Client profile: Ringier Axel Springer Polska
Besides cloud solutions, RASP maintains a physical co-location infrastructure responsible for hosting, data processing, and the delivery of Internet services to millions of users. It consistently invests in cutting-edge technologies and solutions to ensure the high quality of service, data security, and reliability of its server infrastructure.
Customer need: To organize cabling and become independent of subcontractors welding fiber optics. The overarching goal was, obviously, to optimize and modernize the server infrastructure.
Challenge: Increasing the efficiency of rack space use and saving colocation costs.
What did we propose? Implementing the GBC Photonics InterConnection System (ICS) makes connecting points in different racks, kiosks, or Data Center chambers easier, saves time, and increases flexibility in cable management. The system is based on switches, connectors, and extenders. The devices are passive, introduce low insertion loss, and need no power supply or operating software. The system features easy installation and allows quadruple utilization of rack space.
Effects of implementation: Ringier Axel Springer Polska's old infrastructure consisted of 14 rack cabinets, consuming a total of about 66U of patch panel space. The new infrastructure used 17 rack cabinets, one of which serves as a patch panel cabinet.
All racks were equipped with GBC Photonics ICS, which reduced patch panel space consumption to 26U. Space savings amounted to 40U, which currently (as of 2023) translates into a savings of about 300$ per month, taking into account the colocation cost of 8$ net per 1U.
Each rack leaves 50 percent space for future expansion if needed (without taking up another U in the rack where servers may already be mounted).
„Savings are important, but so is independence. Should we want to move the co-location to another place, the GBC Photonics patch panels can simply be unwrapped and spliced at the destination ourselves, without hiring a fiber welding company to do so. The thing that certainly pleasant to look at is the clarity of cable management," stresses Bartosz Mikrut, Senior System Engineer, Ringier Axel Springer Poland.
Benefits for the customer:
- Space savings: Reduce patch panel space consumption from 66U to 26U.
- Cost savings: Monthly savings of about 300 $ by reducing the occupied space by 40U (8$ net per 1U).
- Flexible expansion: 50% space is left in each rack for future expansion, without taking up another U in the rack where servers may already be mounted.
- Easier installation: Deploying GBC Photonics ICS makes cable management easier. Doesn't require on-site fiber optic welding, meaning no need to hire external crews either.
- Scalability: Easily expand the infrastructure in the future according to the customer's needs.
By implementing the GBC Photonics InterConnection System, Onet gained more efficient use of rack space, cost savings, greater flexibility and simplicity in managing its server infrastructure. The new infrastructure has performed so well that a second location is planned to be wired in a similar fashion.
What is GBC Photonics ICS?
GBC Photonics ICS is a modular system that offers compatible components, allowing the user to easily connect them according to individual needs, like building blocks. It provides simplicity in connections, eliminating the need for welding and running multiple cable bundles, making connections more straightforward and reliable. GBC Photonics ICS switches are housed in a drawer-type chassis, occupying a single slot in a dedicated chassis, allowing up to 4 devices to fit in 1U, resulting in significant space savings.
The system offers a versatile solution through the availability of Singlemode and Multimode devices with different types of adapters. In addition, GBC Photonics ICS does not require specialized skills from the user, and the cables are connected in a simple, plug-and-play manner. The increased flexibility of the system makes it easy to connect points in different racks, kiosks or Data Center chambers, which is a great convenience and advantage in infrastructure management.
Michal Grzybowski, Business Development Manager of the Data Center sector, was responsible for the implementation of the project on the part of Salumanus.
Are you interested in implementing a similar solution? Write to our expert: michal.grzybowski@salumanus.com
