3M, the company that brought the world Scotch Magic Tape and Post-it Notes, is now launching Volition—an economically affordable optical fiber-to-the-desktop cabling system that provides virtually unlimited bandwidth. Ceitronics is the first systems integrator in Northern California to be named as a Volition SystemTM Integration Professional (VIP) for the new Volition Cabling system, which halves the cost of souping up local area networks for high bandwidth uses like video conferencing, three-dimensional modeling, and multimedia.

The Volition system also takes the “dark science” out of fiber optic installation, which has a reputation for being labor intensive. Because of the Volition system’s precise engineering, a duplex connection can be terminated in two minutes or less, significantly slashing the time it traditionally takes for fiber optic installation.

Just what is the Volition system and how does it work? Volition is a complete fiber-to-the-desktop cabling system. By using the Volition system, network managers can, for the first time, gain the benefits of fiber with no cost premium compared to copper. The Volition system is based on fiber optics.

Fiber optic data transmissions offer performance characteristics that are designed to meet requirements for the foreseeable future. Category 5 copper-based installations can only transmit data up to distances of about 90 to 100 meters for premises networks. Fiber has a much greater transmission distance than Cat 5, up to 2000 meters. Because of Cat 5’s one hundred meter distance limitation, numerous network equipment rooms are needed to house local hubs of Cat 5 networking installations—usually one per floor. Because of fiber’s much greater transmission distance, total fiber infrastructures like Volition don’t require network equipment rooms on each floor, saving valuable closet space.

The heart of the Volition system is the VF-45 connector.TM The Volition connector has a plug and socket and installs in only two minutes, at one-seventh the cost per termination of the duplex SC connector.

“When 3M came out with the Volition system this year, all the reasons why people steered away from using fiber in horizontal applications were resolved,” said Aaron Colton, President of Ceitronics. “We can now install a system with unlimited bandwidth that is reliable, cost effective, and not limited to distance—and you can put your closet virtually anywhere you want in the building. It’s only going to be a matter of time before the market says, ‘Why are we killing ourselves trying to install copper, or expecting copper to deliver information over large bandwidth applications, when we can do the same thing just as economically with fiber, and not compromise performance?’”

“Traditional fiber installation involves a multi-step process in which connections between individual fibers are literally hand crafted; they are stripped, glued and polished, and then tested to be sure the fiber ends are terminated properly,” said Colton. “The Volition interconnect is twice as fast. Two fibers at once are prepared for each Volition connection. We slide them into the groove two at a time, without epoxy. The interconnect is small, dust free, and not easily damaged.”

“Ceitronics was also interested in Volition because it’s an end-to-end solution,” said Colton. “All the pieces you need are incorporated into the product line. You don’t have to go hunting around for a piece that’s been left out or forgotten in the chain. The Volition system includes the connector, the patch panels, the wall plate on the wall, the network interface that slides into the back of the PC, the cable itself, the connection fields, and the media converters. In addition, networking equipment is now available with the VF-45 connector on the backplane.

“3M also works with manufacturers of hubs and switches and media converters who offer VF-45 Volition connectors on the back plane. It makes the system really easy to install, plug, and play.”

John A. Roesser of 3M’s Telecom Systems Division in San Jose said Ceitronics was chosen as the Bay Area’s first Volition system vendor because of its strong fiber optic sales, as well as its cabling design, installation, maintenance and training capabilities. Roesser said Ceitronics has been involved developmentally with Volition system research over the past several years, especially in the installation and pricing strategy areas.

“The Volition system’s fiber to the desktop technology represents a paradigm shift in the computer industry,” said Roesser. “Its introduction can be compared to the shift from the horse and buggy to the automobile. The Volition system will transform how information is created, presented and assimilated. It will change how people interact in the work place and how business does business.”

Early users of the Volition System include George Washington University, the Internet manufacturing consortium InfoTest, Powell School District in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the Argonne National Laboratory. The Volition connector is tested to ISO-11801 and the current TIA-568a premises cabling standards and the corresponding components standards. The Fibre Channel Association ASC-x3511 Technical Committee adopted the design in February 1997 as the new, small-form-factor interface for future variants of Fibre Channel.

For more information about the Volition System, contact Aaron Colton directly at 408-452-5000 or email him at aaron@ceitronics.com, or email John Roesser of 3M at jaroesser@mmm.com.

Illustrations
1. Project Management Model
2. Copper vs. 3M's Volition Cabling System

Other Features
1. Newly awarded Ceitronics Projects
2. Volition System Components