bend radius compliance in space challenged furniture pathways.
  4. Optional Angled CT Adapter – Further extend mounting clearance for larger diameter, high-performance cabling with strict bend radius limits.
  5. Low-profile – Impact-resistant design eliminates catch points to reduce potential damage due to incidental contact – a common concern in modular furniture connectivity.

If you are a contractor and would like to try it out yourself, we’ll send you a sample. Learn how to get a free sample.

Learn about other Siemon contractor-focused work area products.

Posted in Contractor Solutions, New Products | Leave a comment

Contractor Pitstop: 50% More Space with Siemon’s 5 SQUARE Telecommunications Outlet Box

Posted on April 23, 2012 by David Wall

Siemon’s 5 SQUARE® telecommunications outlet box was specifically designed to help contractors install today’s high performance copper and fiber optic cabling systems, providing 50% more useable space than traditional 4 square boxes.

This additional space simplifies installation, while integrated cable management helps maintain the strict bend-radius requirements of high-performance systems – while leaving room for future upgrades and expansions.

  1. 50% More space – provides 64 cubic inches of useable space versus just 30-42 cubic inches for standard boxes – simplifying installation and leaving room for future expansion
  2. Supports Large-Diameter Cable – Provides additional space for management and bend radius maintenance of larger diameter cables, such as category 6A UTP
  3. Integrated Cable Management – 5 SQUARE is the only telecommunications outlet box with an integrated cable management system
  4. Flexible Mounting and Installation Options – Standard and bracket-mounted versions feature multiple conduit knockout configurations and are available with single and double-gang plaster/reducer rings in depths up to 1 ¼”

Get Siemon’s 5 SQUARE® telecommunications outlet box specifications, part numbers and order information.

 

Posted in Contractor Solutions, Converged Low Voltage Cabling, New Products | 1 Comment

New Mission Critical Article Looks at Structured Cabling Vs. Point-to-Point in the Data Center

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Brian Duval

Carrie Higbie’s expertise is getting around.  She’s been all over the world, helping dataMission Critical center pros get a more balanced handle on the current debate between point-to-point cabling and structured cabling.  This time, Carrie has written a piece for Mission Critical magazine and it gives a straightforward look at the 2 technologies and highlights how a better understanding of each technology’s pros and cons can help you make better long term data center cabling decisions.  Check out the March/April edition of Mission Critical or check it out online:
http://www.missioncriticalmagazine.com/articles/84842-point-to-point-designs-in-the-data-center

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Contractor Pitstop: Siemon HD6 Patch Panels

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Brian Duval

When it was launched back in 1999, Siemon’s HD6 Patch panel was the first to exceed category 6 performance requirements. Now, over a decade later, its installer friendly features and high quality still set the standard for category 6 patching, while available contractor pricing levels make HD6 more cost competitive than ever.

1. Competitive Contractor Pricing – Contact your local Siemon sales representative to find out how contractors can get high-quality, high-performance US-made HD6 patch panels priced to compete against commodity level products.

Contact Siemon Customer service at cust...@siemon.com to get in touch with your local representative.

2. Familiar, Installer-Friendly Termination – Terminates with standard 110 punch-down tools.

3. Fast, Simple Conductor Lacing – Pyramid wire entry system easily separates twisted pairs for ultra-fast conductor lacing, even with bonded conductors.

4. Built “Like a Tank” – Heavy-gauge aluminum construction with rear enclosure ensures long-term durability and protects printed circuitry.

5. Rock-Solid Cable Management – Includes robust rear cable manager to properly guide cables and maintain proper bend radius to point of termination.

