design A s a technical undertaking, 10GBase-T is an accomplishment of signifi cant proportions.  e engineer- ing eff orts required to create a protocol for transmitting 10 billion bits of data per second on eight copper wires are worthy of celebration and marvel. For professionals in the cabling industry, however, it is doubtful that those contemplating 10-Gigabit Eth- ernet deployment have used the word “marvelous” to describe the deliberations and considerations that have gone into selecting which flavor (10GBase-T or 10GBase-SX) to deploy. And some users who have settled on 10GBase-T have found the option of using unshielded or shielded twisted-pair cabling a source of consternation. In the 10-GbE ecosystem, tech- nical issues raise cost questions, which give reason for deeper con- sideration of the fi nancial invest- ments involved. Logical questions arising from cost analysis involve the long-term technical benefi ts of deploying 10GbE; the cycle com- pletes itself and starts over again. Cabling-system vendors pro- vide full assurance that their twisted-pair solutions accommodate 10GBase-T trans- mission—even though the Telecommunications Indus- try Association’s (TIA; www.tiaonline.org) full set of Category 6A specifi cations is not yet fi nalized. With the fi rst 10GBase-T-compliant networking products hitting the market, these cabling vendors are getting their fi rst opportunities to prove those claims. Meanwhile, fi ber-based 10-GbE systems have been available and deployed for some time.  e truism we have all heard is: even with the use of vertical-cavity surface- emitting lasers, the cost of optoelectronics equipment (i.e., fi ber-based networking equipment) so far exceeds that of copper-based electronics, holding out for the introduction of copper-based systems is the most cost- eff ective move a user can make. And this author, for one, typically takes that statement at face value. Just how much of a value is 10GBase-T over 10GBase-SX? And even if 10GBase-T proves to be the fi nancially advantageous option, how should a user make the decision about whether to op- erate the protocol on shielded or unshielded cabling? With those questions lingering, or put another way, fueling the 10-GbE ecosystem, Cabling Instal- lation & Maintenance sought out three cabling-system providers, each of which off ers multimode fi ber, unshielded twisted-pair, and shielded twisted-pair solutions. With some vendors rather adamantly advocating one medium over the others for 10-GbE transmission, we invited ADC (www.adc.com); CommScope (www. commscope.com), which off ers the Uniprise and Sys- timax brands; and Tyco Electronics/AMP Netconnect (www.ampnetconnect.com) to participate in a Q&A- style discussion about the technical and, signifi cantly, the fi nancial considerations that users face when 10GbE is in their future. Speaking for ADC is John Schmidt, senior product manager for structured cabling. Representing Comm- Scope is Matt Brown, global data center solutions man- Inside the numbers: 10-GbE cost comparisons This vendor roundtable discussion provides perspective on the pricing issues associated with different 10-Gigabit Ethernet media choices. PATRICK M C LAUGHLIN is chief editor of Cabling Installation & Maintenance. Reprinted with revisions to format, from the May 2007 edition of CABLING INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE Copyright 2007 by PennWell Corporation PROOF! shielded twisted-pair solutions. shielded twisted-pair solutions. With some vendors rather adamantly advocating one With some vendors rather adamantly advocating one PROOF! try Association’s (TIA; www.tiaonline.org) full set of try Association’s (TIA; www.tiaonline.org) full set of Category 6A specifi cations is not yet fi nalized. With the Category 6A specifi cations is not yet fi nalized. With the fi rst 10GBase-T-compliant networking products hitting fi rst 10GBase-T-compliant networking products hitting the market, these cabling vendors are getting their fi rstthe market, these cabling vendors are getting their fi rst Meanwhile, fi ber-based 10-GbE systems have been Meanwhile, fi ber-based 10-GbE systems have been medium over the others for 10-GbE transmission, wemedium over the others for 10-GbE transmission, we invited ADC (www.adc.com); CommScope (www.invited ADC (www.adc.com); CommScope (www. commscope.com), which off ers the Uniprise and Sys-commscope.com), which off ers the Uniprise and Sys- timax brands; and Tyco Electronics/AMP