INDUSTRY FOCUS REICHLE & DE MASSARI
Proliferation of 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and other technologies, along with fast-developing user behaviours and requirements, are changing the network landscape drastically. Reichle & De Massari (R&M)’s Michiel Panders and Andreas Rüsseler take a look at developments in the Local Area Networks, Data Centre, and Telco markets MARKET TRENDS, CHALLENGES & TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS TELCO, LAN & DATA CENTRES
ENTERPRISE & OFFICE As people return to the office, building managers are reconsidering space usage while looking to adopt new Wi-Fi standards such as Wi-Fi 6E. Fibre and Cat. 8 cabling are being adopted to support bandwidth requirements of the new Wi-Fi standards over the lengths required to support end points in the building. Some building managers are delaying investments and looking into new technologies such as Single Pair Ethernet (SPE). Increasing bandwidth to Wi-Fi access points and individual desks to keep up with demand requires informed decisions about consolidating fibre backbone. Adoption of cloud-based application and processes continues to grow, and people are becoming used to the speed and convenience. As a result, new on- premise business support applications are expected to be available much faster, and communications infrastructure needs to support this. At the same time, connectivity to the cloud requires high speed, availability and low latency.
As is the case in in production plants, traditional PLC technologies are moving to IP and SPE is much more suited to wiring these systems than traditional eight-wire CAT cabling. Making building automation more compatible with Ethernet, using SPE as the connector interface, will support amalgamation of conventional data network technology (LAN) and building automation. SPE with its two-wire technology (single twisted pair), compact connector dimensions and connector density, relatively large ranges from 15m to 1000m depending on the transmission capacity, and its Power over Data Line capabilities, will certainly help promote ‘All over IP’ concepts. DATA CENTRES DC performance is based on uptime, spend, efficiency and Time to Capability. In today’s cloud-based environment, you might have a new service up and running in minutes. So now, businesses expects an application to be ready in a matter of weeks, instead of months. However, that
As market segments merge and technology develops, separation
between previously disparate networks is disappearing. Convergence of building infrastructure - such as air conditioning, alarm systems, lighting, LAN, access control, and heating - is taking place. Integration between building management and network infrastructure is key to efficiency and sustainability. Vital insights can be enabled and improved by using a common language between systems. Bringing resources onto a common IP platform allows to truly leverage the combined intelligence of systems. More smart devices means more networked devicess and an increased need for high-quality cabling in the building environment. To enable smart devices, it is not necessary to use all eight wires in a Cat. cable. Using Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) means much less physical cable needs to be routed into areas where other cables might be too thick. Also, there’s less copper inside, reducing cost. This matches Smart Building technology requirements.
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INDUSTRY FOCUS 2021/2022
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