switch everglow

The Benefits of Bespoke Fibre Patch Cords on your Network

Fibre Technologies Limited (FTL) have provided bespoke fibre builds to our clients for over 30 years. The use of bespoke/ custom fibre builds on our clients networks offer a multitude of benefits, particularly in terms of performance, customisation and reliability. Some of these key advantages are:

  1. Enhanced Performance
  2. Optimised lengths: Custom lengths reduce excess cabling, which minimizes signal loss and ensure optical performance.
  3. Improved Signal Quality: High quality connectors and precise termination processes can lead to better signal integrity and lower insertion loss.

Customisation

  • Tailored Specifications: Bespoke cords can be designed to meet specific technical requirements, including exact lengths, connector and fibre types.
  • Special Coatings and Jackets: Customisation allows for special coatings and jacketing materials that match the environmental needs, such as CPR ratings, armoured or water resistant cables.

Reduced Downtime

  • Exact Fit: With custom lengths, there’s no need for excessive coiling or stretching of cables, reducing wear and tear and the risk of cable damage.
  • Labelling and Colour Coding: Custom labelling and colour coding make it easier to identify and manage cables, reducing the time needed for maintenance and troubleshooting.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

  • Prepared for Expansions: Bespoke solutions can account for future network expansions ensuring that additional fibres and ports can be easily integrated without major overhauls.
  • Compatibility with Network Changes: Custom patch cords can be designed to accommodate changes in network architecture, such as upgrades from copper to fibre or shifts to higher bandwidths.

Aesthetic and Organisational Benefits

  • Cleaner Installations: Exact cable lengths and proper management contribute to tidier and more organised cabling infrastructure.
  • Reduced Clutter: By eliminating unnecessary excess cabling, bespoke patch cords help reduce clutter in networking environments, which can enhance airflow and cooling efficiency.

Cost Effectiveness

  • Minimised Waste: Custom lengths mean less waste from unused cable, potentially lowering overall costs.
  • Longevity: Higher quality materials and precise manufacturing processes can extend the lifespan of cables, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Compliance and Standards

  • Adherence to Standards: Bespoke fibre patch cords can be manufactured to meet specific industry standards and certifications, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and performance benchmarks.
  • Application Specific Solutions: Tailored solutions can be designed to meet specific application needs, such as in data centres, telecommunications or industrial environments, ensuring optical performance in each unique scenario.

Some examples of our bespoke solutions include:

  • Patch cords with short boot connectors for dense telephone exchange environments
  • Specific length simplex patch cords used in the production of optical products
  • Bespoke colouring for easy network identification in a secure multiple network environment
  • Bespoke looms with patch cords pre-loaded in flexible conduit
  • Bespoke pre-term cables with fan out, straight or staggered tail lengths
  • Tactical fibre used for deployment in harsh environments
  • Patch cords utilising CS connectors providing space savings of ~40% over LC and other optical connectors

Overall, the use of bespoke fibre patch cords provide a high degree of customisation and quality, leading to enhanced network performance, reliability and efficiency. As a valuable investment for networks requiring precise specifications and superior performance, ultimately contributing to a more robust and scalable networking infrastructure.

Ready to Elevate Your Network?

Enhance your network’s performance, reliability, and efficiency with our bespoke fibre patch cords tailored to your exact needs. Experience the benefits of optimised lengths, superior signal quality and customised solutions designed to meet your specific requirements.

Contact us today to discover how our custom fibre patch cords can transform your network infrastructure and future proof your operations.

Get started now and take the first step towards a more powerful and efficient network!

ctc

The Benefits of CTC Union Industrial Media Convertors

In the ever-evolving landscape of industrial networking, ensuring seamless and reliable communication is paramount. One critical component that significantly enhances network efficiency and robustness is the industrial media converter. CTC Union, a leading provider in the field, offers industrial media converters that stand out due to their exceptional performance, durability, and versatility. Here’s a closer look at the benefits of using CTC Union industrial media converters in your network.

1. Superior Performance and Reliability

CTC Union’s industrial media converters are designed to deliver outstanding performance, even in the most demanding environments. They provide seamless conversion between different media types, such as copper to fibre, ensuring reliable and stable data transmission over long distances. Key performance benefits include:

  • High Data Rates: Support for high-speed data rates ensures that your network can handle large volumes of data without bottlenecks.
  • Low Latency: Optimized for minimal latency, which is crucial for real-time applications and maintaining high performance.

