As the number of cable in the data center is increasing, fiber optic cabling systems are becoming increasingly complex. In the high-density wiring, we must not only take into account the cable density and management needs but also should consider how to protect the cable, providing reliable network performance. Now, there are a variety of fiber optic distribution box on the market to meet the data center or server room high-density cabling application needs, then how to choose a suitable application according to the appropriate fiber distribution box?

Why are fiber distribution boxes needed in the data center?

The fiber distribution box is mainly used to help managers control many cables and connection points in a standard box structure, not only to protect the data center of the fiber optic links from physical damage but also greatly saves space, increase the data Center of the wiring density. In addition, with fiber distribution boxes, data center cable management and maintenance work have become convenient and simple, which also to a certain extent, reduce the data center installation and maintenance costs.

The most commonly used fiber distribution box in the data center is a standard 1U rack-mount fiber distribution box, and now with the increasing density of the data center wiring, 4U or even larger volume of rack-mounted fiber distribution box is also more common. In addition, the user can also according to the specific needs of the data center or server room to customize the appropriate fiber distribution box.

Design of Optical Fiber Distribution Box in Data Center

Most of the applications in the data center are rack-mounted fiber distribution boxes. In general, the rack-mounted fiber distribution box has two types: flip-type fiber distribution box and pull-type fiber distribution box (specifically as shown below), which pull-type fiber optic distribution box higher prices, But it has the characteristics of easier access to fiber.

The front panel design of the fiber distribution box is also important, and even directly determines the number of interfaces that the fiber distribution box can provide. In general, the fiber panel front panel has two main designs: fixed front panel and non-stationary front panel (see below), fixed front panel adapter number fixed, non-fixed front panel can be installed Multiple adapter panels.

Different configurations of fiber distribution boxes

We can choose according to the specific needs of different design of the fiber distribution box, the following 1U rack-mounted fiber distribution box as an example to introduce three different configurations of fiber distribution box.

Fiber distribution box (front panel fixed)

A 19-inch fiber adapter panel can be installed on the front panel of a standard Rackmount Fiber Optic Distribution Box, and different types of adapters can be installed on the adapter panel. For example, the 24-port duplex LC adapter panel on the top panel can be installed on the fiber Box on the front panel. In addition, users can purchase only an adapter-free adapter panel, and then install different types of adapters on the adapter panel, depending on the requirements.

Fiber distribution box (front panel is not fixed)

Unlike the front panel fixed fiber distribution box, the front panel of the front panel is not fixed. The front panel of the fiber distribution box is mounted with a number of removable adapter panels. This wiring box has a higher wiring density and is flexible in managing the cable. Typically, a 1U optical fiber distribution box can be installed on three removable adapter panels.

A fiber distribution box that accommodates an MTP / MPO module box

With the popularity of 40G / 100G applications, MTP / MPO cabling is increasingly becoming the norm of data centers. As a result, the fiber distribution box has been modified to accommodate three MTP / MPO module boxes in a 1U optical fiber distribution box, providing multiple LC interfaces on the front panel and multiple MTP / MPO interfaces on the rear panel As shown below).

Tips: The MTP / MPO module box is a box structure with one or more MTP-LC branch fiber jumpers in the box. The front panel has multiple LC adapters and one or more MTP adapters on the rear panel.