Netconnect timax brands; and Tyco Electronics/AMP Netconnect (www.ampnetconnect.com) to participate in a Q&A-(www.ampnetconnect.com) to participate in a Q&A- ager. Brian Davis, global product manager, represents Tyco Electronics. (Note that in providing these individuals’ answers to the questions posed, they had the option of answering or not answering any question. Also, when more than one individual answered a question the same or essen- tially the same, Cabling Installation & Maintenance has chosen to provide a single response.) Q: On a “1x/1.5x/2x”-type basis, generally what are the installed-cost fi gures for 100-meter, 4-connector channel Category 6A UTP, Category 6A foiled/unshielded twist- ed-pair (F/UTP), and laser-optimized 50-µm multimode fi ber cabling systems? Davis: Category 6A F/UTP and multimode fi ber are 1x; Cat- egory 6A UTP is 1.1x. Brown: Fiber-cable prices have remained stable during the past few years, while copper raw material prices have driven the cost of UTP and F/UTP cabling up. Based on UTP as 1x, F/UTP installed links will be 1.15x, and laser-optimized fi ber links will be 1.75x. Q: Can you provide similar information about the cost of 1-Gig network equipment (network interface cards [NICs], LAN cards), comparing 1000Base-T with 1000Base-SX? Schmidt: According to Intel pricing, 1000Base-T NICs are $145 while 1000Base-SX NICs are $510. And Cisco prices 1000Base-T small-form-pluggables (SFPs) at $315 while 1000Base-SX SFPs are $380. On the NIC side, 1000Base-SX will be approximately 3.5 more expensive than 1000Base-T. Keep in mind that 1000Base-T NIC ports have astronomically higher volume than 1000Base-SX. For switch ports, which have higher 1000Base-SX volume, the cost is much closer, with 1000Base-SX having only a 20% premium over 1000Base-T ports. Brown: 1000Base-T and 1000Base-SX NICs have both fallen dramatically over the past two years.  ey are between 20% and 35% of their 2005 price.  e price gap between -T and -SX has narrowed from 4x in 2005 to 3x today. Q: Do you have any insight into what the market might expect, in terms of a cost diff erence between -T and -SX, when a full com- plement of 10GBase-T networking equipment is available? Brown: Estimates at IEEE have historically predicted 10GBase-T prices will be 40% of 10GBase-SX prices. We believe the biggest hurdle for 10GBase-T is the electronics power requirement.  e most effi cient NICs on the market have power consumptions of <6 watts, while fi ber-based 10G NICs are readily available between 2 and 4 watts. Schmidt: Two NIC vendors, Tehuti Networks and Chelsio Communications, have announced product. Chelsio’s 10GBase-T NIC is priced at $1,995. Neterion’s 10GBase-CX4 NIC is $1,095, while its 10GBase-SR NIC is $1,995 and its 10GBase-LR NIC is $2,895. 10GBase-T NICs are currently about the same price as 10GBase-SR, as they have just been introduced and have low volume. It is expected that by 2009 the relative cost between 10GBase-SR and 10GBase-T will be 4x, with 10GBase-T NICs sub-$200 and 10GBase-SR around $800. Q: Given the economics of optical networking, users may be tempted to dismiss it out of hand for channels of 100-meter dis- tances or less. But are there circumstances under which fi ber can be the best overall choice in systems ≤100 meters? Davis:  ere are several reasons to deploy fi ber in horizon- tal links less than 100 meters, including the following seven scenarios: 1. Cabling runs through or is exposed to high radio-fre- quency interference/electromagnetic interference (RFI/ EMI) noise areas; 2. Cabling runs through or is exposed to high-voltage areas—there are no induced voltages on all-dielectric fi ber cable; 3. Restricted pathway space, including but not limited to small conduits, small bulkhead openings, and fi re barriers; 4. Cabling runs through or is exposed to high-temperature areas; 5. 10-GbE-capable runs are needed today; 6. Secure areas with concerns about transmitted/radiated signals; 7. Limited termination space for highest-density connectivity. Brown: Fiber has its strongest play when density is a major concern, as in the storage area network (SAN) environment.  