Arista CAB-Q-Q-0-5M-Arista | 0.5m 40G QSFP+ Passive Copper Twinax DAC Cable

Q: What is the maximum distance supported by this cable?
A: The CAB-Q-Q-0-5M is a passive copper twinax cable with a fixed length of 0.5 meters (approximately 1.6 feet). It is designed for short-reach, intra-rack or adjacent-rack connections within data centers.

Q: Can this cable be used for 4x10G breakout applications?
A: Yes, the cable supports data rates from 10.31 to 41.25 Gbps, enabling both 40G Ethernet (41.25Gbps) and 4x10G Ethernet (10.31Gbps per lane) applications, depending on the port configuration of your switch.

Q: Is this cable compatible with non-Arista network equipment?
A: While this cable is factory-programmed for Arista platforms, passive DAC cables following QSFP+ MSA standards generally offer broad interoperability. However, compatibility with non-Arista equipment is not guaranteed and should be verified with the equipment manufacturer.

Q: What are the advantages of passive DAC over fiber optic cables?
A: Passive DAC cables offer lower cost, lower power consumption (no transceivers required), and simpler deployment for short-distance connections. They are ideal for intra-rack and adjacent-rack connectivity where distances do not exceed a few meters.

Q: Does this cable require any special licensing or configuration?
A: No special licensing is required. The cable is factory pre-programmed and works as a plug-and-play solution when connected to compatible QSFP+ ports on Arista switches or routers.