MTP® CASSETTES AND HOUSING PANELS
4 Common Uses in Fibre Networking
MTP (MPO) CASSETTES
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
MTP (MPO) Cassettes for Duplex Networks
These MTP (MPO) cassettes will have rear MTP (MPO) ports (usually for 12 fibres per port) for connection to MTP trunk cables and front duplex LC or SC duplex ports. Two MTP (MPO) cassettes, MTP (MPO) trunk(s) and LC (or SC) duplex patch cords will create either a multimode or singlemode duplex network between two network locations.
Either 12 fibre or 24 fibre versions are commonplace
These types of MTP (MPO) cassettes will typically hold either six or twelve LC duplex ports, i.e. have a fibre capacity of 12 or 24 fibres. For each 12 fibres there will be one MTP (MPO) rear port. Some manufacturers choose to use a single MTP (MPO) rear port for 24 fibre cassettes and use an MTP 24 fibre connector, although this is not widespread.
Most MTP (MPO) cassette systems will be designed according to internationally recognised standards and so when used with standard duplex patch cords will enable a connection between SFP or SFP+ ports within active equipment.
24 Fibre MTP (MPO) Cassette
2 Rear MTP (MPO) Ports
40G and 100G MTP (MPO) Breakout Cassettes
As 40G ports are introduced into a network it is common to connect them to four 10G ports. For example, one 40G switch could be connected to four 10G servers.
An MTP (MPO) cassette can be used to do this. These cassettes would have rear MTP (MPO) ports(s) and front LC duplex ports. Each rear MTP (MPO) port would be connected to four LC duplex ports.
The rear MTP (MPO) port within the MTP cassette would be connected to the QSFP+ transceiver either directly or through structured cabling and the front LC duplex ports would be patched to the 10G SFP+ transceivers.
Different manufacturers have adopted different approaches with some using 8 fibre cassettes (one rear MTP (MPO) port) and others using 24 fibre cassettes (three rear MTP (MPO) ports).
24 Fibre MTP (MPO) Cassette
3 Rear MTP (MPO) Ports – each accepting one 40G or 100G channel
MTP (MPO) Adapter Cassettes
These MTP (MPO) cassettes are also referred to as MTP (MPO) adapter modules or cassettes. They are simply housings for multiple MTP (MPO) adapters which enable MTP (MPO) trunk cables to be connected to MTP (MPO) patch cords which are in term connected to 40G QSFP+ or 100G QSFP28 transceivers.
A typical single 40G (or 100G) link would have two MTP (MPO) patch cords, Two MTP (MPO) adapter Cassettes and one MTP (MPO) trunk cable. MTP (MPO) cassette systems designed according to internationally recognised standards for 40G and 100G transmission will have MTP (MPO) adapters with a Key up / key down configuration (also know as opposed key) and enable the three MTP (MPO) cable to have the same polarity (Type B).
MTP (MPO) Cassettes for extending trunks
These MTP (MPO) cassettes are the same product as type 2 above except that for certain network configurations they may hold Key up / Key up (aligned) MTP (MPO) adapters.
These MTP (MPO) adapter cassettes can also be used within a distribution area to create cross connects using MTP (MPO) patch cords.