The growing use of virtualization in data centers has addressed the need for 10G Ethernet as a way to reduce the complexities when using the existing 1G Ethernet infrastructures. Moving to 10G Ethernet has a number of choice from 10GbE interfaces including CX4, 10G SFP+, SFP+ direct attach copper (10G SFP+ Cu) and 10GBASE-T. However, 10GBASE-T is perceived as a more cost-effective solution for broad deployments. The 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver offers the potential to deliver power saving connectivity by utilizing Cat 6a/7 cable infrastructure with pay-as-you-grow flexibility.

10GBASE-T Standard

10GBASE-T, also known as IEEE 802.3an, is the Ethernet standard released in 2006 to provide 10Gbps connections over unshielded or shielded twisted pair cables (Cat6/Cat7) over distances up to 100 meters (330 ft). 10GBASE-T is the fourth generation of IEEE standardized BASE-T technologies which all use RJ45 connectors and unshielded twisted pair cabling to provide 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1Gbps and 10Gbps data transmission, while being backward-compatible with prior generations.

10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper Transceiver - RJ45 Connector

Last year, HPE and other vendors launched a 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver, giving the equipment designers and data center professionals a new option in deploying their network solutions. The 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver is specifically designed for high speed communication links that require 10 Gigabit Ethernet over Cat 6a/7 cable with a link limit of 30 m. It is the first SFP+ transceiver that offers 10Gb/s communication over RJ45 copper cables. And this latest generation of 10GBASE-T interfaces reduces the average watt per Gigabit to less than that of GbE connections. The power consumption of SFP+ 10GBASE-T copper module is 2.5 watts, which is far less than the SFP+ DAC cable (nearly 4-8 watts). These power savings can add-up in ToR, mid-row and end-of-row switch connectivity. So the 10GBASE-T transceiver is a power optimized solution for lengths up to 30m to optimize capital expense and reduce recurring operational expense.

10GBASE-T VS. SFP+

10GBASE-T SFP+, SFP+ DAC, and SFP+ optical transceiver are the most commonly used types in the 10G network. When migrating data center from 1G to 10G, many people are confused how to make choice: 10GBASE-T or SFP+. SFP+ optics including SFP+ fiber optical transceivers and SFP+ direct attach copper (DAC) cables, dominates the 10Gbps connectivity solution in the core or spine due to the longer link lengths and higher aggregated data bandwidth. However, SFP+ 10GBASE-T module uses the Cat6a cables for a link length of 30 m over RJ45 connectors, which is proven to be unbeaten for its lower cost, ease of installation and reliable performance for 10Gbps edge network.

Note:

• Top of Rack: Intra-cabinet connectivity from servers to ToR switches
• Middle of Row (MoR): Intra-cabinet connectivity from servers to MoR switches
• End of Row (EoR): Inter-cabinet connectivity from servers to EoR switches
• DA/HDA/MDA: Intermediate, Horizontal and Main distribution areas as outlined in TIA 942-A
• MD/ZD/EO: Main Distributor, zone distributor and Equipment Outlets as outlined in ISO 24764
• Core network: Backbone

Each option has its advantages, but 10GBase-T’s compatibility with existing structured cabling devices and existing low-speed devices makes it uniquely suited for widespread deployment from Gigabit Ethernet to 10G Ethernet. And the copper SFP+ bridges the gap in the market between 7m direct-attach cables (DACs) and short-haul 10GBASE-SR SFP+ optics. They are ideally suited for data center applications, where 10G copper spans exceeding 10m are becoming more prevalent. This is particularly evident in leaf-to-spine links. So when faced with choosing between SFP+ and 10GBASE-T, 10GBASE-T should be considered if cost, flexibility and scalability are critical. Today, 10GBase-T SFP+ transceiver is becoming more and more popular in network switches and servers because of its lower cost and higher ease of use.

Benefits of 10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper Transceiver

• Cost-effective twisted pair copper cabling, the lowest cost 10GbE Ethernet deployment
• Auto-negotiable backward-compatibility with previous-generation BASE-T networks for a seamless migration to 10GbE
• Field twisted pair cabling with familiar RJ-45 connector
• Based on previous generations of basic knowledge and training of existing expertise
• Cable (Cat6a/Cat7) length of up to 100 meters, enough to support almost all data center topology
• Extend support for aggregated environments

The Future of 10GBASE-T

Broad deployment on 10GBASE-T will simplify data center infrastructures, making it easier to manage server and storage connectivity while delivering the bandwidth needed for heavily virtualized servers and I/O-intensive applications. Third generation advancements in 10GBASE-T PHYs have significantly lowered the cost per port and the power consumption for 10GbE. These factors and key 10GBASE-T features, including backwards-compatibility with GbE infrastructures and distance flexibility, will help drive 10GBASE-T to a prominent place in the data center.

