Fibre Channel Cabling

Copper Cabling

Two 2.9 m copper cables come standard with each Fibre Channel HBA. SFP transceivers are already attached to each end. Copper cables of longer lengths should be avoided with Xsan.

Optical Cabling

Use 2 Gbits/s LC cable. These cables usually have bright orange jacketing, although multiple-color cables are emerging on the market. Check the printing on the cable's jacketing to be sure of its specifications.

Cable lengths depend on substrate size ("the smaller the diameter, the longer the run"):

Cable Size	Run Length	SFP Transceiver Required
62.5 m	300 m	Short wavelength (short haul)
50 m	500 m	Short wavelength (short haul)
9 m	10 km	Long wavelength (long haul)

Prefabricated optical cables are the easiest to implement, as cable ends are already finely polished to interface with the SFP transceiver. Lengths vary from 1 m to 500 m.

Optical cable is manufactured from fiberglass substrate. It is therefore extremely fragile. When running Fibre cable from the core SAN components, take great care not to bend or kink the cable. As often as possible, lay it into conduit, rather than pulling it through.