Media conversion can help IT managers overcome cabling decision challenges

For a long time, the data center network was built almost entirely with copper cabling systems, perhaps with a fiber backbone that supported bandwidth. Regardless of the back​haul network, copper has been king in the data center for quite a while. But if copper is king it has an insurrection on its hands. The rise of cloud computing, virtualization, big data and other emerging technologies is creating an environment in which bandwidth needs are rising and traditional network solutions can't always get the job done. Suddenly, copper has competition for its crown.

Considering copper in the data center
It is important to recognize that copper-based Ethernet systems are nowhere close to being irrelevant in the data center. They are just as important as ever and advanced copper solutions, such as Category 8 cables are being developed to meet future demand. The problem is that copper is just keeping up with network developments. Pretty soon, the limitations of the media type, particularly its tendency to leak electromagnetic current, will catch up to copper. Chances are that it will take a long time for this to happen in most parts of the data center. For example, a vision for fiber-optic patch cables connecting servers to patch panels is probably not realistic in the near future.

While fiber is still a long way from being needed in many parts of the data center, it is becoming more important in more parts of the data center.

Looking at fiber's potential
Fiber-optic cabling systems are, for all intents, essential as back​haul in the contemporary data center. However, optical networking is increasingly important at key strategic points in facilities. For example, storage networks are busier than ever as businesses get more social and databases become more relevant in application functionality. This means that storage environments function at high speeds. Sometimes, the network links that gets data from storage to application systems just can't keep up. Optical cabling in this area is not only a possible solution to the problem, it is also a viable one.

Media converters have become a cost-effective and accessible technology for data center managers. This enables them to pick and choose between fiber and copper to get the best price-to-performance ratio in the data center, enabling better performance. As a result, fiber to Ethernet media conversion tools are playing an increasingly important role in giving data center managers the tools they need to meet ongoing network demands and make the best possible cabling decisions.