Future Perfect

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