How to Choose the Right MPO/MTP Fiber Patch Cable?

Choosing the right MPO/MTP fiber patch cable is crucial for achieving efficient and reliable data transmission in today's high-demand digital environment. As the demand for high-speed connections continues to increase, understanding the importance of the fiber count in MPO/MTP fiber patch cables is essential. In this guide, we will explore the significance of fiber count and provide valuable insights to help you choose the right MPO/MTP fiber patch cable for your specific needs. Whether you are building a data center or upgrading existing network infrastructure, this article will serve as a comprehensive resource to help you select the correct MPO/MTP fiber patch cable.

 

 

What is an MPO/MTP Cable?

 

MPO (Multi-Fiber Push-On) and MTP (a registered trademark of US Conec) are commonly used types of high-density optical fiber cables widely applied in data centers and telecommunication networks. MPO and MTP cables are designed to provide a quick and efficient way to connect multiple fibers in a single connector. These cables feature plug-and-play characteristics, greatly simplifying installation and maintenance in data centers.

MPO vs MTP cable: MPO and MTP cables share many common attributes, which is why they are so popular. The key defining feature is that these cables come with pre-terminated fibers with standardized connectors. While other fiber cables must be meticulously arranged and installed at each node in the data center, these cables are essentially plug-and-play. This convenience, combined with the highest level of performance, makes them the preferred choice for many data center applications.

 

Types of MPO/MTP Cables

 

MPO/MTP cables mainly come in two types: MPO/MTP trunk fiber cables and MPO/MTP harness/breakout cables.

 

MPO/MTP Trunk Fiber Cables

 

MPO/MTP trunk fiber cables are typically used to create trunk and horizontal interconnections, with an MPO/MTP connector at each end. One cable can contain from 8 to 48 fibers.

MPO/MTP Harness/Breakout Cables

 

Harness/breakout cables are used to split an MPO/MTP connector into individual connectors for easy connection to devices. MPO/MTP conversion cables can convert between different connector types, such as MPO to LC or MPO to SC.

MPO/MTP cables also come in different configurations, such as 8-fiber, 12-fiber, 16-fiber, and 32-fiber, depending on the specific needs of the application. This flexibility in configuration allows users to tailor their choices based on the scale and performance requirements of their network or data center. As technology advances, the configurations of MPO/MTP cables continue to evolve to meet the growing demands for data transmission.

 

How to Choose MPO/MTP Cables

Choosing the right fiber count for MPO/MTP cables impacts the efficiency and performance of the entire network. In this section, we will delve into the factors influencing decisions about fiber count.

 

Network Requirements and Data Transmission Goals

 

Different network applications and data transmission needs may require varying numbers of fibers. High-density data centers may need more fibers to support large volumes of data transmission, while smaller networks may require fewer fibers.

 

Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure

 

Compatibility with existing infrastructure is crucial when selecting the fiber count for MPO/MTP cables. Ensuring that the new cables match the existing fiber equipment and connectors helps avoid unnecessary compatibility issues.

 

Consider Future Scalability

 

As businesses grow and technology advances, future network demands may increase. Choosing MPO/MTP cables with more fibers can facilitate future expansions and upgrades.

 

Budget and Resource Constraints

 

Budget and resources also play a role in the selection of fiber count. Cables with more fibers tend to be more expensive, while cables with fewer fibers may be more cost-effective. Therefore, it is essential to find a balance between actual needs and the available budget.

 

MPO/MTP Cabling Guide

 

40G MPO/MTP Cabling

 

12-fiber MPO/MTP connectors can accommodate 40G, typically used in 40G data centers. A typical implementation of an MPO/MTP plug-and-play system divides a 12-fiber trunk fiber cable into six channels, running up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (depending on the cable length). 40G systems use a 12-fiber trunk to create Tx/Rx links, dedicating 4 fibers for each 10G uplink transmission and 4 fibers for each 10G downlink reception.

 

40G-40G Connection

 

Using a 12-fiber MPO trunk cable to connect two 40G optical modules achieves a 40G to 40G connection between two switches. This connection method can also be applied to 100G to 100G connections.

