DIAMOND 4U Subrack: Maximum Density for Telecom Operators
DIAMOND 4U subrack: up to 144 fibres in 12 pull-out 7HP compact modules
For telecommunications operators with high fibre counts and limited rack space, the DIAMOND 4U subrack is the most service-friendly stage of the modular 19-inch principle: up to 12 pull-out compact modules on a 7HP pitch, up to 144 fibres in total, plus an integrated 1U cable slack drawer built into the chassis. Here is an overview of what the system delivers technically and where it differs from the VarioConnect 3U ODF system.
The 4U subrack is made by DIAMOND SA (Losone, Switzerland) — the inventor of the E-2000® connector. Fiber Products is an official DIAMOND partner and supplies the chassis together with its accessories and matching module technology from a single source. One point of clarification: the in-house brand VarioConnect covers the 1U and 3U formats — the 4U chassis is a DIAMOND product.
Technical specifications of the DIAMOND 4U subrack
The 4U chassis is a 19-inch subrack populated exclusively with pull-out compact modules on a 7HP pitch. Fibre count is therefore not fixed by hard wiring but determined by the number and type of modules installed.
| Technical data | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | DIAMOND SA (Switzerland) |
| Form factor | 19-inch subrack, 4U |
| Module slots | Up to 12 compact modules on a 7HP pitch |
| Maximum fibre capacity | 144 fibres |
| Cable management | Integrated 1U cable slack drawer |
| Module compatibility | DIAMOND compact modules and Fiber Products splice modules |
| Connector types | E-2000, LC, SC, ST |
| Article numbers | 109037 (with front panel), 109001 (cable bracket), 109000 (cable tray) |
| Warranty | 5-year manufacturer warranty |
The three article numbers denote the available versions of the subrack: 109037 is the version with a front panel, 109001 the variant with a cable bracket and 109000 the variant with a cable tray. Which version makes sense depends mainly on how cable entry is organised inside the cabinet.
Design and modularity for telecom networks
Pull-out compact modules are the core of the system. Each module can be drawn out to the front individually, without moving neighbouring modules or the fibres routed behind them. In operational terms: work on one module affects that module only.
- Up to 12 pull-out compact modules on a uniform 7HP pitch
- Front access to every individual module
- Integrated 1U cable slack drawer for fibre reserve
- Compatible with DIAMOND compact modules and with Fiber Products splice modules
- Mixed population with different connector types is possible
Because the 7HP pitch is identical across the portfolio, modules migrate with the network as it changes — between SlimConnect 1U, VarioConnect 3U and the DIAMOND 4U subrack.
4U, 3U or 1U — which format for which site?
The highest fibre count per rack unit does not automatically come from the largest chassis. What matters for sizing is how many fibres a site actually terminates and how much room cable management needs.
| Format | Brand | Capacity | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1U | SlimConnect / VarioConnect 1U | Up to 72 fibres | Floor and building distributors |
| 3U | VarioConnect (F4P) | Up to 288 fibres | Central ODF and main distribution frames |
| 4U | DIAMOND | Up to 144 fibres | Sites with high cable-management demand |
The DIAMOND 4U is therefore not the capacity peak but the most comfortable form factor: it trades one rack unit for a permanently integrated slack drawer. Where maximum fibre count per rack matters, the VarioConnect 3U with up to 288 fibres is the denser choice. Where serviceability and clean fibre reserve matter — technical rooms that get extended over many years, for instance — the 4U chassis plays to its strength.
Applications in telecom infrastructure
In backbone and distribution networks the 4U subrack acts as the central handover point between outside plant cable and active equipment. Its pull-out modules make it particularly attractive wherever patching or expansion happens frequently.
In city network main distribution frames and in FTTH deployment the subrack can be filled step by step: early build phases start with a few modules, further modules follow with the rollout — without ever swapping the chassis.
The Fiber Products quality promise: As an official DIAMOND partner and manufacturer we build modular splice systems in Europe. Benefit from Swiss precision and a 5-year manufacturer warranty on our systems.
Installation and mounting
Mounting follows the standard 19-inch procedure via the cabinet rails. The chassis is then populated module by module — populating it is the actual work step, not mounting the subrack.
- Standard 19-inch mounting in cabinet or rack
- Cable entry via cable bracket (109001) or cable tray (109000), depending on version
- Fibre reserve is stored in the integrated 1U slack drawer
- Modules can be retrofitted and exchanged individually
- Pre-terminated modules available on request
Scalability for growing telecom networks
Because fibre count comes from the modules, expansion can be planned in stages. A site can start with a basic population and grow to the full complement of 12 modules over the years — investment follows actual demand rather than a forecast.
For network operators that mainly means planning certainty: chassis, rack height and cable management are fixed from day one. Only the population changes.
Quality, origin and connectivity
The subrack is manufactured by DIAMOND SA in Losone, Switzerland. Combined with E-2000 connectivity the system reaches the insertion loss values typical for E-2000 of ≤ 0.1 dB. As an authorised partner, Fiber Products supplies both the chassis and the matching module and connector technology, with a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
Frequently asked questions about the DIAMOND 4U subrack
Is there a VarioConnect 4U?
No. VarioConnect is the in-house brand of Fiber Products and exists in the 1U and 3U formats. The 4U subrack is a DIAMOND SA product, supplied by Fiber Products as an official partner.
How many fibres does the DIAMOND 4U subrack hold?
Up to 144 fibres. The capacity comes from up to 12 pull-out compact modules on a 7HP pitch.
Why does the 3U subrack hold more fibres than the 4U subrack?
Because the 4U subrack reserves one rack unit for a permanently integrated cable slack drawer. The VarioConnect 3U uses its full height for modules and therefore reaches up to 288 fibres.
Which modules fit the chassis?
DIAMOND compact modules and Fiber Products splice modules on the 7HP pitch. Different connector types can be mixed within a single subrack.
Which versions are available?
Three variants: article 109037 with front panel, article 109001 with cable bracket and article 109000 with cable tray.
What warranty does Fiber Products offer?
Fiber Products grants a 5-year manufacturer warranty covering material and workmanship defects under intended use.
The right fibre optic solution for your network rollout
The DIAMOND 4U subrack is the right choice when serviceability and clean cable management come first. If maximum fibre count per rack height is the priority, the VarioConnect 3U is the answer.
For detailed technical information on the DIAMOND 4U chassis, on the matching DIAMOND compact modules (7HP) or on planning your telecom fibre solution, our experts are available.
You will find all modular fibre optic components directly in the Fiber Products shop – with a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
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