Conclusion

Compared with fiber and SFP+ DAC, using 10GBASE-T SFP+ is an effective 10G connectivity solution that reduces capital and operational costs while improving reliability and performance. If you need longer transmission distances more than 100meter, then fiber SFP+ transceiver is the most appropriate. Regardless of the solution you use, it is important to remember that high-quality cabling from reputable vendors will help ensure performance and reliability. 

Wireless networks have come a long way in the past couple of decades. And yet, sustained Wi-Fi speeds are still a vexing problem in a lot of situations. If you are looking for a solid way to increase the efficiency and productivity of your business in terms of Wi-Fi access, a wireless access point should be strongly considered. Do you really know how to choose a suitable wireless access point? And what’s the difference between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz? Let’s take a look at the wireless access point.

Wireless Access Point - Fast Seamless Connectivity

Wireless access point (AP) is a networking device that allow wireless Wi-Fi devices to connect to a wired network in result of forming a wireless local area network (WLAN). An access point acts as a central transmitter and receiver of wireless radio signals. Wireless APs are most commonly used in homes to support public Internet hot spots, or in business networks to accommodate the proliferation of wireless mobile devices now in use. So these versatile wireless APs offer a fast seamless connectivity when you moving around a building.

Wireless Access Point VS. Wireless Router

A standalone wireless access point closely resembles wireless router. The wireless routers have built-in access points which give them wireless ability. They can work with the wireless APs and switches by running an Ethernet cable for wireless connectivity. So wireless routers are mostly used to give network capability to many computers and devices simultaneously for home networking. It is often said that a router can be a access point but a access point can’t be a router. So why do more and more people buy wireless APs? Wireless routers are common place in any network today, but there are often weak WiFi signals or dead spots in any network. A wireless access point can be added in locations that have bad wireless network ability, which helps to extend a wireless network and give a good converge. In a word, if you want to build more reliable wireless network, you may need a wireless access point.

2.4 GHz VS. 5 GHz

2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are different wireless signaling frequencies. These parameters are advertised prominently on the product packaging, but you really know what are their meaning. Basically, you need to recognize that 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi will support up to 450 Mbps or 600 Mbps, and 5 GHz Wi-Fi will support up to 1300 Mbps. Are 5 GHz really better than 2.4 GHz because of its higher frequency signals?

In fact, higher frequency networks are not necessarily superior to lower frequency ones. Each one has its own advantages for Wi-Fi networking. The 2.4 GHz provides coverage at a longer range but transmits data at slower speeds, while 5 GHz provides less coverage but transmits data at faster speeds. It is the reason that the higher frequencies cannot penetrate solid objects, such as walls and floors. Many WiFi-enabled household devices use the 2.4 GHz band, including microwaves, garage door openers, old cordless phones, baby monitors, etc. When multiple devices attempt to use the same radio space, the 5 GHz band should be considered. The 5 GHz band tends to have less overcrowding than the 2.4GHz band, because it has 23 channels for devices to use while the 2.4GHz band has only 11 channels. A good news is that most modern Wi-Fi devices can support dual band, that is to say one can broadcasts both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal from the same unit, essentially providing you with two Wi-Fi networks and the best of both worlds.

How to Choose a Suitable Wireless Access Point: 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz or Dual Band?

Assuming the electric power to the higher frequency radios is maintained at a higher level, 5 GHz network can carry more data than a 2.4 GHz network. With the last 802.11n and 802.11ac router technology, 5 GHz radios support significantly higher maximum data rates. Home devices can run fastest over 5 GHz links, which can generate the largest amount of network traffic, like video streaming units or game consoles. If you’re experiencing dropped connections or if you need more speed for watching videos or playing games, then you probably need to move to 5 GHz.

The higher the frequency of a wireless signal, the shorter its range 2.4 GHz wireless networks therefore cover a substantially larger range than 5 GHz networks. Many older Wi-Fi devices do not contain 5 GHz radios and must be connected to 2.4 GHz channels in any case. At this time, 2.4 GHz is the best strategy, which can save money at the same time. Because 5 GHz are comparatively new and usually incorporates 2.4 GHz radios, it generally costs more than 2.4 GHz.

If you’re already using a dual band - both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands available, you’ll have to make some decisions on which one to connect your devices. It’s tempting to just go ahead and use 5 GHz Wi-Fi for any device that supports it and use 2.4 GHz for the rest. The best way is that providing 2.4 GHz support for compatibility with older devices, and 5 GHz support for newer devices.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article will give you the information to make a decision which type of wireless access point is the best for you. A lot of versatile wireless solutions offer single band and dual band operation and fast Ethernet for high performance networking. The wireless APs feature integrated PoE, and they can be operated as the fit one to be used with a centralized controllers or work independently. AP software is based on the OpenWRT program and updated through U-BOOT technology. When a new version comes out, you can refresh the firmware on the original basis. The AP doesn’t support multiple VLANs but you can use AC to configurate one VLAN.