Axiom MA-CBL-100G-50CM-AX 100GBASE-CR4 QSFP28 Passive DAC Cable - 0. 5m - 1. 6 ft Twinaxial Direct Attach Cable for Network Device - Router - Switch
Business volume discounts
Technical guidance
Preparation & staging
QC · ON · AB · BC
Product Features
Technical Overview
This DAC cable operates at 100 Gbit/s data transfer rates using the 100GBASE-CR4 standard, which utilizes four lanes of 25 Gb/s to achieve the full 100 Gb/s bandwidth. The QSFP28 connectors on both ends support hot-pluggable installation, allowing for easy maintenance and upgrades without network downtime.
The twinaxial cable construction provides excellent signal integrity for short-distance transmissions up to approximately 3 meters, with this specific model optimized for the 0.5-meter reach. The passive architecture means the cable contains no active electronics, resulting in lower power consumption and reduced heat generation compared to active optical cables or transceiver-based solutions.
Key Product Advantages
This direct attach cable offers several advantages for network administrators seeking reliable 100GbE connectivity. The passive design eliminates the need for separate transceivers and fiber optic cables, reducing both initial costs and ongoing power requirements. The twinaxial construction provides robust electrical performance while maintaining flexibility for cable management in dense rack environments.
Cost-Effective 100GbE Solution
By combining the transceiver and cable into a single integrated unit, this DAC cable provides a more economical approach to 100GbE connectivity compared to separate optical transceivers and fiber cables.
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Reduced power consumption
- Simplified inventory management
Reliable Short-Reach Performance
The twinaxial design ensures stable signal transmission for distances up to 3 meters, with this 0.5-meter cable providing optimal performance for the most common intra-rack connection scenarios.
- Excellent signal integrity
- Minimal latency
- Consistent performance
Deployment / Use Cases
This QSFP28 DAC cable is specifically designed for connecting 100GbE ports on compatible networking equipment. It serves as an ideal solution for spine-leaf architectures in data centers, high-performance computing clusters, and enterprise network cores where 100GbE uplinks are required.
Common deployment scenarios include connecting top-of-rack switches to aggregation switches, linking servers with 100GbE network interfaces to the network fabric, and establishing high-speed connections between routers in service provider environments. The cable's Meraki compatibility makes it suitable for Cisco Meraki switching environments, though it will work with any equipment supporting standard 100GBASE-CR4 QSFP28 interfaces.
Data Center Interconnects
Connect leaf switches to spine switches within the same rack or adjacent racks using this 0.5-meter DAC cable for optimal 100GbE performance in modern data center architectures.
High-Performance Computing
Establish low-latency connections between compute nodes and storage arrays in HPC environments where 100GbE networking is required for data-intensive applications.
Highlights
- 100GBASE-CR4 QSFP28 Passive DAC cable for 100 Gbit/s connectivity
- 0.5-meter (1.6-foot) twinaxial cable ideal for short-reach connections
- QSFP28 connectors on both ends for direct attachment to compatible devices
- Passive design requires no external power, reducing energy consumption
- Meraki compatible for use in Cisco Meraki switching environments
- Supports network devices, routers, and switches with 100GbE QSFP28 ports
- Hot-pluggable installation for easy maintenance and upgrades
- Lifetime limited warranty for long-term reliability assurance
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Axiom Memory Solutions |
| Manufacturer Part Number | MA-CBL-100G-50CM-AX |
| Brand Name | Axiom |
| Product Name | 100GBASE-CR4 QSFP28 Passive DAC Cable Meraki Compatible 0.5m |
| Product Type | Network Cable |
| Technical Information | |
| Cable Type | Twinaxial |
| Cable Length | 1.6 ft |
| Connector Type on First End | QSFP28 Network |
| Connector on First End Details | 1 x QSFP28 Network |
| Connector Type on Second End | QSFP28 Network |
| Connector on Second End Details | 1 x QSFP28 Network |
| Device Supported | Network Device,Router,Switch |
| Data Transfer Rate | 100 Gbit/s |
| Features | Passive |
| Warranty | |
| Limited Warranty | Lifetime |
FAQ
What is the maximum distance this DAC cable supports?
This 100GBASE-CR4 QSFP28 Passive DAC cable is designed for short-reach connections up to approximately 3 meters. The specific model shown here has a length of 0.5 meters (1.6 feet), making it ideal for connecting devices within the same rack or adjacent equipment in data center and enterprise environments.
What types of devices is this cable compatible with?
This DAC cable is compatible with network devices, routers, and switches that feature 100GbE QSFP28 ports supporting the 100GBASE-CR4 standard. It has been verified for compatibility with Cisco Meraki switching environments and will work with any equipment that adheres to the standard QSFP28 interface specifications for 100GBASE-CR4 connections.
What does 'passive' mean for a DAC cable?
A passive DAC cable contains no active electronics or signal conditioning components. This means the cable relies solely on the electrical properties of the copper conductors to transmit signals, resulting in lower power consumption, reduced heat generation, and typically lower cost compared to active DAC cables or optical transceiver solutions. Passive DAC cables are ideal for short-distance connections where signal integrity can be maintained without amplification.
Can this cable be used for distances longer than 0.5 meters?
This specific model is manufactured at a fixed length of 0.5 meters (1.6 feet). For longer distances up to approximately 3 meters, you would need to select a different DAC cable with the appropriate length. The 100GBASE-CR4 standard supports passive DAC cables up to 3 meters, but performance characteristics vary by length, so it's important to choose the correct cable length for your specific deployment requirements.