A cabling arrangement to optically couple data servers to network switches utilizes bidirectional optical fibers (e.g., multi-mode). Some types of cabling arrangements include one or more distribution modules, at least two distribution cables, and a plurality of duplex cables. Other types of cabling arrangement include one or more distribution modules, at least two distribution cables, two configuration modules, a plurality of configuration cables, and a plurality of duplex cables. The cabling arrangement may be passive and/or colorless.

An optical-fiber ribbon includes optical fibers (e.g., reduced-diameter optical fibers) arranged in parallel within optical-fiber units, wherein at least one adjacent pair of optical-fiber units is separated by a longitudinal adhesive-free spacing for a portion of the optical-fiber ribbon's length. Typically, each adjacent pair of optical-fiber units is separated by an adhesive-free spacing for a respective portion of the optical-fiber assembly's longitudinal length. In an exemplary embodiment, longitudinal adhesive-free spacings effectively increase the width of an optical-fiber ribbon formed of reduced-diameter optical fibers so that the optical-fiber ribbon achieves a more conventional optical-fiber ribbon width, thereby facilitating mass-fusion splicing using standard splicing equipment.

An optical-fiber ribbon includes intermittent gaps along its longitudinal length in which no bonding material is present across the width of the optical-fiber ribbon. These intermittent gaps without bonding material (e.g., adhesive beads) help to reduce or eliminate bonding-material interference as the optical-fiber ribbon is positioned within an alignment chuck during preparations for mass-fusion splicing.

This intermittent connection-type optical fiber tape core is configured in a manner such that in a state where a plurality of optical fiber cores are arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of said plurality of optical fiber cores, some or all of the intervals between the plurality of optical fiber cores are intermittently provided in the lengthwise direction with connected sections where the intervals between adjacent optical fiber cores are connected and non-connected sections where the intervals between adjacent optical fiber cores are not connected. The outer diameter of each of the plurality of optical fiber cores is 160-220 μm, inclusive. The catenary amount of the tip end of the intermittent connection-type optical fiber tape core projecting from the held location is 0.1-2 mm, inclusive, in a given state.

A rollable optical fiber ribbon utilizing low attenuation, bend insensitive fibers and cables incorporating such rollable ribbons are provided. The optical fibers are supported by a ribbon body, and the ribbon body is formed from a flexible material such that the optical fibers are reversibly movable from an unrolled position to a rolled position. The optical fibers have a large mode filed diameter, such as ≥9 microns at 1310 nm facilitating low attenuation splicing/connectorization. The optical fibers are also highly bend insensitive, such as having a macrobend loss of ≤0.5 dB/turn at 1550 nm for a mandrel diameter of 15 mm.

An intermittent tape core wire (140) of an optical fiber cable is assembled into a cable core so that in a k core wire, an l core wire, and an m core wire composed of a multi-core optical fibers continuously adjacent in the width direction of the intermittent tape core wire (140), a difference θ between a core wire twisting direction D2.sub.km of the k core wire at a bonding portion (142) connecting the k core wire and the l core wire and a core wire twisting direction D2.sub.kl of the k core wire at a bonding portion (142) connecting the k core wire and the m core wire is different from when manufactured.

An optical communication cable includes a cable jacket formed from a first material, a plurality of core elements located within the cable jacket, and an armor layer surrounding the plurality of core elements within the cable jacket, wherein the armor layer is a multi-piece layer having a first armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements and a second armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements, wherein a first lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a first lateral edge of the second armor segment and a second lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a second lateral edge of the second armor segment such that the combination of the first armor segment and the second armor segment completely surround the plurality of core elements.

An optical fiber cable includes: a sheath; a core that is housed in the sheath and comprises optical fibers; tensile strength members embedded in the sheath; and ripcords embedded in the sheath. Recesses and protrusions are disposed alternately in a circumferential direction on an outer circumferential surface of the sheath. The recesses each include: two connecting portions respectively connected to radial inner ends of two adjacent protrusions; and a bottom surface positioned between the two connecting portions. In a transverse cross-sectional view, the ripcords are positioned inside some of the protrusions, and the tensile strength members are positioned inside the remaining protrusions.

An interconnect system for a building includes a pre-terminated trunk cable assembly that has different groups of optical fibers carried by subunits and terminated by ferrules. The interconnect system also includes trays for managing interconnections with the ferrules. A plurality of adapters are disposed on each tray and arranged in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the tray. The adapters may be oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis to facilitate routing of the optical fibers. At least one tray mount receiver may also be provided on each tray to cooperate with a tray mount that can secure a select subunit to the tray.

A fiber optic cable assembly comprises: a cable jacket; distinct groups of optical fibers carried within the cable jacket and extending beyond a first end of the cable jacket; a furcation body positioned on the first end of the cable jacket such that the distinct groups of optical fibers have respective fiber end sections extending beyond the furcation body; and a pulling grip assembly protecting the fiber end sections. The pulling grip assembly includes a pulling band releasably secured to the cable jacket by a clamp, and is configured to withstand significant tensile loads despite being easily removable.