Axiom JH698A-AX 40GBASE-CR4 QSFP+ Passive DAC Cable - 40 Gbit/s Twinaxial - 9. 8 ft - 3m - HP Compatible
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Product Features
Technical Overview
This cable operates at a data transfer rate of 40 Gbit/s using the 40GBASE-CR4 standard, which specifies four lanes of 10 Gbit/s each over twinaxial copper. The passive design means it does not contain active electronics for signal amplification, making it a power-efficient choice for short-distance applications where signal attenuation is minimal.
The QSFP+ connectors feature a compact, hot-pluggable form factor that supports high-density port configurations. The twinaxial cable construction provides excellent shielding against electromagnetic interference, ensuring stable performance in electrically noisy environments.
Key Product Advantages
This DAC cable delivers several practical benefits for network administrators and data center operators looking to deploy or expand 40GbE infrastructure without the complexity and cost of optical solutions.
Cost-Effective 40GbE Connectivity
By using direct-attach copper instead of separate transceivers and fiber, this cable reduces both initial hardware costs and ongoing power consumption while providing reliable 40 Gbit/s performance for short-reach connections.
- Lower total cost of ownership compared to optical solutions
- No separate transceiver modules required
- Passive design consumes no additional power
Simplified Deployment and Management
The pre-terminated QSFP+ connectors on both ends eliminate the need for field termination or polishing, reducing installation time and potential points of failure. The cable is ready to use out of the box for quick connectivity between compatible network devices.
- Pre-terminated connectors for plug-and-play installation
- Reduced installation complexity compared to fiber optic cabling
- HP compatibility ensures broad device support
Reliable Performance in Dense Environments
The twinaxial construction with robust shielding maintains signal integrity even in electrically noisy data center environments. The 9.8-foot length is optimized for typical rack-to-rack or intra-rack distances while minimizing cable clutter.
- Excellent EMI/RFI shielding for stable performance
- Optimized length for common data center scenarios
- Black color blends with standard rack equipment
Deployment / Use Cases
This 40GBASE-CR4 QSFP+ Passive DAC Cable is ideal for multiple scenarios in modern network infrastructure where high-speed, short-reach connections are required between compatible networking equipment.
In data center environments, it commonly connects top-of-rack switches to servers within the same rack or to adjacent racks, providing the backbone for high-performance computing clusters, storage area networks, and virtualized server infrastructure. The cable supports spine-leaf architectures where low-latency, high-bandwidth interconnections are critical.
Data Center Interconnects
Connect switches, routers, and servers within racks or across adjacent racks in data center environments. The 40 Gbit/s bandwidth supports high-throughput applications like database clusters, virtualization hosts, and storage systems.
High-Performance Computing
Provide low-latency connections between compute nodes in HPC clusters. The passive twinaxial design ensures minimal signal delay while delivering full 40 Gbit/s bandwidth for scientific computing, financial modeling, and rendering applications.
Highlights
- 40 Gbit/s data transfer rate using 40GBASE-CR4 standard
- QSFP+ male connectors on both ends for direct device connection
- 9.8-foot (3-meter) twinaxial cable length
- Passive design with no external power requirements
- HP compatible for broad network device support
- Twinaxial cable type with excellent EMI shielding
- Black color blends with standard rack equipment
- Hot-pluggable QSFP+ connectors for easy installation
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Axiom Memory Solutions |
| Manufacturer Part Number | JH698A-AX |
| Brand Name | Axiom |
| Product Name | 40GBASE-CR4 QSFP+ Passive DAC Cable HP Compatible 3m |
| Product Type | Network Cable |
| Technical Information | |
| Cable Type | Twinaxial |
| Cable Length | 9.8 ft |
| Connector Type on First End | QSFP+ Network - Male |
| Connector on First End Details | 1 x QSFP+ Network - Male |
| Connector Type on Second End | QSFP+ Network - Male |
| Connector on Second End Details | 1 x QSFP+ Network - Male |
| Device Supported | Network Device |
| Data Transfer Rate | 40 Gbit/s |
| Features | Passive |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Product Color | Black |
FAQ
What is the maximum distance supported by this 40GBASE-CR4 DAC cable?
This passive DAC cable is designed for short-reach connections up to approximately 10 meters, with the 9.8-foot (3-meter) length being optimal for typical rack-to-rack or intra-rack deployments in data center environments. For longer distances beyond 10 meters, active optical cables or separate transceivers with fiber optic cabling would be required.
Is this cable compatible with non-HP network equipment?
While marketed as HP compatible, this QSFP+ DAC cable typically works with any network device that supports the standard 40GBASE-CR4 protocol and QSFP+ interfaces. However, compatibility should be verified with specific device manufacturers, as some equipment may require vendor-coded transceivers or have firmware restrictions for third-party DAC cables.
What does 'passive' mean in the context of this DAC cable?
A passive DAC cable contains no active electronics for signal amplification or retiming. It relies on the electrical properties of the twinaxial copper to transmit signals over short distances. This makes it more power-efficient and cost-effective than active cables but limits its effective range compared to active optical cables or transceiver-based solutions.
Can this cable be used for 10GbE or 25GbE connections?
No, this cable is specifically designed for 40GbE connections using the 40GBASE-CR4 standard. It will not function properly for 10GbE or 25GbE applications. For those speeds, you would need cables designed for 10GBASE-CR or 25GBASE-CR standards with appropriate connectors and cable specifications.