APC Expands Service Portfolio to Include Cable Infrastructure Assessment

APC, a global leader in integrated power and cooling services, today simplified data center transformations to 10 Gigabit (Gb/s) Ethernet network architectures with the introduction of its Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service. APC's new service, specially designed for Cisco, supports the global launch of the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series. The Cisco Nexus 5000 is a line of Layer 2 access switches designed for data centers that provide high-density, low-latency, 10 Gigabit Ethernet switching, as well as a fully unified data center fabric integrating LAN, SAN and HPC traffic.

The APC Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service, available through Cisco Advanced Data Center services, delivers the necessary resources, expertise and tools to prepare data centers to meet 10 Gb/s Ethernet specifications. This service protects customers' network investments by providing greater network reliability and support for future technologies. Based on individual customer needs and requirements, APC's BICSI certified Registered Communication Distribution Designers® (RCDD) will evaluate the existing structured cabling solution and recommend changes that will ensure support for current or emerging 10 Gb/s Ethernet technologies.

Unified Fabric over Ethernet simplifies and reduces data center infrastructure. As organizations grow their networks to support bandwidth-intensive applications such as those enabled by server virtualization and I/O consolidation, 10 Gb/s Ethernet technology is becoming increasingly pervasive. APC, with over 40 years of experience in data center infrastructure design and services, can help enable this transformation with a solid cabling infrastructure recommendation delivered via APC's Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service.

"We are committed to providing our customers with best-of-class tools and support for deploying Cisco data center technology like the Nexus 5000 Series," said Soni Jiandani, vice president of marketing at Nuova Systems, a majority-owned subsidiary of Cisco. "Companies such as APC provide expertise in the critical area of physical infrastructure to help ensure that IT organizations experience successful deployments."

"As evidenced by the introduction of APC's InfraStruXure® power, cooling and management architecture more than five years ago, APC has established itself as a pioneer in simplifying and enabling the adoption of new technologies in the data center," said Aaron Davis, Chief Marketing Officer at APC. "We are pleased to continue teaming with Cisco to empower their customers with the necessary tools and information to successfully transform their data centers. As a growing number of companies invest in high-performance networking projects, it is increasingly necessary to further simplify physical infrastructure. The APC Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service for the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series allows customers to 'wire once' for greater flexibility in reallocating workloads across the data center computing infrastructure for years to come."

The APC Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service includes a broad range of activities to help customers quickly and successfully deploy the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series and other advanced technologies in their data center environment using a lifecycle services approach. The service activities include:

Cable Infrastructure Assessment:
  -- Management:  Assess whether cable management meets industry standards
     and make recommendations if needed.

  -- Installation:   Assess the installation of the horizontal and backbone
     cabling into the rack to ensure all codes and standards are being
     followed.

  -- Labels:  Assess to ensure professional labels are being used for the
     horizontal and backbone cabling and hardware using self laminating
     machine printed labels adhering to the ANSI/TIA/EIA-606-A standard.

  -- Logistics:  BICSI-Certified RCDD and Registered Technicians perform
     the assessment.  APC engineers will work to understand the entire
     scope of the project in order to properly plan and organize the
     assessment process, resulting in a high quality and in-depth cable
     infrastructure assessment service.

Cable Testing:
  -- Advanced Copper Testing:  Physically test 15% of available ports of
     the horizontal structured cabling system for compliance to current
     10GBASE-T standards (TIA TSB155, for Cat 6/Class E links 55m or less
     and TIA/EIA-568-B.2-10, for new Cat 6A/Class EA), with customer
     approval.

  -- Advanced Fiber Testing:  Physically test 15% of the Multimode and/or
     Singlemode optical fibers in compliance with TIA 526-14 and TIA 527-7
     standard at:  Both 850nm,1300 nm (MM) and 1310nm,1550nm (SM) for
     backbone links and 850nm or 1300nm for horizontal links.  The test
     reports will be available for review at the end of the assessment.

The APC Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service for the Cisco Nexus switches is available immediately in the United States and Canada and is being offered through Cisco Advanced Data Center services.