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Cisco XR 12000 Series Router Ethernet Line Card Installation
OL-7861-01
Cabling and Specifications
Figure 42 Attaching Simplex or Duplex Fiber Cables (Line Card Port or GBIC)
Note The fiber-optic connectors must be free of dust, oil, or other contaminants. Carefully clean the fiber-
optic connectors using an alcohol wipe or other suitable cleanser.
Cleaning Fiber-Optic Connectors
Fiber-optic connectors are used to connect two fibers together. When these connectors are used in a
communication system, proper connection becomes a critical factor. They can be damaged by improper
cleaning and connection procedures. Dirty or damaged fiber-optic connectors can result in
communication that is inaccurate or not repeatable.
Fiber-optic connectors differ from electrical or microwave connectors. In a fiber-optic system, light is
transmitted through an extremely small fiber core. Because fiber cores are often 62.5 microns or less in
diameter, and dust particles range from a tenth of a micron to several microns in diameter, dust and any
other contamination at the end of the fiber core can degrade the performance of the connector interface
where the two cores meet. Therefore, the connector must be precisely aligned and the connector interface
must be absolutely free of foreign material.
Connector loss, or insertion loss, is a critical performance characteristic of a fiber-optic connector.
Return loss is also an important factor. Return loss specifies the amount of reflected light: the lower the
reflection, the better the connection. The best physical contact connectors have return losses of better
than –40 dB, but –20 to –30 dB is more common.
The connection quality depends on two factors: the type of connector and the proper cleaning and
connection techniques. Dirty fiber connectors are a common source of light loss. Keep the connectors
clean at all times, and keep the dust plugs or covers installed when the connectors are not in use.
Before installing any type of cable or connector, use a lint-free alcohol pad from a cleaning kit to clean
the ferrule, the protective tube or cone that surrounds the fiber core, and the end-face surface of the fiber
core.
As a general rule, any time you detect a significant, unexplained loss of light, clean the connectors. To
clean the optical connectors, use a CLETOP fiber optic cleaning cassette (Type A for SC connectors)
and follow the manufacturer’s usage instructions.
If a CLETOP cleaning cassette is not available, follow these steps:
17464
Simplex
Duplex
RX
TX
22553
FAST ETHERNET
Duplex
Simplex
TX
RX