2. Rugged and Durable Design

Industrial environments often present challenging conditions, including extreme temperatures, humidity, and exposure to dust and vibrations. CTC Union media converters are built to withstand these harsh conditions:

  • Wide Operating Temperature Range: They are designed to operate in a broad temperature range, ensuring functionality in extreme hot or cold environments.
  • Robust Enclosures: The rugged enclosures provide protection against physical impacts, dust, and moisture, ensuring long-term durability.

3. Versatile Connectivity Options

CTC Union offers a wide range of media converters that cater to various connectivity needs, making them suitable for diverse industrial applications:

  • Multiple Interface Options: Support for different interfaces, including Ethernet, serial, and TDM (Time-Division Multiplexing), provides flexibility in connecting different types of devices and networks.
  • Fibre and Copper Compatibility: Seamlessly convert between copper and fibre connections, extending the reach of your network and enhancing its scalability.

4. Enhanced Network Security

In industrial networks, security is a top priority. CTC Union’s media converters incorporate features that enhance network security:

  • VLAN Support: Virtual LAN support allows for segmentation of the network, enhancing security by isolating sensitive data.
  • Redundant Power Inputs: Dual power inputs ensure continuous operation and prevent downtime due to power failures, enhancing overall network reliability.

5. Easy Integration and Management

CTC Union media converters are designed with ease of integration and management in mind:

  • Plug-and-Play: Simple installation processes mean that the media converters can be deployed quickly without extensive configuration.
  • SNMP Management: Support for Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) allows for remote monitoring and management, making it easier to oversee and maintain the network infrastructure.

6. Cost-Effective Solutions

Investing in CTC Union industrial media converters can lead to significant cost savings:

  • Reduced Downtime: High reliability and robust design minimize downtime, reducing maintenance and repair costs.
  • Scalability: Versatile connectivity options mean that the network can be easily expanded without significant additional investment.

Conclusion

CTC Union industrial media converters offer a comprehensive solution for enhancing industrial network performance, reliability, and security. Their rugged design, versatile connectivity, and ease of integration make them an invaluable asset for any industrial network. Whether you’re looking to extend your network reach, improve data transmission quality, or ensure reliable performance in harsh conditions, CTC Union has the right media converter for you.

Ready to upgrade your industrial network? Contact us today to learn more about how CTC Union industrial media converters can transform your network infrastructure and deliver superior performance and reliability.

Get Started Now and experience the benefits of robust and versatile industrial networking solutions with CTC Union.

Loop Telecom

Loop Telecom Tele-protection Solutions: Enhance Your Network with the IP6704A-C37.94

In an age where the stability and reliability of power systems are crucial, Loop Telecom offers top-tier tele-protection solutions that ensure rapid fault detection and isolation. The Loop Telecom IP6704A-C37.94 stands out as an industry-leading device designed to safeguard your electrical infrastructure with precision and efficiency.

Why Choose Loop Telecom’s IP6704A-C37.94 Tele-protection Solution?

The IP6704A-C37.94 from Loop Telecom is built to deliver exceptional performance and reliability, making it the ideal choice for a variety of critical applications. Its advanced features and capabilities ensure that your power systems remain secure and operational, even in the most challenging environments.

Key Features and Capabilities

  1. High-Speed Protection: The IP6704A-C37.94 is engineered to detect and isolate faults within milliseconds, minimizing downtime and preventing damage to your infrastructure.
  2. Compatibility with C37.94 Standard: Full compliance with the C37.94 standard ensures seamless integration with existing protection relays and communication equipment.
  3. Versatile Connectivity: Supports a wide range of communication protocols, including Ethernet and IP, allowing for flexible deployment across different network architectures.
  4. Redundant Design: Features redundant power supplies and communication paths to enhance system reliability and ensure continuous operation.
  5. Comprehensive Monitoring: Equipped with advanced diagnostic and monitoring tools for real-time system analysis and proactive maintenance.
  6. Robust Security: Incorporates robust security measures to protect against cyber threats and unauthorized access, safeguarding your critical data and communications.

