Every dB counts if you want to experience speeds of 10G to 40G over long distances. If a fiber optic patch cable has not passed these three tests — 3D surface inspection, endface cleanliness, and IL/RL validation that means it is not ready for mission critical networks. At its core, a fiber patch cord is the bridge that links active equipment to the structured cabling system, but this bridge carries fragile pulses of light that are extremely sensitive to imperfections. Patch cords that appear acceptable at lower speeds may become unstable as data rates increase and cable routing density grows. Single-mode Fiber (SMF): suitable for long-distance transmission, typical specifications for OS2, can support from 10km. As network applications require more bandwidth and transmission speeds continue to climb from 1 and 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) to 40 and 100 Gbps, loss budgets have become tighter than ever.