Since the 21st century, cloud computing has gained incredible attention and has become a topic of conversation. Consider that cloud computing has become the core of operations in any industry, such as education, food, beverage, IT, or any other industry. Any network service designed to serve individual customers or large enterprises must employ cutting-edge communications technologies to effectively handle cloud computing needs.

To meet the day-to-day demands of personal data and data storage generated and managed by large enterprises, cloud computing technologies need to run on infrastructure that provides seamless connectivity and massive data processing capabilities.

Fiber optic interconnects provide high-bandwidth and low-latency connectivity, making them the ideal infrastructure for cloud computing operations.

What is fiber optic interconnection

Modern data centers and telecom networks require infrastructure capable of handling multiple high-performance components simultaneously. Fiber optic interconnects are used to connect different parts of a fiber optic system, usually consisting of one or more fibers. These interconnects provide high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity, making them the preferred choice for traditional electrical interconnects for copper-based communication networks.

Fiber optic interconnection with copper interconnection

While enterprises used to rely heavily on traditional copper connections, fiber optic interconnects have become the first choice for business applications that handle large amounts of data loads.

Here are some of the differentiators that make fiber interconnects even better:

• Transfer speed – Copper transmits data through the movement of electrons, and the maximum data speed of copper is typically around 10 gigabits per second (Gbps), although some advanced copper-based technologies can support higher speeds.
• In contrast, optical fibers use light to transmit data, which makes transmission speeds significantly higher. The theoretical maximum data speed of fiber optics is about 100 terabits per second (Tbps), but in practical applications, the speed is usually lower. However, up to 60 have been demonstrated in laboratory settings The speed of Tbps allows fiber to transmit data at much higher speeds than copper cables.
• Distance – If you want to send data over long distances, fiber optics is a better choice. Some single-mode fibers are capable of transmitting data up to 25 miles, while copper cables lose about 100 percent of their data within 90 meters.
• Network reliability – Copper cables are good electrical conductors and are susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can cause network outages. Optical fibers are not affected by moisture and temperature changes. In addition, fiber optics are not as fire hazardous as copper cables.
• Security – Since fiber optics do not operate on electrical signals, the data carried in fiber optic cables cannot be eavesdropped. Networks transmitted over copper cables can be eavesdropped, which can hinder connectivity.
• Associated costs – While copper may initially seem more economical, its deployment and maintenance creates hidden costs over time. Copper cables require regular maintenance and replacement, especially in harsh environments, and are more susceptible to damage and wear.

In addition, copper is less secure than fiber optics and is therefore more vulnerable to security breaches and cyberattacks. As a result, organizations may need to invest in additional security measures to protect their networks, increasing the overall cost of deploying and maintaining copper networks.

In contrast, fiber optic cables are more durable and last longer than copper cables. It also requires less maintenance and is more cost-effective in the long run. While the initial investment in fiber optic cables may be higher, lower maintenance and replacement costs, combined with improvements in network security and reliability, can make fiber optic networks more cost-effective over time.

Primary cloud service model

Initially, cloud computing was used only for remote job entry and timesharing, and was used by large Internet service enterprises such as IBM and DEC. However, after 1970, cloud computing was used by IT organizations for core IT applications.

In the digital era of communication, cloud computing is applied in service-based infrastructure, large-capacity networks, remote data management and other fields. The core cloud service models are:

• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

To maximize the results of these data-intensive applications and make network services reliable, cloud computing needs to be optimized.

How can fiber augment cloud networks?

Here's how fiber optic interconnects can be most efficient in cloud computing networks:

• Higher bandwidth – Fiber optics can transmit large amounts of data over greater bandwidths. This has proven to be particularly useful for large-scale data transfer as well as high-definition online streaming and video applications. Fiber optics are commonly used to connect cloud servers and data centers, and depending on the type of fiber and equipment used, data transfer rates can reach terabits per second.
• More energy efficient – Because data is transmitted using light in optical fibers, there can be significant cost savings when large amounts of data are transmitted over cloud networks compared to copper interconnects that require power.
• Lower attenuation – For fiber, even over long distances, signal loss is minimal. The typical intrinsic attenuation of single-mode fiber at 1310 nm is about 0.40 dB/km。 For multimode fiber, this value is slightly higher. However, they do not require signal repeaters like copper interconnects, forming an efficient cloud network.
• Scalability – Fiber provides perfect scalability to keep pace with expanding cloud environments and complex applications. High-density fiber-optic cables with wavelength division multiplexing enable rapid scalability of cloud networks that copper interconnects do not allow.

In summary, when faced with the risk of disasters and extreme weather conditions, fiber optic interconnects can "withstand storms" better than traditional electrical interconnects. This ensures that the cloud network truly delivers what it promises – 24/7 high-speed network connectivity and availability.