is relatively short-distance application is dominated by fi ber cabling due to density concerns as well as the potential for fi ber to upgrade to 100-gigabit and beyond. Fiber makes sense below 100 meters when density and a clear upgrade path to next-generation speeds are major concerns. Schmidt: Absolutely. In particular, laser-optimized multi- mode fi ber is an ideal medium for shorter-distance transmis- sion for the following situations: 1. Fibre Channel transmission in SANs; The size of a Category 6A cable, which can vary signifi cantly (as this photo shows), is one of many considerations users must make when choosing 10-Gigabit Ethernet media. PROOF! tempted to dismiss it out of hand for channels of 100-meter dis-tempted to dismiss it out of hand for channels of 100-meter dis- PROOF! According to Intel pricing, 1000Base-T NICs are According to Intel pricing, 1000Base-T NICs are $145 while 1000Base-SX NICs are $510. And Cisco prices$145 while 1000Base-SX NICs are $510. And Cisco prices 1000Base-T small-form-pluggables (SFPs) at $315 while 1000Base-T small-form-pluggables (SFPs) at $315 while 1000Base-SX SFPs are $380. On the NIC side, 1000Base-SX will 1000Base-SX SFPs are $380. On the NIC side, 1000Base-SX will be approximately 3.5 more expensive than 1000Base-T. Keep in be approximately 3.5 more expensive than 1000Base-T. Keep in mind that 1000Base-T NIC ports have astronomically higher mind that 1000Base-T NIC ports have astronomically higher tances or less. But are there circumstances under which fi ber can tances or less. But are there circumstances under which fi ber can be the best overall choice in systems ≤100 meters?be the best overall choice in systems ≤100 meters? Davis:Davis:  ere are several reasons to deploy fi ber in horizon-  ere are several reasons to deploy fi ber in horizon- tal links less than 100 meters, including the following seven tal links less than 100 meters, including the following seven scenarios:scenarios: 2. Highly secure network connections, due to fi ber’s high degree of diffi culty to tap or monitor; 3. Very high density network con- nections that require small cable diameters; 4. Sub-100-meter lengths that are expected to be 100-Gigabit Ethernet in the future. It is expected that 100-Gigabit Ethernet will have a 100-meter distance limitation on laser-optimized multimode fi ber. Q: When planning 10GBase-T-capa- ble twisted-pair systems, end users face complicated decisions about cable types and those types’ characteristics. As- suming we are talking about a 4-con- nector channel in a “ friendly” environment (no excessive external noise sources or extreme bends along the pathway), does your organization recommend one medium over another? Schmidt: Unshielded twisted-pair Augmented Category 6, for the following reasons: 1. UTP Category 6A is available in the smallest diameter that will support 10GBase-T—0.275 in. versus 0.285 in. in F/UTP cables—which will improve conduit-fi ll ratios by allowing more cables to fi t in a given-size conduit; 2. UTP Category 6A is the lowest-cost medium that will sup- port 10GBase-T, accounting for all factors including compo- nent cost, installation cost, troubleshooting, and testing; 3. UTP Category 6A is designed to meet and exceed all the elec- trical requirements set forth by the IEEE, ISO, and TIA to support 10GBase-T without resorting to shielding; 4. In 2006, more than 6.2 billion feet of category-rated cable was installed in the United States; of that, less than 1.5% was F/UTP, according to market-research fi rm BSRIA (www.bsria.co.uk). As a result, there is very little instal- lation, troubleshooting, and maintenance experience with F/UTP cabling in the United States—precisely why the vast majority will continue to use UTP cabling. F/UTP and S/FTP cabling certainly has its place within the network. It will provide superior external-noise suppression for installations near high noise sources, such as radio or microwave transmitters; however, standard noise from common sources, and certainly alien crosstalk, can be more than adequately eliminated by UTP Category 6A. So, for 98.5% of installations in the United States, UTP cabling is going to be a more eco- nomical choice that does not sacrifi ce performance. Brown: We recommend TIA Category 6A, ISO Class E A - compliant UTP cable. F/UTP solutions have several drawbacks beyond their 15% price premium. When using UTP cabling, the installer does not need to implement the additional bond- ing and grounding steps that are required with F/UTP cables.  ere is additional time and cost associated with terminating the shield and drain wire on F/UTP cabling. Due to the sen- sitivity of this operation to installer technique, between 5% and 20% of terminations need to be re-worked to properly ground them.  e possibility of the foil tape folding or kinking can give F/UTP cables a larger bend radius than UTP cables. F/ UTP cables typically have 2-inch bend radii (similar to coaxial cables), compared to typical UTP bend radii of one inch. Ease of cable routing and dressing are critical in today’s dense con- nectivity environments, such as the data center. While F/UTP cables are smaller than some UTP cables, the density advantag- es of F/UTP are small and do not justify the increased cost and diffi culty of installation. If density is a critical concern, then fi - ber is preferred. Davis: For 10GBase-T-capable twisted-pair systems, Tyco Electronics recommends a Category 6A F/UTP system. From a performance perspective, shielded technology eliminates the eff ects of alien crosstalk—the most dominant and critical additional parameter for 10GBase-T. From an installation point of view our jack greatly simplifi es installation and ensures consistent high-performance terminations.  is jack is designed to handle heavier-gauge conductors and makes it easy to maintain pair twist—even with the tighter pair twist of Category 6A cables.  ere is no need to fi eld-test a shielded installation for alien crosstalk, whereas an unshielded solution requires hours of additional testing for 100% coverage, or a “sampling” test procedure, which reduces the time investment by sacrifi cing 100% verifi cation. Cost model lets you make your own calculations T he TIA’s Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS; www.fols.org) provides on its Web site a cost model that lets users compare the costs associated with deploying the cabling infrastructure and network hardware for protocols, in- cluding Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet. Cost-model users must register before beginning, but the registration and use of the model is free. FOLS has updated the pricing data in its cost model periodi- cally, and the model lets users input their own numbers as well. The participants in this article—ADC, CommScope, and Tyco Electronics—are all FOLS members. “FOLS continues to be committed to keeping our cost model current,” said Andrew Oliviero, FOLS chair, when the model was most recently updated in Feb- ruary. “For this update, we made changes that will make it easier for users to make accurate comparisons among archi- tectures, essentially updating the data without making signifi cant changes to the structure of the model.” The newest updates include new media choices, aggregate pricing refl ecting current mar- ket conditions, the ability to customize port-utilization calculations, and a graphic comparison of different architectures. nent cost, installation cost, troubleshooting, and testing;nent cost, installation cost, troubleshooting, and testing; 3. UTP Category 6A is designed to meet and exceed all the elec-3. UTP Category 6A is designed to meet and exceed all the elec- trical requirements set forth by the IEEE, ISO, and TIA to trical requirements set forth by the IEEE, ISO, and TIA to support 10GBase-T without resorting to shielding;support 10GBase-T without resorting to shielding; 4. In 2006, more than 6.2 billion feet of category-rated cable 4. In 2006, more than 6.2 billion feet of category-rated cable was installed in the United States; of that, less than 1.5% was installed in the United States; of that, less than 1.5% was F/UTP, according to market-research fi rm BSRIA was F/UTP, according to market-research fi rm BSRIA UTP cables typically have 2-inch bend radii (similar to coaxial UTP cables typically have 2-inch bend radii (similar to coaxial cables), compared to typical UTP bend radii of one inch. Ease cables), compared to typical UTP bend radii of one inch. Ease of cable routing and dressing are critical in today’s dense con-of cable routing and dressing are critical in today’s dense con- nectivity environments, such as the data center. While F/UTPnectivity environments, such as the data center. While F/UTP cables are smaller than some UTP cables, the density advantag-cables are smaller than some UTP cables, the density advantag- es of F/UTP are small and do not justify the increased cost and es of F/UTP are small and do not justify the increased cost and . data center solutions man- Inside the numbers: 10-GbE cost comparisons This vendor roundtable discussion provides perspective on the pricing issues associated. hitting the market, these cabling vendors are getting their fi rstthe market, these cabling vendors are getting their fi rst Meanwhile, fi ber-based 10-GbE