Cisco 40GBASE Active Optical Cable 3m

Cisco 40GBASE Active Optical Cable 3m

The Cisco 40GBASE Active Optical Cable (AOC) 3 meters is a high‑performance, fiber‑optic interconnect designed for demanding data center and enterprise networking environments. It delivers reliable, low‑latency connectivity between QSFP+ transceivers while maintaining the compactness and simplicity of an active cable solution.

Key Technical Specifications

• Interface Standard: 40GBASE‑SR4 (QSFP+)
• Length: 3 meters (10 feet)
• Connector Type: SFF‑8436 QSFP+ on both ends
• Active Cable Technology: Integrated optical transceiver modules within the cable
• Data Rate: 40 Gigabits per second (Gbps)
• Operating Temperature Range: -25 °C to +70 °C
• Power Consumption: Typically around 2.5 W per cable, depending on the transceiver firmware
• Compliance: Meets IEEE 802.3ba and Cisco’s own performance criteria for high‑speed interconnects

Design Features & Advantages

The active optical cable integrates miniature laser drivers and photodiodes directly into the cable assembly, eliminating the need for separate transceiver modules at each end. This design offers several benefits:

• Reduced Latency: The integrated electronics provide a direct optical path with minimal signal conversion delays.
• Simplified Deployment: No additional transceivers are required; the cable is plug‑and‑play, reducing rack space and power consumption.
• Enhanced Reliability: Fewer discrete components mean fewer points of failure, improving overall system uptime.
• Compact Footprint: The cable’s slim profile fits easily into tight rack environments, preserving valuable space for other equipment.

Typical Use Cases

The Cisco 40GBASE AOC is ideal for a variety of networking scenarios where high bandwidth and low latency are critical:

• Data Center Fabric Interconnects: Connecting top‑of‑rack switches or spine nodes in a leaf‑spine architecture.
• Server-to-Switch Links: Providing fast, reliable uplinks between servers and aggregation switches.
• High-Performance Computing (HPC): Enabling rapid data transfer between compute nodes and storage arrays.
• Storage Area Networks (SANs): Facilitating high‑speed connections for block storage traffic.

Compatibility & Integration

This cable is fully compatible with Cisco’s QSFP+ transceiver ecosystem, including:

• Cisco Nexus series switches (e.g., N9K, N5K)
• Cisco ACI fabric components
• Other vendors’ QSFP+ devices that support the 40GBASE‑SR4 standard

Because it uses standard SFF‑8436 connectors and adheres to IEEE specifications, interoperability with non-Cisco equipment is straightforward, provided both ends support the same optical mode.

Installation & Maintenance Guidelines

1. Handling: Handle the cable by its outer jacket; avoid bending beyond the specified minimum bend radius (typically 30 mm).
2. Connection Procedure: Align the QSFP+ connectors carefully, ensuring a firm click before fully inserting.
3. Environmental Considerations: Keep the cable away from sources of electromagnetic interference and maintain the recommended temperature range.
4. Troubleshooting: If link performance is degraded, verify that both ends are powered on, check for connector contamination, and confirm firmware compatibility.

Performance Metrics

In controlled test environments, the Cisco 40GBASE AOC demonstrates:

• Bit Error Rate (BER): ≤10⁻¹² over the full 3‑meter span.
• Signal Integrity: Eye diagram shows clear separation between logic levels, ensuring robust data transmission.
• Latency: Typically around 1–2 µs end‑to‑end, suitable for latency‑sensitive applications.

Conclusion

The Cisco 40GBASE Active Optical Cable 3m represents a blend of high speed, low latency, and operational simplicity. Its active design eliminates the need for separate transceivers, reduces rack space consumption, and delivers reliable performance across a wide range of networking scenarios. Whether building a new data center fabric or upgrading existing infrastructure, this cable provides a proven solution that aligns with Cisco’s commitment to quality and innovation in high‑performance networking.