10G Direct Attach Cable (DAC)

Key Features

• Supports 10Gbps Ethernet applications
• SFP+ to SFP+ direct connection
• Passive and active DAC options
• Twinaxial copper cable construction
• Low latency and low power consumption
• Cost-effective alternative to short-distance optical links
• Available in multiple cable lengths
• Multiple cable gauges available according to length
• MSA-compliant options available
• Compatible with major network equipment platforms
• OEM and customized coding available

Passive and Active DAC Options

HIPHOTONICS provides both Passive DAC and Active DAC configurations to accommodate different transmission distances and system requirements.

Passive 10G DAC

Passive DAC does not require signal amplification or active electronic components within the cable assembly. It is particularly suitable for short-distance connections inside data centers and network cabinets.

Typical applications include:

• Switch-to-server
• Switch-to-switch
• Server-to-storage
• Top-of-Rack (ToR) connections
• Rack-to-rack connections

Passive SFP+ DAC assemblies are commonly available in lengths from approximately 1 m to 7 m, depending on cable construction and performance requirements.

Active 10G DAC

Active DAC incorporates signal-conditioning electronics to extend the practical reach compared with passive copper DAC. This makes it suitable for longer short-reach connections where a passive copper solution may not provide sufficient signal integrity.

HIPHOTONICS can provide active DAC configurations in different lengths according to customer requirements.

High-Speed 10Gbps Connectivity

The HIPHOTONICS 10G SFP+ DAC is designed for high-speed interconnection applications with data rates of up to 10.3125Gbps per channel, depending on the specific implementation. SFP+ DAC specifications are defined in industry standards including SFF-8431, while mechanical and management requirements are associated with SFF-8432 and SFF-8472.

The cable assembly provides an integrated connection without requiring separate optical transceivers, fiber patch cords, or additional optical interfaces.

Low Latency and Low Power Consumption

For short-distance network connections, DAC can reduce the number of components in the link.

A typical architecture is:

10G Switch
↓
SFP+ DAC
↓
10G Server / Storage / Switch

This direct connection helps reduce system complexity while providing low latency and low power consumption. DAC is widely used for data centers, high-performance computing, enterprise networks, and storage infrastructure.

Flexible Cable Lengths

HIPHOTONICS 10G DAC can be supplied in various standard and customized lengths, including:

• 0.5 m
• 1 m
• 2 m
• 3 m
• 5 m
• 7 m
• 10 m

Cable gauge can be selected according to cable length and application requirements. Commercial 10G SFP+ DAC products commonly use thinner gauges for short lengths and larger conductors for longer copper assemblies.

Equipment Compatibility

HIPHOTONICS 10G DAC can be supplied as:

MSA-compliant versions

or

Brand-specific coded versions

Compatibility coding can be configured for different network equipment platforms according to customer requirements.

Typical applications include equipment from major manufacturers such as:

• Cisco
• HPE
• Dell
• Huawei
• Juniper
• Arista
• MikroTik
• Ubiquiti
• Other SFP+ compatible equipment

Actual compatibility should be confirmed according to the specific switch, server, NIC, or storage equipment model before mass deployment.

Typical Applications

Data Centers

Used for high-speed connections between ToR switches, servers, storage systems, and network equipment.

Switch-to-Server Connections

Provides a direct 10G connection between SFP+ ports without requiring optical transceivers.

Switch-to-Switch Connections

Suitable for short-distance interconnection between network switches within the same rack or adjacent racks.

Storage Networks

Suitable for high-bandwidth connections between storage systems, servers, and network switches.

High-Performance Computing

Provides low-latency connectivity for computing clusters and high-performance network environments.

Technical Specifications

*Final specifications depend on the selected passive/active configuration and cable length.

Why Choose HIPHOTONICS 10G DAC?

HIPHOTONICS 10G DAC provides an economical and reliable solution for short-distance 10G network connections. By integrating the SFP+ interfaces and copper twinaxial cable into a single pre-terminated assembly, it simplifies installation and reduces the overall cost of short-reach network links.

We support standard and customized cable lengths, passive/active configurations, cable gauges, connector coding, cable colors, labels, packaging, and OEM branding for distributors, system integrators, data center operators, and network equipment suppliers.

For 10G data center interconnects, switch-to-server links, rack-to-rack connections, and other short-distance applications, HIPHOTONICS 10G DAC provides a practical alternative to conventional optical transceiver and fiber patch cord solutions.