Guide to Choose a Suitable ODF

As the wide deployment of fiber optic cables, the cable management is quite important. To keep fiber optical cables in well managed condition, various optical distribution frames (ODF) are recommended. ODF are used to connect and schedule cables. A suitable ODF is critical for good cable management. Then how to choose ODF?

cable-managment

ODF Overview

An ODF is a frame used to provide cable interconnections between communication facilities, which can integrate fiber splicing, fiber termination, fiber optic adapters & connectors and cable connections together in a single unit. It can also work as a protective device to protect fiber optic connections from damage. Most ODFs provided in the market almost have the same function with different shapes and specifications. To choose the right ODF is not an easy thing.

Types of ODF

According to the structure, ODFs can mainly be divided into three types, namely wall mount ODF, floor mount ODF and rack mount ODF.

Wall mount ODF (shown in the following picture) usually looks like a small box which can be installed on the wall and is suitable for fiber distribution with small counts. Floor mount ODF adopts closed structure. It is usually designed with relatively fixed fiber capacity and nice appearance.

Rack mount ODF (shown in the following picture) is usually modularity in design with firm structure. It can be installed on the rack with more flexibility according to the fiber optic cable counts and specifications. This kind of optical distribution system is more convenient and can provide more possibilities to the future variations. Most of the rack mount ODF is 19’’, which ensures that they can be perfectly installed on to the commonly used standard transmission rack.

Guide to Choose ODF

There are many factors to be considered when choosing an ODF not only the structure types. The following will tell more factors as the guide for you to choose a suitable one.

Fiber Counts: as the number of fiber connections in places like data center increases, the need for high density ODF becomes the trend. Fiberstore provides ODFs with 24 ports, 48 ports and 144 ports. And we also offer customized service for customers.

Manageability: high-density is the good but management is not easy. ODF should provide an easy management environment for technicians. The basic requirement is that ODF should allow for easy access to the connectors on the front and rear of those ports for insertion and removal. This requires that ODF should reserve enough space. In addition, the color of adapters installed on the ODF should be consistent with the color code of fiber optic connectors to avoid wrong connections.

Flexibility: as mentioned above, rack mount ODF is relatively flexible during applications with the modular design. The adapter port on ODF is also flexible to increase the flexibility. For example, an ODF with ports of duplex LC adapter can be installed with duplex LC, SC or MRTJ adapters. An ODF with ports of ST adapter can be installed with both ST adapters and FC adapters.

Protection: ODF integrates fiber connections in it. The fiber connections like splicing joint, fiber optic connectors are actually really sensitive in the whole transmission network and can directly influence the stability and reliability of the network. Thus, a good ODF should have protection device to prevent fiber optic connections from damages produced by dust or stress.

Conclusion

ODF is an important equipment to reduce the cost and increase the reliability and flexibility of fiber optic network during both deployment and maintenance especially for the high density network. To choose a right ODF you must consider the applications and management. And there are many factors like structure, fiber counts and protection to be considered when choosing a suitable ODF. What’s more, you should also consider the future needs for the network expansion to avoid the waste of original equipment.