Driven by the ever-increasing server speeds and storage explosion, enterprises today are migrating infrastructures from 10Gb/s to 40Gb/s and establishing a framework for 100Gb/s systems. QSFP cable provides a cost-effective solution for interconnecting high speed 40GbE switches and servers. This post will provide an overview of the 40GE QSFP+ passive cable, helping users to take maximum advantage of the 40GbE architecture to come up with the appropriate interconnects and cost-effective selection.

QSFP+ (quad small form-factor pluggable) passive cable is an extension of the established I/O interface system SFP+ and was developed for 40Gb/s Ethernet and 40Gb/s Infiniband QDR (quad data rate) applications. 40GbE passive copper cables provide robust connections for leading edge 40Gbit/s systems. They are compliant with SFF-8436, QSFP+ MSA, specifications and provide connectivity between devices using QSFP ports. 40Gb/s passive cable fill the need for short, cost-effective connectivity in the data center. Passive cables require no additional power to ensure quality connectivity. 40GE QSFP+ passive cables have extremely low power consumption which improves data center power consumption and thermal efficiency. The QSFP+ passive cable assemblies are high performance, cost effective I/O solutions for 40G LAN, HPC and SAN applications. Two main kinds of QSFP+ passive cable will be introduced here. They are QSFP+ to QSFP+ passive cablesand QSFP+ to 4SFP+ passive cables.

QSFP+ to QSFP+ passive direct attach cables are hot-removable and hot-insertable. A QSFP+ to QSFP+ passive cable consists of a cable assembly that connects directly into two QSFP+ modules, one at each end of the cable. The cables use integrated duplex serial data links for bidirectional communication and are designed for data rates up to 40Gbps. There are various QSFP+ to QSFP+ passive cables branded by famous brands, like Cisco, HP, Juniper, Brocade, etc. For example, Cisco QSFP-H40G-CU5M and Arista CAB-Q-Q-3M QSFP+ to QSFP+ passive copper cable, they are with high quality. The following picture shows a Cisco QSFP-H40G-CU5M QSFP+ to QSFP+ passive cable.

A QSFP+ to QSFP+ passive cable has a high-density QSFP+ connector on one end with the 4 SFF-8431 compliant SFP+ connectors on the other end. It features a positive retention pull-release latch system for ease-of-use. QSFP+ to 4SFP+ hybrid passive cable assemblies are a cost-effective, low-power alternative to optical modules for short reach links in high speed interconnect applications. The cables enable 40G QSFP+ breakout to 4x10G SFP+ ports, optimizing data center solutions for connecting 40G Ethernet ports to 10G Ethernet switches and adapters. Each QSFP+ to SFP+ hybrid passive cable is fully shielded by design utilizing a combination of shielded twinaxial cable and robust die cast housings with actuating pull latch. The QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ passive copper assemblies are manufactured using automated welding for unmatched consistency because the welding process results in less dielectric shrink-back than soldering. The following picture shows a HP JG331A QSFP+ to 4SFP+ passive breakout copper cable.

QSFP+ direct attach cable assemblies offer a high-speed and cost-effective alternative to fiber optics in Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and InfiniBand technology applications. The cable assemblies enable hardware OEMs and data center operators to achieve higher port density and configurability at low costs, while helping to reduce power consumption. Fiberstore is a professional fiber optic products supplier and manufacturer. We not only have the 40G QSFP+ passive cable, but also offer active versions of QSFP+ straight and breakout copper cable assemblies for your various applications.