When it comes to choosing optical fiber systems for the data center, where and what you buy can impact your bottom line. While cable assemblies from inexpensive unfamiliar vendors such as generic cable assembly houses have their appeal from a capital expenditure standpoint, it is important to understand end face geometry, mechanical reliability, and performance specifications so you know what to ask and can ensure you are getting a product that will not ultimately cost you more in the long run —especially considering that the average cost per downtime incident can be upwards of $200K, or even more in the financial sector. And when it comes to choosing your type of fiber, that choice too can ultimately impact your bottom line. However, it can be difficult to make sense of all the choices — multimode OM4 and OM5, singlemode OS1 and OS2, and more. Let’s take a look at the key factors involved in ensuring cost-effective optical fiber systems for the data center, including reliability, performance, scalability, and application assurance.