A whitepaper from the Communications Cable and Connectivity Association’s (CCCA) data center committee is a guide for data center professionals and IT managers. The whitepaper examines the many factors to consider when evaluating top of rack (ToR) and structured cabling configurations, including the impact of those configurations on total management; scalability and upgrades; interoperability; equipment, maintenance and cabling costs; port utilization; power consumption and cooling requirements.

The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association’s (CCCA) newly formed data center committee has developed a whitepaper that is a guide for data center professionals and IT managers.

The whitepaper, Navigating the Pros & Cons of Structured Cabling vs. Top of Rack in the Data Center, examines the many factors to consider when evaluating top of rack (ToR) and structured cabling configurations. Topics include the impact of those configurations on total management; scalability and upgrades; interoperability; equipment, maintenance and cabling costs; port utilization; power consumption and cooling requirements.

This whitepaper is the first of many planned contributions from the data center committee. “The pace at which data center hardware and space configuration changes is daunting. CCCA recognized both a need and an opportunity to help guide data center cabling decisions by providing the latest studies, options and expert views from the industry’s leading cable and connectivity manufacturers,” states Executive Director Frank Peri. “As with our other working groups, the goal of the CCCA data center committee is to add our voice to the development of industry codes, standards and other important resources.”

The Data Center committee plans an active and ongoing global communications program using a variety of venues. “The global data center environment is dynamic and challenging for those designing the cabling network,” adds Bob Carlson of the Siemon Company and Chair of the new committee. “Cabling systems design and topology choices have a significant impact on server and port utilization, operating efficiencies and even energy consumption. The new committee strives to provide information and insights that are relevant globally to assist design professionals and end users to make well-informed cabling decisions.”

CCCA is comprised of leading manufacturers, distributors and material suppliers who are committed to serve as a major resource for well-researched, fact-based information on the technologies and issues vital to the structured cabling industry. For information updates on data center and other timely industry topics, visit the association’s website at http://www.cccassoc.org, sign up for the quarterly newsletter, check the Communications Cable & Connectivity LinkedIn group, and CCCA’s YouTube page.