JANUARY 19, 2009 -- Draka Communications' multimode product, MaxCap550, is currently fully compliant with today's OM4 fiber specifications, enabling it to meet the requirements for next-generation data centers and server farms, says the company.
MaxCap550 was a result of further optimizing Draka's patented PCVD production process by identifying a sub-group with superior characteristics enabling 10 Gbps over 550 meters, say Draka representatives. OM4 fibers are specified with an increased effective minimum modal bandwidth of 4700 MHz.km at 850 nm (compared with 2000 MHz.km for OM3). In addition, for system safety and backwards compatibility, extra margins of overfilled launch (OFL) bandwidth specification (minimum 3500 MHz.km at 850 nm and 500 MHz km at 1300 nm) are maintained.
"Draka is excited to be a part of the working committee that is shaping up future standards to meet fast emerging data communications demands, and that the industry is using our specifications as a benchmark, " reports Jack Rosko, product manager, Private Networks, Draka Communications." Draka's MaxCap550 is the most accurately specified next-generation multimode product available today, offering customers lowest risk connectivity to meet their needs."
Higher grade OM4 multimode fiber can be used in several applications such as backbone connections in Local Area Networks (LAN), data centers, as well as interconnections inside telecom central offices. OM4 multimode fiber is ideal for 10G link applications requiring a higher power budget--for example, when more connectors are required, which is the case in data centers. They are also perfect for 10G applications requiring a longer distance than 300 m (up to 550 m).
Finally, says the company, they are future proof, especially for 40- and 100-Gbps Ethernet, currently under development by IEEE802.3ba, where an extended distance version is considered up to 250 m using OM4 multimode fiber above the currently agreed 100 m. Currently, Fiber Channel is considering using OM4 multimode fiber for its high-speeds offerings.
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