Good starting point
- very short intra-rack and adjacent-rack links
- hosts that explicitly support the selected passive cable type and length
- straight links with fixed endpoint pairs
- breakout links with a stable parent-to-branch map
Passive copper for the shortest qualified links
DAC Cable Selection by Host Pair, Length, AWG and Breakout Map
Review each DAC cable and passive direct attach cable as a complete electrical link, with both endpoints, port modes and installed routing confirmed.
- Keep passive DAC separate from ACC and AEC
- Confirm both endpoint shells and host coding
- Use exact route length, AWG and bend requirements
- Document every branch in a breakout assembly
46verified catalog families
746exact SKU options
6-stepquotation workflow
SKU-leveldocument confirmation
Commercial overview
Low component count, strict electrical and routing limits
A passive DAC can be an efficient choice for the shortest switch, adapter and server links, but the cable is part of the high-speed electrical channel. Reach, AWG, connector construction, host equalization, port mode and bend constraints all affect suitability. PhotonVerge separates passive DAC from active copper and optical assemblies, then groups options by rate, endpoint pair, straight or breakout topology and length. A complete request names both hosts, exact ports, software, route, quantity and destination.
Where passive DAC is the first option to evaluate
Start elsewhere when
- routes beyond the host-qualified passive reach
- pathways where a thick cable cannot meet bend or airflow needs
- layouts likely to change length or endpoints
- requirements that actually call for signal-conditioned ACC or AEC
Product taxonomy
Organize passive DAC by endpoint and channel
The cable must fit the electrical channel and the physical pathway.
Straight DAC
Same-rate point-to-point assemblies between two defined ports.
Breakout DAC
One parent port divided into lower-rate branches with explicit lane mapping.
Same-shell assemblies
Matching connector packages at both ends, with coding reviewed per host.
Mixed-shell assemblies
Different endpoint packages for a defined switch-to-adapter or migration path.
Length and AWG variants
Exact combinations reviewed for insertion loss, bend and pathway constraints.
Featured family routes
Compare product families
These links open exact family records; use the full browser for the complete set.
400G OSFP 0.5–3m DAC O2Q56-400G-CU2FH5 exact SKU options
800G OSFP to OSFP 0.5–3m DAC OSFP-800G-CU2H5 exact SKU options
800G OSFP to 2xOSFP 0.5–3m DAC O2O112-800G-CU2H5 exact SKU options
800G OSFP to 4xOSFP 0.5–3m DAC O4O112-800G-CU2H5 exact SKU options
400G OSFP 0.5–3m DAC O2Q56-400G-CU2H6 exact SKU options
400G OSFP to 4xQSFP56 1–3m DAC O4Q56-400G-CU1H4 exact SKU optionsBuyer checklist
Eight passive-copper checks
A connector that fits is not proof of a qualified electrical channel.
Endpoint A
Host, port, form factor, coding and configured speed.
Endpoint B
Remote host and any different platform policy.
Cable type
Explicitly passive DAC, not ACC or AEC.
Length
Installed route within the approved host and SKU range.
AWG and bend
Cable bulk, routing, connector clearance and airflow.
Port and FEC mode
Both ends configured for the intended channel.
Breakout map
Parent lanes assigned to every branch endpoint.
Operations
Labels, spares, replacement access and warranty scope.
Exact catalog records
Browse DAC Cable Selection and Direct Attach Copper Cables
Use product identity, structured specifications and exact SKU records. Search results do not assert live stock or host acceptance.
