The Luna Quarterly

The rapid growth of data centers is being driven by the rising demand for cloud, colocation and financial trading services, as well as the adoption of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), AI, and machine learning. Luna Innovations offers multiple fiber optic-based solutions to ensure a successful installation, continuous operation and maintenance of data centers. 

First, to verify that the fiber optic network within data centers is free of defects, Luna’s OBR reflectometers can screen optical fibers up to 2 km. With less than 1 mm resolution, the OBR can identify unusual high optical reflection and loss events caused by bad connectors, contaminated fiber end-faces, bad splices and/or tight bends. The -130 dB sensitivity can even pinpoint locations with micro bends so that bad fiber sections can be eliminated. And for applications where accurate optical length measurement is needed, such as in financial data centers, the OBR can measure latency with picosecond accuracy.

Learn more about: Testing and Latency Certification within Data Centers

Next, Luna’s Perimeter Intrusion and Detection System (PIDS), developed by OptaSense, provides early detection and assessment for protecting data centers. Unlike conventional sensors and security systems, our fiber optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) system provides continuous and real-time multi-threat detection, classification, and precise location within seconds, significantly reducing false alarms with seamless, cost-effective installation. The generated alerts can cause responses to be activated or can be propagated to an operator’s integrated central dashboard, providing the client with ultimate flexibility. 

Learn more about: Perimeter Security for Data Centers

Finally, Luna Innovations also offers monitoring solutions for data center to data center connections. The OptaSense QuantX DAS interrogator uses the pre-installed dark fiber as a sensing medium to provide real-time monitoring of critical links between data centers. With up to 100 km sensing range and  2m sensor spacing, the QuantX solution can detect, classify and precisely locate noteworthy activities, including people, vehicle movement, manual and mechanical digging, and other disturbances along the fiber route. Multiple systems can simultaneously report mission-critical parameters and events to OptaSense’s cloud portal, thus, providing clients continuous assurance of performance.

Learn more about: Systems for Monitoring Fiber Optic Links Between Data Centers