AddOn 02310MUK-AO QSFP+ to 4xSFP+ Direct Attach Cable - 40GbE Passive Twinax - 1m - 3. 3 ft - Copper - TAA Compliant
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Product Features
Technical Overview
This direct attach cable operates at a 40 Gbit/s data transfer rate, supporting 40GbE standards over a passive twinaxial copper medium. The QSFP+ connector on one end interfaces with 40GbE switches or adapters, while the four SFP+ connectors on the opposite end provide breakout capability to 10GbE devices. The passive design means no signal retiming or electrical-to-optical conversion, resulting in lower latency and power draw compared to active optical cables.
The 30 AWG copper conductors ensure signal integrity over the 1-meter distance, suitable for top-of-rack deployments and inter-rack connections within the same cabinet. The cable is hot-pluggable, supporting live insertion and removal in compatible QSFP+ and SFP+ ports without network disruption.
Key Product Advantages
This cable offers several distinct advantages for modern network infrastructure. The QSFP+ to 4xSFP+ breakout configuration maximizes port utilization, allowing network architects to connect multiple 10GbE devices to a single 40GbE uplink efficiently. The passive twinax construction eliminates the need for external power, reducing complexity and potential points of failure in dense deployments.
Cost-Effective Connectivity
Compared to separate optical transceivers and fiber patches, this direct attach cable provides a lower-cost solution for short-reach 40GbE links, with no additional transceiver modules required.
- Eliminates transceiver costs
- Reduces power consumption
- Simplifies inventory management
Reliable Performance
The copper twinax design offers consistent electrical performance with minimal signal degradation over the 1-meter distance, ensuring stable 40GbE operation in controlled environments.
- 30 AWG copper conductors
- Passive signal transmission
- TAA compliant construction
Deployment / Use Cases
This direct attach cable is ideal for data center environments where high-speed, short-reach connections are required between switches, servers, and storage arrays. The breakout capability makes it particularly useful for connecting 40GbE aggregation switches to 10GbE top-of-rack switches or servers with SFP+ interfaces.
Common deployment scenarios include spine-leaf architectures where 40GbE spine switches connect to multiple 10GbE leaf switches, high-performance computing clusters requiring low-latency interconnects, and storage area networks linking storage controllers to disk arrays. The 1-meter length is optimized for within-rack or adjacent-rack connections in standard data center cabinets.
Data Center Rack Deployment
Connect 40GbE switches to 10GbE servers or storage within the same rack, minimizing cable clutter and optimizing airflow management.
- Within-rack connections
- Cable management friendly
- Hot-pluggable for maintenance
Network Aggregation
Use the breakout capability to aggregate multiple 10GbE links into a single 40GbE uplink, improving bandwidth utilization and reducing port requirements on core switches.
- Port consolidation
- Bandwidth aggregation
- Simplified topology
Highlights
- QSFP+ to 4xSFP+ direct attach cable with 40GbE data transfer rate
- Passive twinax copper design requires no external power
- 1-meter (3.3-foot) length ideal for within-rack connections
- Breakout capability connects one 40GbE port to four 10GbE devices
- 30 AWG copper construction ensures signal integrity
- TAA compliant for U.S. government procurement eligibility
- Hot-pluggable for live insertion and removal
- Lifetime warranty for long-term reliability assurance
- Manufactured in the United States
- Compatible with standard QSFP+ and SFP+ network ports
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | AddOn |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 02310MUK-AO |
| Brand Name | AddOn |
| Product Name | QSFP+/SFP+ Network Cable |
| Packaged Quantity | 1.0 |
| Product Type | Network Cable |
| Technical Information | |
| Cable Type | Twinaxial |
| Cable Length | 3.3 ft (1 m) |
| Connector Type on First End | QSFP+ Network |
| Connector on First End Details | 1 x QSFP+ Network |
| Connector Type on Second End | SFP+ Network |
| Connector on Second End Details | 4 x SFP+ Network |
| Device Supported | Network Device |
| American Wire Gauge | 30 AWG |
| Data Transfer Rate | 40 Gbit/s |
| Features | Passive |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Product Material | Copper |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| TAA Compliant | Yes |
| Warranty | |
| Limited Warranty | Lifetime |
User Manual
FAQ
What is the main purpose of this QSFP+ to 4xSFP+ direct attach cable?
This cable provides breakout connectivity from a single 40GbE QSFP+ port to four 10GbE SFP+ ports. It's designed for data center environments where you need to connect multiple 10GbE devices to a 40GbE aggregation point, such as linking a 40GbE spine switch to multiple 10GbE leaf switches or servers. The 1-meter length makes it ideal for within-rack or adjacent-rack deployments.
What does 'passive' mean for this direct attach cable?
Passive means the cable contains no active electronic components for signal retiming or amplification. It uses simple copper conductors to transmit electrical signals directly between connectors. This results in lower power consumption, reduced heat generation, and typically lower cost compared to active cables, though with distance limitations (this cable is optimized for 1-meter connections). Passive cables are ideal for short-reach applications where signal integrity can be maintained without active components.
What are the advantages of twinax copper construction?
Twinaxial (twinax) copper construction uses two concentric conductors that provide excellent signal integrity for high-speed data transmission over short distances. The 30 AWG copper conductors in this cable ensure minimal signal loss and electromagnetic interference at 40GbE speeds. Compared to fiber optic solutions, twinax cables are generally more cost-effective for short reaches, require no optical transceivers, and have lower latency since they don't need electrical-to-optical conversion.
What does TAA compliance mean for this product?
TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliance means this product meets the requirements of the U.S. Trade Agreements Act, which governs procurement by U.S. federal government agencies. Specifically, it indicates the cable is manufactured in the United States or another TAA-designated country. This compliance makes the product eligible for purchase by government entities and contractors who must adhere to TAA sourcing requirements.
What types of devices is this cable compatible with?
This cable is compatible with network devices featuring standard QSFP+ ports on one end and SFP+ ports on the other end. It works with 40GbE switches, network interface cards, and adapters that accept QSFP+ connections, and 10GbE switches, servers, storage arrays, and other devices with SFP+ interfaces. The cable follows industry-standard electrical specifications for direct attach copper cables, ensuring interoperability with equipment from multiple vendors that support the QSFP+ and SFP+ form factors.
What is the maximum recommended distance for this direct attach cable?
This 1-meter (3.3-foot) cable is optimized for short-reach connections typically within a single data center rack or between adjacent racks. Passive twinax cables generally support distances up to 5-7 meters for 40GbE, but this specific cable is designed and tested for reliable performance at 1 meter. For longer distances, active optical cables or fiber optic solutions with transceivers would be more appropriate, as passive copper cables experience signal degradation over greater lengths.