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Product Features
Technical Overview
This cable implements the 25GBASE-CU standard, which defines 25 Gigabit Ethernet over copper twinaxial cabling. The SFP28 connector on one end interfaces directly with SFP28 ports on switches, routers, or network interface cards, while the Twinax Network connector on the opposite end completes the direct-attach connection to compatible devices.
The twinaxial construction provides balanced transmission lines that minimize electromagnetic interference, supporting the full 25 Gbit/s bandwidth over the 9.8-foot distance. This passive DAC (Direct Attach Copper) cable eliminates the need for separate transceivers, reducing both cost and power consumption compared to active optical solutions for short-range applications.
Key Product Advantages
This cable delivers several practical benefits for network administrators and data center operators seeking reliable high-speed connectivity solutions.
Simplified Deployment
The direct-attach design eliminates compatibility concerns between separate transceivers and cables, ensuring plug-and-play connectivity between SFP28-enabled devices.
- No external power required
- Reduced component count
- Lower latency than optical solutions
Cost-Effective Performance
Passive twinaxial cables provide the most economical path to 25 Gbit/s connectivity for distances up to 10 meters, offering significant savings over active copper or optical alternatives.
- Lower power consumption
- Reduced thermal load
- Minimal maintenance requirements
Reliable Signal Integrity
Twinaxial construction with proper impedance matching ensures clean signal transmission at 25 Gbit/s speeds, maintaining data integrity across the entire cable length.
- Balanced transmission lines
- Minimized EMI/RFI interference
- Stable electrical characteristics
Deployment / Use Cases
This 25GBASE-CU SFP28 Passive DAC Twinax Cable serves multiple roles in modern networking infrastructure where high-speed, short-reach connections are required.
In data center environments, it's ideal for connecting top-of-rack switches to servers within the same rack or adjacent racks. The 9.8-foot length provides sufficient reach for most intra-rack applications while maintaining signal quality. Enterprise networking deployments benefit from these cables for connecting core switches to distribution switches or for high-speed links between network appliances in server rooms.
Data Center Interconnects
Connect leaf-spine switches, storage arrays, and high-performance servers within the same rack or between adjacent racks in hyper-converged infrastructure deployments.
High-Performance Computing
Establish 25 Gbit/s links between compute nodes, storage systems, and network fabrics in HPC clusters where low latency and high bandwidth are critical.
Highlights
- 25 Gbit/s data transfer rate for high-speed network connections
- 9.8-foot twinaxial cable length ideal for rack-to-rack deployments
- SFP28 Network connector on first end for direct SFP28 port compatibility
- Twinax Network connector on second end for complete direct-attach solution
- Passive design requires no external power or configuration
- 25GBASE-CU standard compliance ensures interoperability
- Direct Attach Copper (DAC) technology simplifies deployment
- Twinaxial construction provides reliable signal integrity
- Suitable for connecting various network devices in data center environments
- Cost-effective alternative to active optical cables for short distances
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Axiom Memory Solutions |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 10521-AX |
| Brand Name | Axiom |
| Product Name | 25GBASE-CU SFP28 Passive DAC Twinax Cable Extreme Compatible 3m |
| Product Type | Network Cable |
| Technical Information | |
| Cable Type | Twinaxial |
| Cable Length | 9.8 ft |
| Connector Type on First End | SFP28 Network |
| Connector on First End Details | SFP28 Network |
| Connector Type on Second End | Twinax Network |
| Connector on Second End Details | TwinaNetwork |
| Device Supported | Network Device |
| Data Transfer Rate | 25 Gbit/s |
| Features | Passive |
FAQ
What devices are compatible with this SFP28 DAC cable?
This cable is compatible with network devices featuring SFP28 ports, including switches, routers, network interface cards, and storage arrays that support 25GBASE-CU connections. The SFP28 connector interfaces directly with SFP28 ports, while the Twinax Network connector completes the connection to compatible equipment. It's designed for data center and enterprise networking environments where 25 Gbit/s connectivity is required over short distances.
What is the maximum distance for reliable 25 Gbit/s performance?
This 25GBASE-CU SFP28 Passive DAC Twinax Cable is engineered for reliable 25 Gbit/s performance up to 10 meters (approximately 32.8 feet). The 9.8-foot length provided ensures optimal signal integrity within this range. For distances beyond 10 meters, active copper or optical solutions would be recommended to maintain data integrity at 25 Gbit/s speeds.
How does passive DAC differ from active DAC or optical cables?
Passive DAC cables like this Axiom 10521-AX contain no signal conditioning electronics, drawing power directly from the host device's SFP28 port. This makes them more cost-effective and power-efficient than active DAC cables (which include signal amplification) or optical cables (which require separate transceivers). Passive DAC is ideal for short-reach applications up to 10 meters where signal integrity can be maintained without additional electronics.
Can this cable be used for 10 Gbit/s or 40 Gbit/s connections?
This cable is specifically designed for 25 Gbit/s connections using the 25GBASE-CU standard. While it may physically connect to some 10 Gbit/s SFP+ ports, optimal performance is only guaranteed at 25 Gbit/s. For 40 Gbit/s connections, you would need QSFP+ DAC cables designed for that specific data rate and connector interface.