Specific Part Numbers and Their Applications

1. IP6704A-C37.94 Tele-protection Device

  • Application: Ideal for high-speed tele-protection in utility and industrial environments.
  • Features:
    • Supports up to 4 tele-protection channels
    • Complies with C37.94 communication standard
    • Dual Ethernet ports for network redundancy
    • Extensive protocol support including IEC 61850, DNP3, and Modbus
    • GPS and IEEE 1588v2 synchronization options
  • Part Number: IP6704A-C37.94

2. IP6704A-C37.94-OPT Optical Interface Module

  • Application: Designed for long-distance tele-protection over optical networks.
  • Features:
    • High-speed fibre optic communication
    • Low latency for critical protection signals
    • Supports up to 4 optical tele-protection channels
    • Suitable for harsh environmental conditions
  • Part Number: IP6704A-C37.94-OPT

Applications of the IP6704A-C37.94

  • Power Utilities: Ensuring rapid fault isolation to maintain grid stability and prevent widespread outages.
  • Industrial Facilities: Protecting sensitive equipment and infrastructure from electrical disturbances.
  • Renewable Energy Systems: Safeguarding solar farms, wind farms, and other renewable energy sources from electrical faults.
  • Transportation Networks: Maintaining reliable power supply for railways, metros, and other critical transportation systems.
  • Oil and Gas Sector: Enhancing the safety and reliability of power systems in remote and hazardous environments.

Contact Fibre Technologies Ltd for Your Tele-protection Needs

Fibre Technologies Ltd is your trusted partner for Loop Telecom’s tele-protection solutions. Our team of experts is ready to help you select the right products and provide the support you need to secure your power systems.

Get in Touch with Us Today!

Invest in the IP6704A-C37.94 tele-protection solution from Loop Telecom and experience unparalleled protection for your network. Contact Fibre Technologies Ltd now to learn more about our products, request a quote, or schedule a consultation with our experts. Protect your infrastructure with the best in tele-protection technology – your network’s safety is our priority!

Modernisation of Telco services using the Loop Telecom G7860A

Historically Telco services have been built on SDH/PDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy/Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy) circuits, which offered high levels of reliability and service assurance.

Whilst this technology has been in decline for many years due to many factors there are still numerous examples of circuits based on E1 and/or STM-1 protocols in use today, typically carried over microwave links, that need to be either fully replaced or modernised. Fibre Technologies and Loop Telecom can assist in the migration from Legacy SDH/PDH to current technologies and allow migration to newer equipment with a solution based on the Loop G7860A.

A recent case study involved a service provider that needed to replace an existing directional radio network.

The Legacy Network.

The successor solution needed to fulfill the following requirements:-

  • Transport for grooming E1, STM-1, and IP services
  • Clock synchronization for remote nodes
  • In-band remote management
  • Centralized service provision and supervision

The Modernised Network.

The G7860A-based solution replaced microwave links with fibre for E1 and IP service transmission with aggregation at each node and SyncE for external synchronization.

Key Features.

  • All-Packet based access nodes for transporting PDH, SDH/SONET, Ethernet services using both Pseudo Wire and Carrier Ethernet
  • L3 Routing Functionalities
  • Up to 81Gbps switching capacity
  • Support for E1/T1 and STM-1/4 circuits
  • Supports SyncE
  • Carrier class protection (Protection switching time <50ms)
  • End to end OAM
  • Integrated TDM BERT and loopback functionalities
  • Fully manageable via SNMP and CLI
  • For more details please contact –
  • sales@fibre.co.uk          
  • Tel – 00 44 (0)1344 75 22 22
RajantLogoBlueOnBlkSmall

Rajant Introduces Distributed Edge AI Platform AT CES

Platform-as-a-Service Streamlines Delivery and Management of Edge AI Applications 

Malvern, PA – January 8, 2024: Rajant Corporation, the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh® wireless networks, along with Rajant Health Incorporated (RHI), a division of Rajant that is developing cutting-edge technology to provide health insights on-demand, will unveil its new edge AI platform during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Venetian Meeting Center in Room Zeno 4610 on January 9th – 12th. Known as the Cowbell, the edge AI platform is a distributed computing hub and platform-as-a-service to streamline and simplify the delivery and management of AI applications at the edge. 

