Siemens PLM Software, a division of Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) and a
leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and
services, has been operating in the country for about two decades. Its 2,200
plus customers across the country include leading manufacturing enterprises in
the field of automotive and transportation, machinery, aerospace, defense, and
numerous small- to mid-sized businesses. Its India division registered an
impressive growth rate of 30% (CAGR) over the last few years, calling for
expanding the capacity of its operations in the country by opening a new and
much larger, development center that could accommodate up to 1,100 individuals
responsible for many of the division's software product developments, modules,
and service engagements on a global basis.
The Choice
Expansion of this data center facility meant not only the extension of
office space but also development of a significantly future proof, high-speed
network that would cater to tomorrow's demands today. Infrastructure cabling
plays a vital role in design, implementation, and operation of such networks as
they need to support bandwidth hungry, highly available and scaleable network
devices. Siemens PLM Software was looking for a brand that would support their
data center infrastructure in terms of high bandwidth, fast installation, and
easy MACs.
Kapil Deshpande, IT communications infrastructure architect, Siemens PLM
Software, Pune, said, “We have grown considerably in last 7 to 8 years and
frequently faced the requirement for expansion of our network. So, we wanted to
go for a one-time installation that will meet the current and future
requirements arising out of high bandwidth hungry applications, future
technology, and future growth.” While commenting on how Tyco responded to meet
the specific requirements of its customer, Milind J Kadam, senior area manager,
NetConnect, Tyco Electronics, Pune said, “We discovered that Siemens PLM
Software plant's expansion required high-speed, high-bandwidth network that was
easy to install and maintain, and that would optimize rack space while not
compromising on performance. Keeping this in mind we worked on a design with
10XG STP Solutions.”
The Compliance
While evaluating brands that would deliver these critical essentials to the
network, Siemens PLM Software was suitably impressed with shielded 10G
technology offered by AMP Netconnect from Tyco Electronics. The XG Shielded
Copper Cabling System of Tyco offered the best combination of shielding, shannon
capacity, and bandwidth, and ensured that it met the needs of the 10 Gigabit
Ethernet applications. The solution provides a proven, available, and
cost-effective means to support standards-based structured cabling network.
For Siemens PLM Software, it was imperative that the solution be able to cope
up with higher frequencies produced by the active electronics for 10G that
generate considerable noise. Alien cross talk (ANEXT) caused by these high
frequency signals coupled with frequency from adjacent copper cables and
connecting hardware are the limiting noise source for running 10G over copper
cables. It is also important to consider the shannon capacity (measured in Gbps)
that defines the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted in the presence
of noise as determined by the signal-to-noise ratio. The foil shielding of the
AMP NetConnect STP system virtually eliminates ANEXT, resulting in a higher
signal-to-noise ratio and a much larger shannon capacity. Also, the system
presents an ideal solution for many applications. The foil shielding also makes
it resistant to EMI and RFI.
Among the other operational efficiencies that Siemens PLM Software required
the MPO Solution for data center applications from Tyco lived up to the
customer's expectations. For varied distance and data rates, the AMP NetConnect
MPO optical fiber system offers an excellent choice; whether the distances
between devices are shorter in few feet or lengthier in hundreds of meters, or
whether the data rates are 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, or even 10 Gbps, the solution comes
to the rescue of enterprises.
The Tyco Electronics' solution consists of trunk cables, cassettes, and cable
assemblies that are the basic modular components needed for a complete network.
Trunk cables are pre-terminated at the factory with high-density MPO connectors.
Each MPO connector terminates 12 optical fibers in a single, push-pull connector
about the same size as one SC or ST-style connector. The high fiber density of
this connector means that a terminated cable can be placed into cable trays or
even pulled in conduit without requiring a large pathway cross-section. Once in
place, the cable can be connected into patch panels. MPO trunk cables are
available in all fiber types and fiber counts (multiples of 12 fibers) in
standard and custom lengths.
Since the cables are modular, a longer cable can always be used to get
equipment connected to the network, and then that cable can be replaced at a
convenient time with a cable of the correct length in a matter of minutes, so
down time is minimal. Needless to say that these bring speed, reliability and
scalability to data center installation. Because of the high density they offer
they offer more performance in less cabinet and trunking space. Factory
pre-termination and testing makes this system more precise and reliable with
outstanding quality control. The primary cost reduction for installation,
termination, and testing, and secondary cost for trunking, cabinet, and
consumables, and superior system features attracted Siemens PLM Software to
prefer AMP NetConnect's solution.
Design Support
Apart from offering the products and solutions, Tyco Electronics' technical
team worked closely with Siemens PLM Software Plant's technical team and with
the system integrator, Flair Technologies, to offer design support. Milind J
Kadam, senior area manager, NetConnect, Tyco Electronics, Pune said, “We thought
it was imperative to offer all necessary support. Our design services were
tailored to the passive infrastructure of the network and customized to enhance
their bandwidth requirements and offer cost effective solutions for a good RoI
in the long run.”
The data center is designed on 10G-shielded copper system and the LAN is
designed on distributed network architecture (DNA) that facilitates easy MACs.
Fiber backbone redundancy is maintained to each hub room from the data center
and between the hub rooms using MPO fiber optic cabling solution. The data
center, however, uses centralized network architecture (CNA) topology. CNA is a
premier architecture used by Siemens PLM Software to address the increasing
operating costs of network administration and the future requirement to easily
and cost-effectively migrate from low-speed LANs of today to high-speed
requirements of tomorrow. CNA brings all-user connectivity to one centralized
closet/equipment room within the building versus distributed closets throughout
the building. The advantage of using this topology in a data center is that it
provides centralized control and monitoring of the network, and trouble-shooting
is faster as opposed to DNA. Cat 6 cabling solution has been used in the LAN to
support data and voice applications.
Future Saved
The Siemens PLM Software plant in Pune is the first 10G data center of the
city with state-of-the-art technology and innovative and future proof solutions
in their network infrastructure. The 10G solution is ready to take on the
constant growth of processor power inside workstations and the server farms, as
well as the demand for faster communication throughout the premises. Plug-and-go
solution with fiber patch cord makes it faster to deploy and easier to maintain
and use. Kapil Deshpande, IT communications infrastructure architect, Siemens
PLM Software, Pune, said, “We were looking for future ready installation with
scalability, flexibility, and a warranty for next 25 years.” Now the network is
ready for future high bandwidth hungry applications.
Kannan K
kannan@cybermedia.co.in
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