Data center Cabling Design (1)

Distributed design in data centers

In a typical distributed switching architecture design, each server cabinet is connected through copper cables or optical fiber cables. For copper cabling, most cabinets in the data center are connected through 6A/EA class 10G Base-T copper cabling. The quantity of 6A/EA copper cables for each cabinet is determined according to the customer's requirements.

These cabling links are usually installed through the active and standby routes shown, and are connected back to the primary distribution frame MDF ).

Wiring to servers on the main distribution frame

For optical fiber cabling, most cabinets in the data center are connected through optical fiber cabling. The number of optical cables for each cabinet and the number of 6A/EA copper cables for each cabinet are determined according to the customer's requirements. These cables are installed through primary and backup routes in the same way as copper cables ,.

In addition to copper and optical fiber cabling, secondary cabling is required for core network switches and SAN systems. Other areas to consider are as follows:

◆ Operator and external service area

◆ Main network device Zone

◆ High-density zone

◆ SAN Core and storage Zone

1.1 Network Device connection

In a typical distributed switching architecture design, a copper network device link is installed between the network equipment cabinet located in the adjacent channel and the copper main distribution frame. These links span multiple racks of the primary distribution frame. There are wiring boards at the primary distribution frame end and RJ45 plugs at the network equipment cabinet end. In addition, there are a small number of copper Network Device Links between the wiring board. This design is used to provide central crossover at the main distribution frame.

Cross-join is a typical functional design element, which aims to achieve centralized cross-join areas.

◆ Suggestions on cross-connection design

◆ Centralized cross-connection location

◆ Enhanced security: physical isolation between Cabling Technicians and IT personnel

◆ No need to modify the current device

1.2 advantages of distributed design

If you make correct preparations for the number of copper cables and optical fiber ports for servers and storage devices at each cabinet location in the future, the typical distributed switching architecture is the most cost-effective design in terms of providing the highest level of switch and port utilization. The typical distributed switching architecture design is the most independent of the server design, which can provide the highest flexibility to support a variety of servers. It is not enough to prepare a large number of copper cables and optical cables at each cabinet. Structured Cabling represents the static part of the data center design, because Structured Cabling is usually not changed after initial installation.

The main drawback of the typical distributed switching architecture design is that it is necessary to prepare various copper and optical fiber cables that are connected back to the main distribution frame. Because each server is physically connected to achieve switch redundancy, this wiring will lead to considerable costs, increase operational complexity, and may impair the operation guarantee of the data center.

Tyco Electronics recommends that the high availability and reliability provided based on the distributed switching architecture design should be implemented, and the additional high cost and possible impact of additional wiring and device wiring should be compensated later.