 

40G Trunk Fiber Cabling

 

24-fiber MTP to MTP interconnect conversion harness cables are designed to provide a more flexible multi-fiber cabling system based on MTP products. Unlike MTP harness cables, MTP conversion cables have MTP connectors at both ends, offering more possibilities for existing 24-fiber cabling systems. 40/100G MTP conversion cables eliminate fiber waste in current 40G transmissions and upcoming 100G transmissions. Using MTP conversion cables is a more cost-effective and lower-loss option compared to purchasing and installing separate conversion boxes.

 

100G MPO/MTP Cabling

 

Using 4 fiber pairs, QSFP28 100G transceivers have a 12-fiber MPO port (with 4 unused fibers). Using SR4 transmission over multimode fiber is the most cost-effective for short distances (up to 100m). Using 8-fiber PSM4 transmission provides longer distances than single-mode transmission. By transmitting over 4 fiber pairs, an MPO-LC 8-fiber harness cable can connect multimode and single-mode transceivers at a 1:4 ratio. One 100G QSFP28 active optical cable can connect to four SFP28 25G optical modules.

 

100G SR4 Parallel BASE-8 on Multimode Fiber

 

100G active optical cable QSFP28 SR4 is usually directly connected within the switching area.

 

 

100G PMS4 Parallel BASE-8 on Single-Mode Fiber

 

100G QSFP28 active optical cable PMS4 is usually directly connected within the switching area.

 

200G to 200G Link

 

MPO fiber patch cable with 12 fibers connects 2x QSFP56-SR4-200G.

 

400G MPO/MTP Cabling

 

MPO/MTP cables with multi-fiber connectors are used for optical transceiver connections. 400G MPO/MTP cables have four different application scenarios. Common MPO fiber patch cables include 8-fiber, 12-fiber, and 16-fiber cables. Typically, 8-fiber or 12-fiber MPO/MTP single-mode patch cables are used to connect two 400G-DR4 optical modules directly. 16-fiber MPO cables can connect 400G-SR8 optical modules to 200G QSFP56 SR4 optical modules, or connect 400G-8x50G to 400G-4x100G optical modules. 8-fiber MPO to 4-fiber LC duplex patch cables are used to connect 400G-DR4 optical modules and 100G-DR optical modules.

 

800G MPO/MTP Cabling Guide

 

In higher-speed 800G network environments, MTP/MPO cables play a crucial role with their high density, high bandwidth, and flexibility. MTP/MPO cables adopt various harness or direct connection schemes, seamlessly connecting with 800G optical modules, 400G optical modules, and 100G optical modules, enhancing the richness and flexibility of network construction.

 

800G Connection and Direct Cabling

 

16-fiber MTP trunk cables are designed for direct optical connection of 800G QSFP-DD/OSFP DR8 and 800G OSFP XDR8, supporting 800G transmission in hyperscale data centers.

 

800G to 8x100G Interconnection

 

16-fiber MTP-LC harness cables are optimized for direct optical connection from 800G OSFP XDR8 to 100G QSFP28 FR, and from 800G QSFP-DD/OSFP DR8 to 100G QSFP28 DR, as well as high-density data center applications.

 

800G to 2x400G Interconnection

 

16-fiber MTP conversion cables provide a more flexible multi-fiber cabling system based on MTP products. Using MTP conversion cables is a more cost-effective and lower-loss option compared to purchasing and installing separate conversion boxes. In network upgrades from 400G to 800G, the ability to directly connect one 800G optical module to two 400G optical modules can more effectively utilize cabling space, thereby saving cabling costs.

 

Conclusion

 

Choosing the right MPO/MTP fiber patch cable is crucial for achieving efficient and reliable network connections. By considering factors such as network requirements, compatibility with existing infrastructure, future scalability, and budget constraints, users can make informed decisions and choose the right MPO/MTP fiber patch cable for their specific needs. A wise choice can ensure that your MPO/MTP cables not only meet but exceed your ever-changing connectivity requirements.

 

How Fiber-MART Can Help

 

As a global leader in enterprise-level optical fiber cable solutions, Fiber-MART not only offers a variety of MPO/MTP cables but also provides customized MPO/MTP cabling solutions based on your needs to help your data center network achieve smooth upgrades. In an era of rapidly growing network data, it is time to make a choice—Fiber-MART is here to safeguard your data center upgrades.