Fiber: The cable behind the cloud

Cloud computing technology powers today's data-driven world. An estimated 3.6 billion consumers worldwide access cloud-based products, analysts for Juniper Research found. And, adoption rates are even higher in the business arena, where 96 percent of organizations across the globe are taking advantage of cloud services or experimenting with Software-as-a-Service platforms, according to research from RightScale. This cloud-based infrastructure supports numerous cutting-edge technologies, including the billions of connected devices that constitute the Internet of Things. However, cloud solutions do not function in isolation. Hardwired networks stretching across the globe power the cloud, most of which center on complex fiber optic cabling installations.

An undersea foundation

Approximately 448 cables crisscross the seabed, shuttling massive amounts of information among users spread across all seven continents, according to analysis from TeleGeography. These fiber optic fixtures, which are roughly the diameter of a garden hose, vary in length. For instance, the Asia-America Gateway line connecting the U.S. mainland and various countries in East Asia measures more than 12,420 miles, while the CeltixConnect cable traversing the English Channel extends a mere 81 miles. These connective assets form the backbone of the internet support the technological innovations of scale, including expansive cloud-based data sharing and storage platforms, that leverage its connective power. The undersea cabling networks that buttress the cloud continue to evolve. Technology giants such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft are driving the latest developments, The Economist reported. These firms have launched subsea fiber network development initiatives in an effort to take full ownership of large swaths of the internet. Such programs could increase bandwidth and reduce latency, while also lowering costs for cable operators and consumers. Google in particular is moving quickly to shore up and expand its private subsea networks and plans to lay three new cables across the North Sea, an area of the Atlantic Ocean that borders portions of the several European countries, including U.K., France and Germany, according to The Wall Street Journal. Why? The search company seeks to bolster its cloud-computing solutions.

Local connections and the cloud

Businesses and consumers across the globe have begun taking advantage of local fiber optic networks that serve the same purpose as those found beneath the ocean. The widespread adoption of cloud technology is the driving force behind the trend, as fiber-to-premises installations are by far the best options for individuals or entities storing and transferring large amounts of data via cloud computing solutions. Within three years, an estimated 94 percent of data will be processed in the cloud, according to Cisco. This means fiber optic assemblies, those found beneath both the sea and land, will increase in importance. Organizations of all sizes must consider their networking needs in the context of these trends and consider putting into place future-proof fiber designed to support cloud-based operations.

LANshack is here to assist companies seeking to do just that. We specialize in pre-terminated fiber optic assemblies designed to support businesses of all sizes, in every industry. Contact us today to learn how we've been helping enterprises stay connected for more than 20 years.