25G SFP28 to SFP28 DAC Cables

25G SFP28 to SFP28 DAC

Networking is a dynamic and rapidly evolving area of the data center world. With the rapid rise of cloud computing and big data, data centers are facing more and more severe network challenges. The external interfaces of a router or switch are on the I/O panel. At present, network devices are connected through I/O interfaces in two ways: copper cable interconnection and optical fiber interconnection.

The 25G SFP28 A high-speed Direct Attach Cable (DAC) is attached to both ends of a high-speed jumper cable and connects the switch to a router or server. Widely used in storage area networks, data centers, and high-performance computer connectivity, is emerging in network communication. To put it simply, a high-speed cable DAC is connected to a module at both ends of a cable.

Who is 25G DAC?

The existing 100G standard network system consists of four links (4*25Gbps), each with a bandwidth of 25Gbps. This four-to-one ratio is equivalent to connecting servers to a 25G switch and then converging into a 100G uplink, which helps network operators expand their data centers more easily. The 25G high-speed cable is developed. The 25G SFP28 DAC high-speed cable contains a pair of high-speed copper wires with a data rate of up to 25Gb/s. Cables comply with IEEE P802.3by Ethernet standard and SFF-8402 SFP28 standard. Each SFP28 connector contains an EEPROM to provide product information that can be read by the host system. At present, cable manufacturers in the industry generally use silver-plated conductors and foamed insulated core wire (some manufacturers use PP or FEP insulation), which has excellent attenuation performance and low delay performance, so that the signal transmission is correct, but also can improve the transmission speed. It is a short-distance connection solution to replace optical modules, the price is much cheaper than the same type of optical module.

At present, many builders will choose 25G high-speed cables for short-distance connection applications of less than 5 meters.

The connector of the SFP28 DAC is similar to that of the optical module, but it has no expensive laser inside, so the price is much cheaper than that of the same type of optical module. Therefore, the 25G SFP28 DAC passive copper cable is a cost-effective choice in short-range high-speed transmission schemes. Next, Fiber Mall will introduce the SFP28 DAC and its applications.

1) Introduction of 25G SFP28 DAC

1. Length range of 25G SFP28 DAC passive copper cable

Fiber Mall's 25G SFP28 DAC passive copper cables are available in custom lengths (1-5M) to meet customer needs.

2. 25G SFP28 DAC compatible switch brands

Fiber Mall's 25G DAC cable is compatible with Huawei, Cisco, HP, IBM, H3C, Juniper, Mikrotik and other switch brands.

3. Application scenarios for 25G SFP28 DAC

-25G Ethernet data center server room

-Storage area network

-Supercomputing center system

-Switches/routers/HBAs, etc.

The 25G SFP28 DAC passive copper cable is widely used in data centers because it can improve data center network performance while effectively reducing the number of top-of-rack switches deployed in data centers. In addition, when 10G Optical modules can not meet the rate requirements of most data centers, the price and power consumption of 40G and 100G products are too high, and the 25G SFP28 DAC can just meet the requirements of low power consumption and low cost of data centers.

4. Types of 25G SFP28 DAC:

·25G SFP28 to SFP28 DAC

It is a very cost-effective solution for short-distance link transmission, which can establish 25G link through the SFP28 port of the switch, complying with IEEE P802.3by and SFF-8402 SFP28 standards, and is widely used in data center or supercomputing center system scenarios.

·100G QSFP28 to 4 x SFP28 DAC

 These SFP28 DACs are suitable for stacking and clustering between short-range big data devices, with 100G QSFP28 interfaces on one end and four 25G SFP28 interfaces on the other end, providing customers with 100G data transmission, which is compliant with IEEE 802.3BA standard, SFF-8665/SFF-8679, IEEE 802.3bj and InfinibandEDR standards.

2) 25G SFP28 DAC vs AOC

The 25G SFP28 DAC can support up to 25Gbps transmission rate, which is higher than the data transmission rate supported by traditional copper cable; The SFP28 DAC is mainly used in switches/routers/HbAS, servers and data storage devices, 40GBs/100Gbs Ethernet and fibre channel.

The 25G SFP28 AOC is one-half the size and one-quarter the weight of the SFP28 DAC, so the 25G AOC is much lighter than the 25G DAC. The SFP28 AOC is suitable for 25G and 10G Ethernet, high-capacity IO with SFP+ interface, data center and inter-rack connectivity.

Fiber Mall, as a professional optical module manufacturer, is a brand to be preferred and trusted. We offer reliable quality 25G SFP28 DACs and can provide customized services. 

Why use 25G high-speed cable

The 25G technology is the basis of the 100G(4*25Gbps) Ethernet standard. The 25G high-speed cable consists of a copper cable and an optical transceiver at both ends. It uses connectors similar to those used in optical modules, but the connector modules on the high-speed cable do not have expensive lasers, which greatly reduces the cost of short-range applications.

There are two types of 25G high-speed cables: 25G SFP28 to SFP28 DAC and 100G QSFP28 to 4 SFP28 DAC. The 25G SFP28 to SFP28 DAC is an extremely cost-effective solution for short-distance link transmission. It can establish a 25GB link through the SFP28 port of the switch. It conforms to the IEEE P802.3by and SFF-8402 SFP28 standards and is widely used in data center or supercomputer center system scenarios.

100G QSFP28 to 4 SFP28 DAC is suitable for stacking and aggregation between short-distance big data devices. One end is 100G QSFP28 interface, and the other end is four 25G SFP28 interfaces, which can provide 100G data transmission for customers. Comply with IEEE802.3BA standard, SFF-8665/SFF-8679, IEEE 802.3bj, and InfinibandEDR standard. The 25G SFP28 DAC high-speed cable is widely used to connect 25G devices (such as servers and 25G Fiber Optic network adapters) and supercomputers. Since 25G Ethernet came out late, the application of optical communication products related to it has not been popularized. However, with the arrival of 5G networks, 5G fronthaul will usher in a substantial increase in the demand for 25G.

The prospect of 25G high-speed cable

The 25G technology is the basis of the 100G(4*25Gbps) Ethernet standard, and the 25G technology offers higher port density and lower cost compared to the 40G technology, so the 25G technology is promising. The current push by the 25G Ethernet alliance, cloud giants such as Microsoft and Google have proposed 25G and 50G Ethernet solutions, in addition, according to Dell 'Oro, the next generation of server speeds will reach 25Gbps. This means that more and more devices will choose 25G SFP28 DAC as the best network solution. With the rapid development of 25G Ethernet technology, 25G SFP28 to SFP28 DAC, and 100G QSFP28 to 4 SFP28 DAC type cable to meet the customer's 25G and 100G network requirements.