According to Muthu Chandrasekaran, Ph.D. RHI VP of Artificial Intelligence, “There has been explosive growth in the number of connected devices in recent years, and without edge computing, the amount of data generated from these devices would severely overwhelm and adversely impact most of today’s enterprise networks. Furthermore, the inflated costs and latencies introduced by the cloud render cloud-hosted AI-based low-latency decision support systems almost impossible, not to mention that the productization of AI and its maintenance is very difficult and complex. The Cowbell platform simplifies this complex problem by providing software, hardware, and networking infrastructure necessary to bring distributed cloud native computing to the edge with what we’re calling MLOps-in-a-Box. By leveraging Rajant’s patented InstaMesh® networking technology, the Cowbell platform facilitates a secure, fault-tolerant, highly available distributed computing cluster over mesh, the first of its kind. Scaling the cluster is automatic when additional Cowbells are added to the deployment.” 

Those visiting Rajant at CES will also be introduced to Q-Stat, a cutting-edge wearable device created to transform your work experience. The Q-stat’s flexible design strategy allows for all types of different packaging, intended to serve various markets, from people to animals. Packed with advanced sensors, including skin temperature, O2, pulse rate and EKG, along with integrated Wi-Fi and BLE in a sleek, compact design, the Q-stat offers a seamless and enriching experience that caters to your safety and wellness needs. 

Rajant Health EVP Giana Schena, Ph.D. shares, “RHI will offer demonstrations of Trovomics, a user-friendly platform designed to provide a fast, no-code solution for omics analysis, empowering researchers to easily and quickly turn their sequencing data into stunning, interactive visualizations. Trovomics has received outstanding feedback and results from academic researchers in biomedical science since its debut, and we are thrilled to bring the platform to CES to show individual users the power to investigate their own data.”

Robert Schena, CEO of Rajant and RHI, states, “What we have accomplished here is an ecosystem that includes the enterprise Edge (Cowbell), personal Edge (Q-Stat), and analytics (Trovomics). This ecosystem is called Angelverse™ because we at Rajant believe that people should own and control their own data locally, choosing where, when, and who they wish to share it with. This ecosystem fully integrates Rajant’s industry-leading Kinetic Mesh and the Reios IoT suite of solutions offered by Rajant Italia SRL.”

Rajant EVP of Sales and Marketing Geoff Smith adds, “The Cowbell and Q-Stat unveiled at CES will be featured as fully integrated solutions with the Rajant Kinetic Mesh family of wireless networking BreadCrumb® solutions and Kinetic Mesh-enabled Reios IoT platform, which provides comprehensive automated operational intelligence anywhere, which is fast and easy to deploy. Reios brings intelligent insights to all facets of an operation through various devices that support the platform’s different applications – Smart Lighting, sTrack, IoT BMS, sDesk, and Smart Picking. 

More on Cowbell:

Housed in a rugged industrial-grade IP-rated enclosure, the Cowbell is a versatile platform perfect for indoor and outdoor use. It constitutes a powerful multi-core CPU and GPU with a plethora of wired (Serial, Ethernet) and wireless (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LoRa, Rajant Kinetic Mesh) connectivity interfaces and high-speed storage enabling ingestion, hardware-accelerated processing, and network-resilient transfer of multi-modal data from disparate sensors and peripherals. Applications deployed on the Cowbell can leverage the platform’s microservices-based software architecture and foundational services to serve custom machine learning models and facilitate dynamically configurable data pipelines. This state-of-the-art solution provides all the necessary data APIs to bring customers’ own (containerized or non-containerized) applications into the platform. It automates their deployment and orchestration to ensure availability. Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh ensures secure network transport and complete network isolation when needed. The Cowbell offers an integrated centralized cluster and applications management plane with a simple user interface, providing a seamless cluster provisioning, management, and application deployment experience. Secure remote access is enabled by a lightweight zero-trust VPN solution. Take advantage of the application-level logs, cluster- and node-level resource consumption metrics, and other dashboards for full observability of the health of the cluster and applications.

image 1

What is “Fibre” Broadband? UK ISPs Respond to Ofcom’s Call for Clarity

A few months ago Ofcom launched a new consultation that proposed to only allow broadband ISPs to use the terms “fibre” and “full-fibre” on their sites and in contracts “if their network uses fibre-optic cables all the way from the exchange to the home” (FTTP). But feedback suggests that the biggest providers are not supportive.

