HP 1606 DATA CENTER Best Practices Guide: High Density Cable Management Soluti - Page 5

DATA CENTER BEST PRACTICES GUIDE As an industry leader and innovator in high availability SAN solutions, Brocade developed a space efficient version of the standard Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP+) media that enables high density port configurations as well as improved serviceability (Figure 2). These new "mini" SFPs (mSFP) retain all of the performance and functionality of the standard SFP+ and include individual port isolation for improved serviceability and availability. The FC8-64 port blade utilizes mSFPs rather than standard SFPs. Figure 2. Mini SFP (mSFP) for use in the Brocade FC8-64 FC port blade The following table provides an overview of standard SFPs versus mSFPs. Specification SFP+ mSFP Speed Grade Same (2/4/8Gb) Same (2/4/8Gb) Operating Distance Same Same Availability of SWL Transceivers Yes Yes Availability of LWL Transceivers Yes No Regulatory Compliance Same Same Dimensions - Fiber pitch 6.25mm 5.25mm Dimensions - Width 13.55mm 11.40mm Dimensions - Depth Same (56.40mm ) Same (56.40mm ) LC patch cords Any LC patch cord mSFP patch cords provided by major cable vendors Supplier Brocade Brocade The mSFP fiber pitch and width are narrower than standard SFPs, resulting in the need for newer OM-3 fiber cables with narrower LC connectors. Due to these changes, the standard LC connector was modified by major cable vendors to accommodate the new fiber pitch and width. Refer to "Appendix B: Equipment List" for cable manufacturer and part number details. The new cables (Figure 3) provide the same flexibility in connectivity as standard LC cables: • mSFP-LC cable: Provides the FC8-64 port blade with the ability to connect to other port blades, switches, devices, and LC patch panels. • mSFP-mSFP cable: Allows one FC8-64 port blade to connect to another FC8-64 port blade as ISLs. • mSFP-MPO cable: Allows a trunked MPO cable to connect to multiple mSFP ports. Currently, six mSFP connectors are supported in one trunk cable. Brocade DCX Cable Management 5 of 23