Mellanox QSFP28 Cable Overview and Specifications

# Mellanox QSFP28 Cable Overview and Specifications

## Introduction to Mellanox QSFP28 Cables

Mellanox QSFP28 cables are high-performance, high-speed interconnect solutions designed for modern data centers and high-performance computing environments. These cables utilize the Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable 28 (QSFP28) form factor to deliver exceptional bandwidth and low latency for demanding applications.

## Key Features of Mellanox QSFP28 Cables

Mellanox QSFP28 cables offer several important features that make them stand out in the market:

• High-speed connectivity with data rates up to 100Gbps
• Low power consumption compared to alternative solutions
• Excellent signal integrity for reliable data transmission
• Flexible length options to suit various deployment scenarios
• Hot-pluggable design for easy installation and maintenance

## Technical Specifications

Physical Characteristics

The Mellanox QSFP28 cables are designed with robust construction:

• Connector type: QSFP28
• Cable types available: Direct Attach Copper (DAC) and Active Optical Cables (AOC)
• Standard lengths: 1m, 3m, 5m (DAC), up to 100m (AOC)
• Operating temperature: 0°C to 70°C

Performance Specifications

Parameter	Value
Data Rate	100Gbps (4x25Gbps lanes)
Protocol Support	InfiniBand EDR, 100GbE, 40GbE
Latency	<100ns for DAC cables
Power Consumption	<1.5W for passive DAC, <3.5W for active DAC

## Compatibility and Applications

Compatible Devices

Mellanox QSFP28 cables are designed to work with a wide range of networking equipment:

• Mellanox ConnectX-4 and ConnectX-5 adapters
• Mellanox Spectrum and Quantum switches
• Third-party QSFP28-compatible switches and routers

Common Applications

These cables are ideal for various high-performance networking scenarios:

• Data center spine-leaf architectures
• High-performance computing clusters
• Storage area networks
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning infrastructure

## Choosing the Right QSFP28 Cable

When selecting a Mellanox QSFP28 cable, consider the following factors:

1. Distance requirements: DAC for short distances (<7m), AOC for longer runs
2. Power budget: Passive DAC consumes less power than active solutions
3. Environment: Consider temperature and electromagnetic interference
4. Future scalability

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