Over the years’ there have been various attempts to correct this, such as a review conducted by the ASA / Advertising Standards Authority (here) and a failed court challenge by CityFibre (here). Back in 2021 the Gigabit Take-Up Advisory Group (GigaTAG) also proposed several changes (here), including clearer labelling of broadband packages, but so far nothing has really succeeded.

The Regulator Takes a Stand

Back in May 2023 (here) the regulator, Ofcom, pointed out that pure Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) lines were due to become the dominant broadband delivery technology in the UK, and thus they felt it was finally time to address how the term “fibre” was still being “used inconsistently” by internet providers. The biggest ISPs, with a legacy of FTTC/HFC style solutions, have historically been the worst offenders on this front.

The regulator isn’t due to publish the outcome of this consultation until sometime in the coming Autumn, but they have recently published a summary of the responses they’ve had from various ISPs (credits to GreenLantern22 on our forum for spotting), which makes for interestingly reading.

Overall, the alternative networks (e.g. CityFibre, CommunityFibre, Gigaclear, Fern Group, Ogi and toob), most of which are building FTTP, were almost universally in favour of Ofcom’s proposals. The exception was Hyperoptic, which agreed with Ofcom’s push, but they also wanted it extended to include Fibre-to-the-Basement (FTTB) connections (they’ve built a lot of those) because, they said, such connections deliver “comparable services” (there’s usually only a little bit of Ethernet/LAN style cable involved); it will be interesting to see which way Ofcom goes on that one.

The debate over what should and should not be considered a “fibre” service has been going on for well over a decade. Hopefully by now most people should already know that fibre optic cables are made of glass (silica) or plastic, which allow information to be transmitted in the form of laser light. This makes them significantly more capable (speed, reliability etc.) than traditional metal (copper, aluminium etc.) based cables, which transmit data using electrical signs and are more prone to significant signal degradation over distance.

Despite this unavoidable fact, numerous ISPs have spent over a decade selling slower “part-fibre” or “hybrid-fibre” (e.g. FTTC / VDSL2, G.fast, Hybrid Fibre Coax) solutions as “fibre broadband” products, which is one of the reasons why so many people continue to be confused about the terminology today (i.e. if you think you’ve got a “fibre” service already, then you may be less likely to contemplate an upgrade to true FTTP).

Read the full story here.

image

Infinera and LightRiver Successfully Demonstrate Multi-Vendor Interoperability Technology

Infinera and LightRiver have announced the successful completion of a multi-vendor interoperability technology demonstration. According to the joint statement, this collaboration showcases the capabilities of their respective solutions, focusing on coherent pluggable solutions, network orchestration, and automation.

Technology Demonstration

The demonstration involved Infinera, a company known for its intelligent coherent pluggable technology (ICE-X), and LightRiver, a provider of netFLEX Transport Domain Orchestration and Control Software.

The demonstration highlighted the successful integration of Infinera’s ICE-X coherent pluggable technology with LightRiver’s netFLEX software, showing how these technologies can work seamlessly together.

The demonstration includes Infinera’s ICE-X line of intelligent coherent pluggables deployed in third-party host devices, including routers from Juniper Networks operating over a Smartoptics open ROADM system and the leading FTTX PON solution, said the official release.

Network Efficiency

The main focus was on how network orchestration, combined with intelligent coherent pluggable solutions, can significantly enhance network efficiency. This includes improvements in operation, management, and capacity expansion.

The demonstration illustrated the ability of Infinera’s Intelligent Pluggables Manager (IPM) software to enable multi-vendor network automation. This allows different vendor solutions to work together harmoniously, potentially reducing operational complexities.

Read the full story here.

Screenshot from 2023 09 14 12 41 22

Full fibre now covers 52% of UK

UK Regulator Ofcom has released its Summer 2023 Study, based on mobile coverage and fixed broadband availability in the UK, as of April and May this year 

According to the ‘Connected Nations’ report, “Full fibre” (FTTP) now reaches 52% of the UK, equalling 15.4 million households. This is up from 48% in January this year. The report notes that this growth has been predominately driven by deployments from larger fibre operators, but has been supported by a number of smaller altnets, serving individual regions and communities. 

