MPO/MTP Cassette Solution for High Density Data Centers

To face the challenge of migration from 10G to 40/100G Ethernet network, the fiber technology for higher data transmission speed has developed in a really fast manner. Under this trend, a series of high density fiber equipment, especially MPO/MTP products, are designed to control the costs, by way of maximizing return on assets. Have you ever known about MPO/MTP products, for instance, MPO/MTP cable, MPO/MTP cassette and MPO/MTP patch panel, which are very popularly used in recently years? Among these high density products, MPO/MTP cassette plays an indispensable role in 10G to 40/100G migration, as one of the ideal solutions for high density data centers. The following will mainly introduce the basic information of MPO/MTP cassette and illustrate how it is used for 10G network and the upgrading from 10G to 40/100G network.

MPO/MTP cassette is a modular module that offers secure and smooth transition between MPO/MTP and LC or SC discrete connectors, achieving a better management on the high density fiber cabling system. It is always loaded with 12 or 24 fibers, with LC or SC adapters on the front side and MPO/MTP adapters at the rear, which enables user to take the fibers brought by a trunk cable and distribute them to duplex cable.

At present, there are two types of MPO/MTP cassettes available, LGX MPO/MTP cassette and HD MPO/MTP cassette, both of which have the advantage of scalability to increase density for optimum serviceability and manageability if the data center requires. Besides, there is a special kind of cassette designed with TAP port, which can be used to easily access and monitor the data.

As we all know, the most widely used interface of 10G optics is LC connector. Accordingly, the commonly used MPO/MTP cassettes are MTP-LC cassettes that feature optimized performance and superior optical and mechanical properties. The following figure will show three MTP-LC cassettes, 1xMTP(12-Fiber) to 6xLC duplex cassette, 2xMTP(2*12-Fiber) to 12xLC duplex cassette and 1xMTP(24-Fiber) to 12xLC duplex cassette, with specific port configurations. Both of them can be used for 10G network and the application from 10G to 40/100G.

MPO/MTP cassette can be used for 10G network, with the function of connecting one 10G device to another one. It is generally known that a duplex LC fiber patch cable can be chosen for direct connection if the two 10G devices only need to be connected for a short distance transmission. However, once long distance transmission is required between the two devices, a MPO/MTP cassette would be a good choice for this 10G interconnection or cross connection. In the following figure, it gives an example of a 1xMTP(12-Fiber) to 6xLC duplex cassette used for 10G long distance transmission.

It is highly suggested to use a MPO/MTP cassette to connect 10G device to 40G device, as an optimal solution. Similarly, if the distance is very short between the 10G device and the 40G device, a MTP-4 duplex LC fiber patch cable can be used for direct connection. But when long distance connection is needed, this method canrsquo;t meet the requirement any more and a MPO/MTP cassette is strongly recommended for this interconnection or cross connection. The following figure also presents an example of 1xMTP(24-Fiber) to 12xLC duplex cassette for 10G to 40G connection.

From the following figure, we can learn a 2xMTP(2*12-Fiber) to 12xLC duplex cassette is used for the 10G to 100G application. Is there any point we should note in the upgrading? Of course, a MTP-10 duplex LC fiber patch cable can simply address the upgrading for direct connection if the 10G device is not far from the 100G device. But when the distance between the devices is very long, the MPO/MTP cassette is also very essential for the 10G to 100G application.

MPO/MTP cassette enables fast deployment of high density data center infrastructure that also allows for improved troubleshooting and reconfiguration during moves, adds and changes. At present, there are three most commonly MPO/MTP cassettes, 1xMTP(12-Fiber) to 6xLC duplex cassette, 2xMTP(2*12-Fiber) to 12xLC duplex cassette and 1xMTP(24-Fiber) to 12xLC duplex cassette, both of which are able to support 10G network and the upgrading from 10G to 40/100G.