Top-of-rack switching has become the norm in data centers. What does that mean for data center connectivity solutions?   With the advent of top-of-rack (ToR) switching and SFP+ direct-attach copper cables, more data centers are able to quickly implement cost-effective 10G-and-beyond connections. ToR designs originally popped up because data center managers ran out of roomRead More

One solution to the signal integrity and reach issues in copper cabling is the use of active copper cable assemblies. Bob Hult takes a look at today’s technology and where it could lead the industry.   The long predicted demise of high-speed copper cables continues to be delayed/frustrated by continuing improvements in the technology of data transmission.Read More

Ensure optimal performance in demanding environments with these tips on how to specify industrial fiber optic cable from Kyle Mrkva of Belden.   Fiber optic cabling is applicable in any industrial environment where high-speed, high-bandwidth data solutions are needed. It can be used for campus and in-building data backbones to anchor an operation’s Ethernet, andRead More

Bishop & Associates examined the revenues of 11 companies and found the telecom/datacom cable assembly market 2014 sales racked up growth.   Bishop tracks 11 companies in the telecom/datacom market sector. This market has shown four quarters of year-over-year growth, as measured by these 11 companies’ revenues. In 2013, these companies grew 0.1% year overRead More

Commonly overlooked when making a fusion splicer purchase, fiber optic cleavers are crucial tools that ensure perfectly smooth fiber ends. Sumitomo Electric Lightwave offers tips on how to choose fiber optic cleavers.   The fiber cleaver is a tool commonly overlooked when making a fusion splicer purchase. Just ask any technician who has worked the lateRead More

The assumption that hardwiring will minimize wire installation costs is wrong. Here, Lapp Group explains how connectors lower wiring costs. If you design or build industrial machines, you probably know all about hardwiring. It remains the most common way to bring power and signal to the machine because it offers a perceived savings in installationRead More

Recently we spoke with Ward Williams, chief commercial officer at ProLabs, to learn more about the compatible product market.   Q: What are compatible network products? A: Compatible products can include transceivers, direct-attach cables (DAC), active optical cables (AOC), and media converters, among others. Compatibles are designed to work with all manufacturers’ equipment and can beRead More

The Phoenix Contact push-pull Advance data connectors are Variant 14 data connectors suitable for harsh environments.  The new push-pull Advance data connectors from Phoenix Contact bring future-proof, high-speed cabling directly to the field. The push-pull connection technology complies with ODVA’s Variant 14. Designed for data rates of up to 10Gb/s, the connectors have IP65/67 protectionRead More

The Amphenol card|mate wiping connector offers the smallest possible form factor while standing up to 500,000 mating cycles. Amphenol’s card|mate-wiping connector offers extremely small dimensions of 57.0mm x 30.0mm x 5.0mm and a long lifetime of 500,000 mating cycles, which provides crucial product benefits in payment terminal applications. The contacts of the card|mate-wiping are all on theRead More

Pasternack 75-ohm test cables up to 3GHz are ultra-durable and offer excellent insertion and return loss. Pasternack released its newest line of 75-ohm test cables with operation up to 3GHz. These rugged cable assemblies are specially designed to withstand the rigors of test lab use and applications in 75-ohm communications systems. Technicians commonly rely on these high-frequencyRead More

The TE micro SFP+ connector and cable assembly slash PCB and faceplate space requirements, improve signal routing, and minimize EMI. TE Connectivity announced its new micro SFP+ connector and cable assembly, which slashes space requirements on faceplates and printed circuit boards (PCBs) in telecommunications, data communications, networking, and medical diagnostic equipment. The new micro SFP+Read More

WAGO’s compact terminal block with easy wire release, just 2.7mm high, eliminates on-board LED shadowing. WAGO introduced the extremely compact 2059 Series PCB terminal blocks to virtually eliminate on-board LED shadowing. With a 2.7mm high, bright white profile, the 2059 is the ideal connector for compact, miniaturized LED modules and bulbs. Benefits include: PUSHWIRE connection offeringRead More