However, the UK’s coverage of fixed “superfast broadband”, remains unchanged at 97%, but Northern Ireland saw an increase of 1%, up to 97%. The 3% unable to access this are likely to be in hard-to-reach areas. The study found that the ‘vast majority’ of the UK can access what is described as ‘decent broadband’, meaning download speeds of at least 10 Megabits per second (Mbit/s) and upload speeds of 1 Mbit/s. 

Gigabit-capable broadband availability has reached 75% of homes, or 22.4 million, up from 21.9 million (73%) in January this year, when their last report was published. 

Regarding mobile coverage, there were no notable increases since the January report, however coverage remains stable, with 93% of the UK predicted to have good outdoor 4G coverage from one operator at least.  

5G coverage continues to expand, with 85% of premises able to access outdoor 5G coverage. 

The usage of 3G continues to decline, with its switch off already underway. Virgin Media O2 confirmed this week that its 3G switch off will begin in 2025, becoming the final major UK operator to do so. 

Read the full story here.

community fibre broadband hits one million connections

Community Fibre Broadband Reaches One Million Connections in London

UK-based full fibre broadband provider, Community Fibre, has announced that more than 1 million residential properties in London are now connected to its fibre broadband services. According to the official release, the company reported a 75 percent expansion of its network footprint in the last 12 months.

Symmetrical Broadband Packages

The Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers a range of symmetrical broadband packages, ranging from 150 Mbps to 3 Gbps. According to the company, these packages are up to 45.9 times faster than the UK’s average download speed and 193.5 times faster than the average upload speed.

Also Read: Virgin Media O2 Expands Broadband Services With XGS-PON Technology Across UK

Connecting London Businesses

Community Fibre said its network expansion also benefits businesses, with over 212,000 London-based enterprises now within 100 meters of its network footprint. These businesses can take advantage of up to 10 Gbps symmetrical speeds for their operations and growth.

Community Fibre expressed pride in the company’s role in providing faster, cheaper, and more reliable fibre broadband to over one million London properties.

The Internet Service Provider (ISP), owned by funds advised by Warburg Pincus LLC, DTCP, Railpen, and NDIF, also emphasized its commitment to offerings, such as setting new out-of-contract pricing standards capped at Euros 2 across all packages and providing easy access to the social tariff without requiring consumers to provide proof of eligibility criteria.

Read the full story here.

Adtran Logo Blue 72dpi

Adtran CEO: ‘We of course expect to be BEAD-compliant’

Adtran is the latest telecom equipment company to announce that it’s ramping up domestic manufacturing in order to meet “Buy America” rules for the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

The company on Wednesday said it will invest up to $5 million in its Hunstville, Alabama, facility, creating 300 jobs. The investment will allow Adtran to expand its US production of optical line termination (OLT) equipment and onshore the manufacturing of optical network terminals (ONTs).

“We of course expect to be BEAD-compliant,” Adtran CEO Tom Stanton said at an event hosted at the company’s 270,000-square-foot facility in Huntsville.

Adtran further said it will work to engage new hires by partnering with local schools for its high school apprenticeship program and developing a co-op program for college students.

The announcement from Adtran follows this month’s news that Nokia will partner with Sanmina Corporation to manufacture broadband network electronics products for BEAD at Sanmina’s facility in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, starting next year.

Additionally today, Nokia announced its partnership with optical supplier Fabrinet to domestically produce fiber broadband optical modules for BEAD. Production will start next year at Fabrinet’s facility in Santa Clara, California, “and brings additional high-tech jobs to the country,” said the company.

Jobs and manufacturing

Speaking at Wednesday’s event at Adtran’s Huntsville facility, NTIA Chief Alan Davidson thanked the company for its investment and noted that BEAD is “not just a connectivity program. It is a jobs and manufacturing program.”

Read the full story here.

Blog Categories

Instagram

[instagram-feed num=6 cols=3 imagepadding=2.5]
Looking for Fibre Distribution? →