FEATURE
Ray Hagen, Global Product Line
Manager at ProLabs
Each end of these breakout cables can
be programmed for a different OEM if the
application warrants.
Some OEM network elements may
allow work around commands or accept
cables from other OEMs, but these
may also present operational ‘work
arounds’ requiring documentation and
training that will not go away over time.
Third-party suppliers have experience
in programming pluggable cables and
transceivers to work seamlessly with OEM
switches and servers – without these
work arounds.
Smarter inventory and
schedule management
Server cabling adds another level of
complexity to ToR interoperability. The
Network Interface Cards (NICs) used may
vary by manufacturer or as specified by a
network design team. A typical example
would be a ToR switch from OEM ‘C’ with
servers from OEM ‘D’. The data centre
installers may in fact order hybrid DAC
cables with compatible programming
with each end coded for the appropriate
OEM. However, upon receipt of the OEM
‘D’ servers, the installers learn that the
NICs installed are actually from a third
manufacturer, OEM ‘I’. The hybrid cables
received may or may not be compatible
with this revised hardware configuration.
All too often this scenario results in data
centres holding on to excess inventory of
cabling and network elements.
Even if they did know the NIC was OEM
‘I’, interoperability may vary by model
number and revision. Meanwhile, project
deadlines will suffer as the proper OEM
compatible cabling is procured.
Managing inventory for every conceivable
cable length, NIC and OEM combination is
not a viable solution for any organisation.
Fortunately, there are cost-effective
solutions available. Field coding systems
offer install teams the powerful ability to
apply OEM compatible programming on
one or both ends of DAC or AOC cables.
These systems are available from thirdparty
optics suppliers and offer access
to vast libraries of OEM-compatible
programming for thousands of network
elements. This flexibility allows install
teams to procure the correct cable lengths
ahead of project deadlines without
concern for compatibility or interoperability.
In addition to DAC and AOC cables, field
coding systems offer OEM programming
capabilities for network pluggable
transceivers, offering a full-service
tool for both installations and break-fix
requirements. Field coding systems are
cloud-based with management tools that
track programming history to support
network audits.
The critical elements necessary
for future data centres
DAC and AOC cables are a critical
part of every data centre’s Top-of-
Rack and End-of-Row deployments,
offering greater efficiency, lower power
consumption and an attractive price
point. With OEM ecosystems having
the ability to lock data centres into
proprietary connectivity and provide
lead times that can severely impact
service levels to the business, data
centre managers need to consider
proven solutions that allow them to do
their job more easily and reduce the risk
of delays in deployment.
Hybrid DAC/AOC and field coding
systems could be the key to data centre
managers improving the efficiency of their
networks in line with the ever-growing
demands. By utilising these solutions
today to improve project schedules,
inventory management and service
levels to the business, data centre
operators have access to a robust set
of tools to ensure interoperability in ToR
environments and allow them to grow in
line with the demands of tomorrow. ◊
HYBRID DAC/
AOC AND
FIELD CODING
SYSTEMS COULD
BE THE KEY TO
DATA CENTRE
MANAGERS
IMPROVING THE
EFFICIENCY
OF THEIR
NETWORKS.
46 Issue 19
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