{"product_id":"100gb-s-qsfp28-dac-cable-3-meter-passive-100gbe-copper","title":"100Gb\/s QSFP28 DAC Cable 3-Meter - Passive 100GbE Copper","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of the 100Gb\/s QSFP28 DAC Cable 3-Meter, the bottom line is straightforward: this passive direct attach copper cable is for network engineers and rack operators who need a reliable, short-reach 100GbE link with predictable interoperability. Tested in 10Gtek's Signal Integrity Lab and individually verified on switches, the cable's main selling point is dependable, low-latency connectivity for data center top-of-rack and switch-to-switch runs where a 3-meter passive solution is appropriate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e100Gb\/s QSFP28 Passive Copper:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides a fixed, low-latency 100GbE link suitable for high-throughput switch interconnects without active electronics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3-Meter Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offers a common data center reach that covers short cross-rack and within-rack connections while keeping cable management simple.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e30AWG Construction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uses 30AWG conductors for a balance of flexibility and signal integrity in dense cable bundles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility with Mellanox MCP1600-C003E30L:\u003c\/strong\u003e Works with Mellanox ETH modules and similar QSFP28 ports, reducing concerns about cross-vendor interoperability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLab-Tested Signal Integrity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Passed time-domain reflectometry (TDR) and vector network analyzer (VNA) tests in 10Gtek's lab, which supports consistent electrical performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIndividually Switch-Tested:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each cable is validated on switches before shipment, helping ensure out-of-box functionality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cable is aimed at IT teams, data center technicians, and network integrators who need a straightforward, low-cost way to connect QSFP28 ports at 100GbE speeds across short distances. It is well suited for top-of-rack to aggregation switch links, patching between adjacent racks, or connecting Mellanox-equipped servers and cards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose who need longer runs, active optical reach, or very small form-factor cabling should look elsewhere; optical transceivers or active cables are a better fit where distance, weight, or power delivery beyond a passive 3.3V supply are concerns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eReliable 100GbE performance with \u003cstrong\u003elab-tested signal integrity\u003c\/strong\u003e for predictable operation in production networks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDesigned for compatibility with Mellanox ETH MCP1600-C003E30L and commonly used QSFP28 ports, reducing integration issues.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eEach unit is individually tested on switches, which lowers the risk of DOA failures when deploying at scale.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e30AWG construction keeps the cable flexible enough for dense rack routing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAs a passive 3-meter copper assembly, it is limited to short-reach scenarios and not suitable for longer inter-rack distances.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ePassive cables offer no active equalization, so very noisy electrical environments may require active or optical alternatives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eData rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100Gb\/s\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForm factor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQSFP28 to QSFP28\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePassive Direct Attach Copper (DAC)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLength\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-Meter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWire gauge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30AWG\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupply voltage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle 3.3V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBit error rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBetter than 1E-15\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 3-meter QSFP28 passive DAC is a pragmatic choice for data center teams needing a cost-effective, interoperable 100GbE link. With \u003cstrong\u003eindividual switch testing\u003c\/strong\u003e and lab-verified signal integrity, it offers dependable plug-and-play performance for short-reach connections and represents good value when optical reach is not required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this cable work with Mellanox switches?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it is listed as compatible with Mellanox ETH MCP1600-C003E30L and has been confirmed to work with similar Mellanox QSFP28 ports.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this cable suitable for runs longer than 3 meters?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, this passive DAC is specified at 3 meters; for longer distances consider active copper or optical transceivers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these cables tested before shipping?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, 10Gtek reports TDR and VNA lab testing and that each cable is individually tested on switches prior to delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"10Gtek","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48252949266651,"sku":"B01HYWZWQI","price":38.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61lt7rf74PL._SL1500_e2a733ce-2627-4abb-bbef-54b634db8a9f.jpg?v=1778241632","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/100gb-s-qsfp28-dac-cable-3-meter-passive-100gbe-copper","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}