400G OSFP 0.5–3m DAC O2Q56-400G-CU2FH
400G OSFP 0.5–3m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
800G OSFP to OSFP 0.5–3m DAC OSFP-800G-CU2H
800G OSFP to OSFP 0.5–3m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
800G OSFP to 2xOSFP 0.5–3m DAC O2O112-800G-CU2H
800G OSFP to 2xOSFP 0.5–3m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
800G OSFP to 4xOSFP 0.5–3m DAC O4O112-800G-CU2H
800G OSFP to 4xOSFP 0.5–3m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
400G OSFP 0.5–3m DAC O2Q56-400G-CU2H
400G OSFP 0.5–3m DAC with 6 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
400G OSFP to 4xQSFP56 1–3m DAC O4Q56-400G-CU1H
400G OSFP to 4xQSFP56 1–3m DAC with 4 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
980-9I62Q-00E001 QSFP-100G-CU1H 100G QSFP28
100G QSFP28 to QSFP28 0.5–5m DAC with 8 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
980-9I54A-00H00A Q56-200G-CU0-5H 200G QSFP56
200G QSFP56 to QSFP56 0.5–3m DAC with 6 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
980-9I39E-00H001 Q2Q56-200G-CU1H 200G QSFP56
200G QSFP56 to 2xQSFP56 1–4m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
NVIDIA/Mellanox O2O224-1.6T-CU1H 1.6T OSFP224
1.6T OSFP224 to 2xOSFP224 1m (3ft) DAC with 1 exact SKU option. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
NVIDIA/Mellanox OSFP-1.6T-CU1H 1.6T OSFP224
1.6T OSFP224 0.9–1m DAC with 2 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
NVIDIA/Mellanox OSFP-800G-CU1FTH 800G OSFP
800G OSFP to OSFP 0.5m~3m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
NVIDIA/Mellanox OSFP-400G-CU1FH 400G OSFP 0.5–3m
400G OSFP 0.5–3m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
NVIDIA/Mellanox OSFP-1.6T-CU1FH 1.6T OSFP224 1m
1.6T OSFP224 1m (3ft) DAC with 1 exact SKU option. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
980-9IA0G-00N001 OSFP-800G-CU1FH 800G OSFP
800G OSFP to OSFP 0.5m~3m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
980-9I80A-00N01A O2Q112-800G-CU1H 800G OSFP
800G OSFP to 2xQSFP112 1m~3m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
980-9I75D-00N01A O4Q112-800G-CU1H 800G OSFP
800G OSFP to 4xQSFP112 1m~3m DAC with 5 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
200G QSFP56 to 2xDSFP 1–3m DAC Q2DSFP-200G-CU1
200G QSFP56 to 2xDSFP 1–3m DAC with 12 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
200G QSFP56 to 4xSFP56 1–3m DAC Q4S56-200G-CU1
200G QSFP56 to 4xSFP56 1–3m DAC with 12 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
400G QSFP-DD to 4xQSFP56 1–3m DAC Q4Q56-400G-CU1
400G QSFP-DD to 4xQSFP56 1–3m DAC with 15 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
800G OSFP to 4xOSFP 0.5–3m DAC O4O112-800G-CU1
800G OSFP to 4xOSFP 0.5–3m DAC with 20 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
MCP1650-V001E30 Q56-200G-CU0-5 200G QSFP56
200G QSFP56 to QSFP56 0.5–3m DAC with 30 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
NVIDIA/Mellanox OSFP-400G-CU1 400G OSFP 0.5–3m DAC
400G OSFP 0.5–3m DAC with 20 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
NVIDIA/Mellanox OSFP-1.6T-CU1F 1.6T OSFP224 1m
1.6T OSFP224 1m (3ft) DAC with 2 exact SKU options. Confirm the host, port and firmware before quotation.
46 product families available; page 1 of 2
Decision matrix
Passive DAC versus conditioned copper and optical cable
Route borderline channels to the correct technology review instead of stretching the DAC category.
| Decision | Passive DAC | ACC or AEC | AOC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal path | Passive copper | Signal-conditioned copper | Integrated optical |
| Best starting point | Shortest qualified routes | Copper routes needing active assistance | Longer or lighter short optical routes |
| Routing concern | AWG, bulk and bend | AWG, power and bend | Bend and fixed length |
| Host review | Electrical reach and cable support | Active-cable support and firmware | Optical endpoint support |
| Service model | Replace full assembly | Replace full assembly | Replace full assembly |
Engineering boundary
DAC compatibility includes the cable channel between two hosts
Coding at the connectors does not prove that the passive electrical channel is supported at the selected length. Confirm both hosts, cable type, AWG, port modes, FEC and software. For breakout, each branch must be mapped and tested. Move a marginal route to an ACC, AEC or optical review instead of treating passive reach as negotiable.
