QSFP-4X10G-AOC and DAC Cables

[wifisharma@gmail.com]

Hello,

I wanted to check if  QSFP-4X10G breakout cables have inbuilt QSFP (QSFP-40G-SR4) and SFP+ (SFP-10G-SR) modules or do we have to order them separately for connectivity?

I assume we will need corresponding SFP+ modules for connecting two 10G (copper or fiber) ports on different switches using twinax copper DAC cables or the AOC cables. Is my assumption correct?

Is this one of the differences between the breakout cable and the DAC/AOC cables?

I have tried to find out related documents but couldn't find any detailed document.

Regards
Saurabh

[Mio de Kuo]

Yes, QSFP-4X10G breakout cables have inbuilt QSFP (QSFP-40G-SR4) and SFP+ (SFP-10G-SR) modules. So u do not have to order them separately for connectivity.

DAC is direct attach copper cable that has two connectors on the both ends with a copper cable. AOC is active optical cable that  has two active connectors on the both ends with a optical fiber cable. So u can connect two switches by DAC or AOC directly. It’s much cheaper than using a SFP+ transceiver with fiber cable.

The main differences between DAC and AOC are as below:

1.AOC has longer reach capability up to 100 meters rather than DAC has 0.5-15 meters limits.

2.AOC has two connectors combined with fixed optical fibers with a similar function as optical transceivers, creating a complete cable assembly much like a DAC cable which also has two connectors without active components.