Media Types

Cross Connects are differentiated by the media types used. Single-Mode Fiber is currently the standard and only available media type offering in all IBX data centers.

There are two types of optical fiber cables:

  1. Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) carries a single ray of light (mode) used for long-distance and high-speed transmissions. Signaling distances for SMF can reach over 62 miles (100 km).

    Note:

    As of 31 March 2024, SMF is the only media type available for order in all IBX data centers. All other media types are no longer available for new Cross Connects orders.

  2. Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF) is mostly used within an Equinix IBX data center.

    • Typical transmission speed and distance limits are 100 Mbit/s for distances up to two km (100BASE- FX), 1 Gbit/s to 220–550 m (1000BASE-SX), and 10 Gbit/s to 300 m (10GBASE-SR).
    • MMF are described by their core diameters. Equinix previously offered 62.5 micron fiber (OM1) and 50 micron fiber (OM2/OM3).
    • In comparison to SMF, MMF have higher light-gathering capacity which simplifies connections and allows the use of lower-cost electronics, like the LEDs.

    • OM3 supports distances up to 300 meters for 10Gig Ethernet and up to 550 meters for 1G Ethernet. OM3 is restricted within a suite, floor, or IBX data center.


Depending on the availability, following connectors are offered as fiber termination options:

  • SC - A connector used for fiber-optic cable that uses a plug and a socket with a push- pull latch, commonly called as Sam or Charlie connectors.

  • ST - A connector used for fiber-optic cable that uses a bayonet mount and connects one optical fiber. It is commonly called as Sam or Thomas connectors.

  • FC - A connector made of an all-zirconia ceramic ferrule for durability. They have a high-performance threading mounting system with a keyed body for repeatability and intermateability. They are primarily used with single-mode fibers, and used in telephone and high- speed communication links. They are commonly called as Frank or Charlie connectors.

  • LC -A connector used for fiber-optic cable for high density connections. It is commonly called as Lucent Connector, Little Connector, or Local Connector.

 

 

SC Connector

ST Connector

FC Connector

LC Connector

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable is a pair of conductors twisted together for the purpose of canceling electromagnetic interference from external sources.

Twisted pair cabling is often used in data networks for short and medium length connections because it is relatively lower in cost compared to optical fiber and coaxial cable.

  • Category 5 - This cable is used to carry network signals up to 100 mHz bandwidth and for Ethernet networks running at 10,100 or 1000 Mbps.

  • Category 5e - This is an enhanced standard of Category 5 recommended for all new installations which can transmit speed up to 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet).

    Note: Equinix previously employed Cat5e as a standard cable.

    CATEGORY BANDWIDTH APPLICATIONS

    Cat5

    100MHz

    100BASE-TX & 1000BASE-T Ethernet

    Cat5e

    100MHz

    100BASE-TX & 1000BASE-T Ethernet

    Cat6

    250MHz

    1000BASE-T Ethernet

    Note: The jacket color of Cat5 and Cat5e is green. Cat6 cables are blue.

  • RJ45 is an eight-wire modular male connector used by modular data systems to interconnect cable plant components used for Ethernet transport. All eight conductors are used.

  • RJ48 is an eight-position modular male connector used by telephone systems to transport T1 signals which only uses four conductors (1-2 and 4-5).

    Note: UTP cables utilize RJ45, or RJ48 connector types.

Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) refer to the standard low-speed, analog telephone service that is still used in some homes and businesses. POTS can carry 64 Kbps of bandwidth on twisted pair wiring. It is a single twisted pair of Cat3 cable intended for analog voice, also referred as DS0.

Coaxial Cable (COAX) uses a central conductor surrounded by a layer of insulation, an outer conductor, and a final layer of insulation. The term Coaxial comes from the inner conductor and the outer shield sharing the same geometric axis.

  • This cable contains electromagnetic field to carry the signal in the space between the inner and the outer conductors. COAX helps to protect the signal from external electromagnetic interference.
  • Coaxial cable is used for a range of devices like DS3 (Digital Signal 3) circuits and cable TV. DS3, also known as T3 is a 75 ohm coax cable delivering 44.736 Mbps in both directions. These circuits are used by both wired and wireless telephone carriers.

  • Coaxial cable utilizes a gray colored Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector.