If you search on “data center” you’ll find many images that show rows and rows of equipment racks. The network gear in these racks need to be physically connected to each other, and that’s where pluggable optic transceivers come in. But you also need to connect the transceivers together with fiber optic cables. That cabling infrastructure can get pretty complicated, especially in larger deployments. In Episode 11, we continue a conversation with Brian Kelly, a fiber cabling infrastructure expert at Panduit. In this third part of our six-part conversation we hear all about optical insertion loss and the importance of cleaning fiber connectors. – Pat Chou, Cisco Optics Product Manager Brian L. Kelly joined Panduit in 2012. In 2014 he joined Corporate R&D as a Solution Architect. Prior to joining Panduit, he worked for 14 years in the Telecommunications and Data Center Colocation industries. Currently, Brian manages Panduit’s Network Architecture team, which develops Reference Architecture content for the Data Center and Enterprise businesses. In addition, he manages the Panduit Labs Network, which provides secure connectivity and resources to their labs in Tinley Park, IL. Brian has written well over twenty technical papers that have been published on the Panduit website, as well as partner websites. Brian owns a Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. Related links Panduit cabling guides for Cisco optics: http://www.panduit.com/panduitciscofiber Cisco Optics-to-Device Compatibility Matrix: https://tmgmatrix.cisco.com/ Cisco Optics-to-Optics Interoperability Matrix: https://tmgmatrix.cisco.com/iop Cisco Optics Product Information: https://copi.cisco.com/ Additional resources Cisco Optics Podcast: https://blogs.cisco.com/tag/ciscoopticspodcast Cisco Optics blogs: https://blogs.cisco.com/tag/ciscoopticsblog (subscribe at https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=CiscoOpticsBlog ) Cisco Optics YouTube playlist: http://cs.co/9008BlQen Cisco Optics landing page: cisco.com/go/optics Timestamps 2:19 Optical insertion loss 5:17 Dirty connectors 8:55 Dust on MPO vs LC 10:50 Dirt on the side of the ferrule 12:01 Patch cord insertion loss 13:25 Total insertion loss of a link Music credits Sunny Morning by FSM Team | https://www.free-stock-music.com/artist.fsm-team.html Upbeat by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com