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Axiom QSFP-H40G-ACU10MAX 40GBASE-CR4 QSFP+ Active DAC Cable - Cisco Compatible 10m (32. 8 ft) Twinaxial Network Cable
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Product Features
Technical Overview
This active DAC cable operates at 40 Gbit/s per the 40GBASE-CR4 standard, utilizing four lanes of 10 Gb/s to achieve the aggregate bandwidth. The active design incorporates signal conditioning electronics within the cable assembly, which regenerate the signal to support longer distances up to 10 meters while minimizing insertion loss and crosstalk.
The twinaxial (twinax) copper construction provides a robust physical layer, with the active components ensuring consistent performance across the entire cable length. This cable is hot-pluggable, allowing for installation and removal without powering down the connected devices, which is critical for maintaining uptime in live network environments.
Key Product Advantages
This active DAC cable offers several advantages for network architects and data center managers seeking reliable, high-performance interconnects.
Extended Reach with Active Design
The integrated active electronics enable a reach of up to 10 meters, which is longer than typical passive copper DAC cables, making it suitable for rack-to-rack or within-rack connections where distance is a factor.
- Signal regeneration for integrity over distance
- Reduces need for additional transceivers or fiber optics
Plug-and-Play Compatibility
Designed for compatibility with Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches, this cable provides a straightforward installation without requiring configuration changes or firmware updates.
- QSFP+ connectors on both ends
- Direct attachment eliminates intermediary components
Cost-Effective High-Speed Solution
Compared to optical transceivers and fiber cabling, this active DAC cable offers a lower total cost of ownership while delivering 40 Gb/s performance, with no separate transceivers needed.
- Lower power consumption than optical alternatives
- Durable twinaxial construction for long-term use
Deployment / Use Cases
This active DAC cable is ideal for various high-speed networking scenarios where reliability and performance are paramount.
In data center environments, it connects top-of-rack switches to aggregation switches or servers within the same rack or adjacent racks, supporting 40 GbE uplinks for high-bandwidth applications like virtualization, storage networking, and cloud infrastructure.
Data Center Interconnects
Use for spine-leaf architectures, connecting leaf switches to spine switches over short distances, ensuring low latency and high throughput for east-west traffic.
- Supports 40GBASE-CR4 standard
- Ideal for high-density server racks
Network Upgrades
Deploy when upgrading network infrastructure to 40 GbE, providing a seamless transition from 10 GbE without overhauling cabling infrastructure, as it uses familiar copper cabling.
- Backward compatible with QSFP+ ports
- Reduces deployment time and complexity
Highlights
- 40 Gbit/s data transfer rate for high-bandwidth network connections
- Active Direct Attach Copper (DAC) design with integrated electronics for signal integrity
- 10-meter (32.8 ft) length supports rack-to-rack or within-rack deployments
- QSFP+ connectors on both ends for direct plug-and-play installation
- Compatible with Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches
- Twinaxial (twinax) copper construction for durability and reliability
- Hot-pluggable support allows installation without downtime
- Environmentally friendly design meets green IT initiatives
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Axiom Memory Solutions |
| Manufacturer Part Number | QSFP-H40G-ACU10M-AX |
| Brand Name | Axiom |
| Product Name | 40GBASE-CR4 QSFP+ Active DAC Cable Cisco Compatible 10m |
| Product Type | Network Cable |
| Technical Information | |
| Cable Type | Twinaxial |
| Cable Length | 32.8 ft |
| Connector Type on First End | QSFP+ Network |
| Connector on First End Details | QSFP+ Network |
| Connector Type on Second End | QSFP+ Network |
| Connector on Second End Details | QSFP+ Network |
| Device Supported | Network Device |
| Data Transfer Rate | 40 Gbit/s |
| Features | Active |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Compatibility | Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches |
| Environmentally Friendly | Yes |
FAQ
What is the difference between active and passive DAC cables?
Active DAC cables, like this Axiom model, have integrated electronics that regenerate the signal, allowing for longer distances (up to 10 meters here) and better signal integrity compared to passive DAC cables, which are limited to shorter reaches (typically up to 5 meters) and rely solely on the cable's passive properties.
Is this cable compatible with non-Cisco network devices?
This cable is specifically coded for compatibility with Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches. While it may physically fit into other QSFP+ ports, interoperability is not guaranteed without verification from the device manufacturer, as compatibility depends on firmware and electrical specifications.
What does '40GBASE-CR4' mean in the product name?
40GBASE-CR4 refers to the Ethernet standard for 40 Gigabit connections over copper cabling. The 'CR4' indicates it uses four lanes of 10 Gb/s each over twinaxial copper, which is common for Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables like this one, ensuring it meets industry specifications for speed and performance.
Can this cable be used for distances longer than 10 meters?
No, this cable is designed for a maximum reach of 10 meters (32.8 ft). For longer distances, optical transceivers with fiber optic cabling are recommended, as copper-based DAC cables have inherent signal attenuation limits that active electronics can only extend to this specified length.