- Both host platforms and ports
- Passive-cable support by length
- Endpoint form factors and coding
- AWG, bend and pathway
- Port mode, breakout and FEC
- Branch labels and acceptance procedure
Application planning
Passive DAC application patterns
Use DAC where the electrical and physical path is short and controlled.
Intra-rack switch links
Short point-to-point paths with known port pairs and manageable cable bulk.
Switch-to-adapter links
Server and accelerator connectivity with host-specific endpoint requirements.
Copper breakout
High-rate switch ports divided into documented lower-rate branches.
Validation rigs
Short repeatable channels used across a defined host matrix.
Supply coordination
Qualify the passive channel before ordering
The port map, length and pathway define the exact SKU.
1. Capture endpoints
List both hosts, ports, shells, software and speeds.
2. Measure the route
Include bend, cable manager and connector-clearance constraints.
3. Check passive support
Confirm allowed cable type, length, AWG, mode and FEC.
4. Map branches
Record every parent and branch port where applicable.
5. Validate the SKU
Test traffic, counters, routing fit and all branches.
6. Quote configurations
Group exact lengths and endpoint pairs by quantity and schedule.
Buyer validation
Evidence for the complete passive channel
Keep the approved length, endpoints and configuration with the sample result.
Exact SKU, length and AWG
Endpoint and coding map
Available cable specification
Two-host traffic and counter record
Routing and branch-label check
Warranty and complete-cable RMA terms
Technical resources
Continue the engineering review
Use the relevant guide to resolve a specific decision; product-specific evidence is confirmed for the quoted SKU.
Buyer questions
Frequently asked questions about DAC Cable Selection and Direct Attach Copper Cables
How long can a passive DAC cable be?
There is no universal distance that applies to every rate, host and AWG. Use the selected cable specification together with both host vendors' supported-cable guidance. Higher rates and different electrical lanes can reduce practical passive reach. Measure the installed route and do not extend a passive design beyond the exact SKU and host combination that will be validated.
What is the difference between DAC, ACC and AEC?
DAC is a passive copper assembly. ACC and AEC include active signal conditioning and have different power, firmware and host-support considerations. They should not be mixed in one passive-DAC shortlist merely because all use copper conductors. If the route is marginal for passive copper, review the active option as a separate technology decision.
Why does AWG matter when selecting DAC?
AWG affects conductor size, insertion loss, cable diameter, weight, bend behavior and pathway density. A thicker cable may support a demanding electrical path but make dense routing or airflow harder. Compare AWG only within an exact rate, length and host combination, and verify connector clearance and cable-manager capacity at the rack.
What is needed for a breakout DAC quotation?
Provide the parent host and port, all branch hosts and ports, configured rates, breakout mode, FEC, connector forms, cable length, branch count, coding targets, label format and quantity. The exact lane-to-branch relationship must be clear. Test every branch on the intended platforms before approving a volume order.
Can a DAC be approved because both hosts recognize it?
Recognition is necessary but incomplete. Run representative traffic, inspect FEC or error counters, test the intended length and routing, verify all breakout branches and repeat any restart behavior important to operations. Record the exact SKU, hosts, software and port settings. This evidence is stronger than a generic compatibility statement.
Procurement guide
Treat passive DAC as part of the high-speed electrical channel
Prove both host interfaces
List platforms, ports, software, speeds and FEC. Passive support can depend on the complete endpoint pair and length.
Route before ordering
Measure the pathway and verify bend, bulk, airflow and connector access. Cable length and AWG are physical design decisions.
Escalate marginal paths
If passive support is uncertain, compare ACC, AEC or AOC through their own requirements instead of relying on optimistic reach.
Validate the exact channel
Test the selected SKU between the intended hosts, retain counters and configuration, and quote identical endpoint-length groups together.
Structured B2B request
Request a passive DAC channel review
Send both host ports, route length, AWG constraints, mode, FEC and breakout map so the exact passive cable can be identified.
No live-stock, lead-time or compatibility commitment is inferred from this page. The selected SKU and commercial terms are confirmed in the written offer.