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Axiom CAB-Q-4S-100G-3M-AX 100GBASE-CR4 QSFP28 to 4x SFP28 Passive DAC Twinaxial Cable - 3m (9. 8 ft) Arista Compatible
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Product Features
Technical Overview
This DAC cable implements the 100GBASE-CR4 Ethernet standard, which specifies 100 Gb/s transmission over four lanes of twinaxial copper. The QSFP28 connector on one end houses four 25 Gb/s electrical lanes that map directly to the four SFP28 connectors on the opposite end, maintaining signal integrity across the 3-meter span.
The twinaxial construction provides superior EMI shielding and impedance control compared to standard twisted-pair copper, ensuring reliable 100GbE performance without bit errors. The cable is mechanically keyed to prevent incorrect insertion and supports hot-pluggable installation in compatible network devices.
Key Product Advantages
This cable delivers several practical benefits for network architects managing high-speed infrastructure. The passive twinaxial design offers a plug-and-play solution that reduces both initial deployment costs and ongoing operational expenses compared to optical alternatives.
Cost Efficiency
Eliminates the need for separate optical transceivers at each end, significantly reducing per-port costs while maintaining full 100GbE performance.
- No transceiver purchases required
- Lower power consumption than active cables
- Reduced heat load in network cabinets
Simplified Deployment
The pre-terminated connectors and fixed length eliminate field termination errors and reduce installation time compared to custom fiber runs.
- Factory-terminated for reliability
- No polishing or cleaning required
- Consistent performance out of the box
Compatibility Assurance
Designed specifically for Arista network platforms, ensuring reliable operation without compatibility concerns that can arise with third-party cables.
- Tested with Arista hardware
- Mechanical keying prevents misinsertion
- Hot-pluggable for live installations
Deployment / Use Cases
This cable is ideal for connecting top-of-rack switches to servers or storage arrays in high-performance computing environments, financial trading platforms, and media production facilities where low latency and high bandwidth are critical.
Common deployment scenarios include connecting a 100GbE QSFP28 switch port to four 25GbE SFP28 server NICs in a breakout configuration, creating cost-effective 25GbE server connectivity while utilizing the full bandwidth of 100GbE uplinks. The 3-meter length makes it suitable for within-rack or adjacent-rack connections in standard data center cabinets.
Data Center Server Connectivity
Connect modern servers with 25GbE interfaces to 100GbE leaf switches, providing balanced bandwidth distribution without oversubscription.
Storage Array Connections
Link high-performance storage systems to network switches, ensuring fast data transfer for virtualization, database, and analytics workloads.
Highlights
- 100GBASE-CR4 QSFP28 to 4x SFP28 passive DAC cable
- 3-meter (9.8-foot) twinaxial construction for reliable 100GbE performance
- Breakout configuration supports one 100GbE port to four 25GbE ports
- Arista network device compatibility for assured operation
- Passive design reduces power consumption and heat generation
- Hot-pluggable installation for live network maintenance
- Cost-effective alternative to optical transceivers and fiber
- Environmentally friendly RoHS-compliant materials
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Axiom Memory Solutions |
| Manufacturer Part Number | CAB-Q-4S-100G-3M-AX |
| Brand Name | Axiom |
| Product Name | 100GBASE-CR4 QSFP28 to 4 x 25GbE SFP28 Passive DAC Arista Compatible 3m |
| Product Type | Network Cable |
| Technical Information | |
| Cable Type | Twinaxial |
| Cable Length | 9.8 ft |
| Connector Type on First End | QSFP28 Network |
| Connector on First End Details | 1 x QSFP28 Network |
| Connector Type on Second End | SFP28 Network |
| Connector on Second End Details | 4 x SFP28 Network |
| Device Supported | Network Device |
| Data Transfer Rate | 100 Gbit/s |
| Features | Passive |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Environmentally Friendly | Yes |
FAQ
What is the difference between this passive DAC and an active optical cable?
This passive DAC uses electrical signaling over copper without signal retiming, making it lower power and more cost-effective for short reaches up to 3 meters. Active optical cables convert electrical signals to optical and back, supporting longer distances but with higher cost and power consumption. For within-rack connections under 3 meters, passive DAC provides the most economical 100GbE solution.
Can I use this cable with non-Arista network equipment?
While designed and tested specifically for Arista compatibility, the cable follows standard 100GBASE-CR4 specifications and may work with other vendors' QSFP28 and SFP28 ports. However, for guaranteed performance and reliability, we recommend using it with Arista platforms as intended. Always verify compatibility with your specific switch and NIC models before deployment.
What does the '4' in 100GBASE-CR4 indicate?
The '4' refers to the four 25 Gb/s lanes that combine to create the 100 Gb/s total bandwidth. This cable breaks out one 100GbE QSFP28 connection into four separate 25GbE SFP28 connections, allowing a single high-speed switch port to connect to multiple servers or storage devices. Each of the four SFP28 connectors carries 25 Gb/s of traffic independently.
Is this cable suitable for outdoor or harsh environments?
No, this is an indoor data center cable designed for controlled environments. The twinaxial construction provides good EMI shielding for within-rack installations but isn't rated for outdoor use, direct burial, or environments with excessive moisture, temperature extremes, or physical abrasion. For such applications, specialized outdoor-rated fiber optic solutions would be more appropriate.
| Qty | Price | Available |
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