The fibre intake

As data traffic increases, so does the demand for cabling systems that are able to provide sufficient support. Many companies are beginning to realise that fibre to desk is an economically viable option. Its high capacity is able to support bandwidth requirements well into the future.

A prime example is the Suffolk-based Framlingham Technology Centre. Since opening its doors in 2001, the centre has embraced technological innovation. So it came as no surprise when it opted for fibre networking to sustain the bandwidth-hungry applications being run by its clients.

Framlingham Technology Centre knew from the onset that its cutting-edge clients – typically innovative IT companies – required a network that eliminated security and data corruption concerns. At the same time, users needed a network that provided them with the freedom to move their technological capabilities ahead of competing businesses. In terms of volume, nothing can beat fibre optic cabling.

Although fibre is often perceived to be more expensive than copper, the centre’s research found that the Volition fibre cabling system from 3M provided an affordable end-to-end, fibre to desk system which was cost-competitive when compared to copper. The centre now has a firm foundation for converging technologies such as streaming video.

Technology central

Framlingham Technology Centre is the brain child of Tony Stockman, head of local award winning design consultancy Minima Design and co-founder of Miniflex, which specialises in fibre optic protection systems.

The centre has been described as the county’s first independent business hothouse. It is home to a number of cutting-edge technology start-ups who want the benefits of a state-of-the-art infrastructure, without the hefty costs associated with a London base. Essentially, it offers businesses high-tech facilities in what is primarily a market town and rural area.

The 21 tenants benefit from dedicated broadband access, digital connections, networked digital printers, smartboards, a presentation theatre and video conferencing.

At the same time, the centre helps businesses to grow and innovate. Business Link for Suffolk provides support counsellors whose advise on areas such as sources of funding for project development.

Stockman worked with a syndicate of local businessmen and authorities, including English Partnerships, to establish the centre. The 1800 m² development received local, regional, national and European funding.

Networking

Stockman is adamant that the fibre system it installed has aided the centre in becoming a creative force. But he admits getting over the first hurdle wasn’t easy. “So many suppliers tried to put us off, saying fibre was not the way forward for a centre like ours,” he says. “Luckily, as we had experience of fibre optics through our Minima and Miniflex companies, we knew it would provide us with networking flexibility into the future, so we were not going to be swayed.

“We took into consideration present and future performance and bandwidth demands and there was no contest. As well as speed, we also needed to guarantee consistent quality of clients’ data transmission so fibre was the only answer.”

Once Stockman and his team had rubber-stamped their decision, the next step was to find a supplier. “I had previous experience of 3M. I knew it could provide us with a comprehensive solution, which was paramount,” he explains. “3M Volition had the bandwidth we wanted and offered the best price in bringing fibre to the desk.”

So many suppliers tried to put us off, saying fibre was not the way forward for a centre like ours. We knew fibre would provide us with networking flexibility into the future, so we were not going to be swayed

This internal bandwidth is a good match for the organisation’s external bandwidth capabilities. The centre offers Internet access via leased lines and DSL (broadband copper) lines. “3-400 Mb files now routinely go out of here, because there is more data around and clients demand speed,” says Stockman. “Our foresight in fibre has been extremely valuable. We are able to easily upgrade to satisfy client demands.” Alongside this, the centre also offers a Virtual Private Network facility, enabling tenants to access their network from anywhere in the world.

A fitting solution

Stockman and his team chose to work with Cambridge Online, an experienced provider of value-added IT and supporting services. The company offers a complete installation service encompassing voice, data and power systems, as well as legacy technologies. It offers bespoke fibre installations, with expansion an inbuilt prerequisite.

“We were not getting the dedicated service we wanted from other installation companies, who were dubious that fibre was the best option. But Cambridge Online gave us a next day quote and started the project two days later,” says Stockman.

“All the final details were ironed out at an early stage and the whole process was trouble free and very straightforward,” he adds. “The great advantage of 3M Volition fibre is that it is very easy to install.”

The centre did not have to be extensively remodelled to allow for installation of the Volition system. Longer cable runs permit collapsed backbone architecture and network design flexibility. With a three to one signal attenuation advantage over copper, the system can also move data over longer distances throughout the building.

All fibre testing is carried out with Cambridge Online’s own calibrated test equipment, with either stabilised light source and power meters or high resolution triple window optical time domain reflectometers for performance checked against standard optical flux budgets. This is an important point, because without adequate pre-testing, it’s hard for any installer to guarantee the quality of the cabling system. Yet testing is not carried out as a standard procedure by all manufacturers and installers.

Paul Wheeler, network infrastructure consultant for Cambridge Online, says: “All our fibre installations are tailored to the individual’s current network requirements with expansion and future proofing built in to the overall design. In this case, it was achieved via the client’s choice; Volition fibre cabling system to the desk.” The fibre network was integrated with Miniflex’s fibre optic protection system, which guards against the potential hazards of mishandling fibres during installation, maintenance and upgrades. The centre’s network has been upgraded twice since it was installed.

Due to the relatively small size of the Framlingham building, it was able to utilise standard two core fibre horizontal 3M fibre cabling from the communications room to the desktop, without exceeding any cabling standards. The cable’s construction incorporates strength members that enable cables to be pulled under tension, without being damaged. Its compact size made it easy for Cambridge Online to install the system within the confines of the building design. The site required approximately four-and-a-half kilometres of cabling to connect up 65 desks.

“Upgrading has been easy. We have never had to tweak upgrades and there are no high maintenance costs,” says Stockman, who recommends fibre to anyone looking to future proof cabling requirements within a building the size of Framlingham.

Into the future

Next on the centre’s shopping list is an upgrade to Gigabit Ethernet. “Fibre gives you virtually unlimited bandwidth and the beauty is that it is robust and designed to be expanded, re-used and re-arranged,” explains Stockman.

The Framlingham building’s fibre solution is also used to deliver broadband to the wider community. Anyone within a ten mile radius of the centre can receive broadband access through Fram Broadband, the Framlingham Community Wireless Broadband project.

Stockman is proud that his business is helping to rejuvenate the area: “Our vision to deliver a fibre to desk network – free from the constraints of bandwidth for years to come – has not only aided local companies in inventive hi-tech disciplines, but has also helped the community as a whole in addressing the decline in traditional rural economies.”