To learn more about HD6 Patch Panels visit:
http://www.siemon.com/go/hd6

Posted in Contractor Solutions | Leave a comment

Contractor Pitstop: Fast Multi-Pair Terminations on S110 and S210 Blocks

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Brian Duval

With all of the “latest and greatest” tools coming out promising to simplify the cabling contractor’s job, it is easy to forget the tried and true “stand-bys” that are just as effective today as when they first hit the market. The Siemon S110®/S210® Multi-Pair Termination Tool is one of those go-to tools. Designed for fast punch-down terminations on S110/S210 blocks and Siemon HD5 patch panels, it is still an efficient contractor time-saver:

1. Faster Terminations – Terminates and cuts multiple cable pairs simultaneously, reducing installation time.

2. Flexible – Terminates pairs on both the cable and cross-connect side of S110 and S210 blocks and seats S110 and S210-style connecting blocks/clips

3. Versatile –S110 version provides quick, multipair terminations on Siemon HD5 Patch Panels

4. Simple and User-Friendly – Ergonomically designed tool accommodates both 4 and 5-pair S110 and 4-pair S210 cutting heads

5. Durable – Mechanism designed for over 50,000 termination cycles

To learn more about S110®/S210® Multi-Pair Termination Tool visit: http://www.siemon.com/go/multipair

Posted in Contractor Solutions | Leave a comment

Contractor Pitstop: Free XLR8 Mechanical Splice Fiber Termination Kit

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Brian Duval

Siemon wants cabling contractors to see  firsthand how the innovative XLR8™ mechanical splice system can improve LC and SC fiber termination times and performance consistency.  So, for a limited time, Siemon is offering a free XLR8 tool kit with the purchase of 300 XLR8 fiber connectors.  (See below for details)

XLR8 Contractor Benefits:

1. Unsurpassed Termination Speed – XLR8 cuts field termination time in half, allowing contractors to perform more high-performance fiber terminations in less time

2. Ultra-Simple, User-Friendly Process – Less craft-intensive than epoxy polish, fusion and traditional mechanical splice systems, allowing less experienced technicians to deliver fiber terminations

3. Single-Step Termination – XLR8 tool combines splice activation and crimp into one step, eliminating fiber movement to ensure splice integrity

4. Foolproof Endface Protection – Connector dust cap remains in place throughout termination, protecting performance-critical connector endface

5. Precision Cleaver – Exclusive, oil-dampened cleaver delivers a clean, consistent cleave every time

To learn more about Siemon’s XLR8, including a real time termination video, visit: http://www.siemon.com/us/xlr8/

Contact your local Siemon representative to learn how you can get a free XLR8 toolkit.
Find your local Siemon team: http://www.siemon.com/us/company/offices.asp

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POL (Passive Optical LAN) Technology – Where it Fits and Where it Doesn’t (BICSI News Article)

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Chris Soricelli

If you have ever had questions as to when it is advantageous to go with POL, Valerie Maguire’s article in BICSI News can provide answers.  Check it out here: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/bicsi/news_20120304/#/42


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New Article: 10GBase-T equipment availability and the future of copper media

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Brian Duval

Cabling Installation and Maintenance Magazine has just published an  interesting article on 10GBASE-T and twisted pair copper cabling in their March issue.  Written by Ron Cates of PLX (a leading 10Gb/s PHY developer) and Siemon’s Val Maguire, it gives a solid overview of recent developments in 10GBASE-T equipment technology and the effect it will have on the future of twisted pair cabling.

CI&M Article: LINK

Key Point Overview:

  • 10GBASE-T is NOT the end of the line for twisted pair copper
  • 10GBASE-T networking equipment is available and adoption is increasing –projected to be dominant 10Gb/s Ethernet application by 2014
  • 10GBASE-T equipment is no longer “power hungry”
    • Early generations of 10GBASE-T equipment consumed up to 10W per port.
    • Current PHY technology uses less than 4W per port.
    • Pending technology will bring it to below 2.5W by 2013
    • 10GBASE-T also supports additional power-saving technologies not possible with other 10Gb/s Ethernet applications:
      • Wake-on-LAN (WOL) – allows equipment to enter low-power “sleep” mode, consuming negligible power, until needed
      • Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) – reduces power consumption by 50% to 90% by using a Low Power Idle (LPI) mode
      • Short-Reach Mode – Allows equipment to auto-detect shorter channels and scale power back accordingly. For example, a typical 100m 10GBASE-T channel may consume 3.5W per port while a 10m channel may only consume 2W per port.
  • 10GBASE-T is by far the most cost effective 10GB/s application

 

 

 

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