25G SFP28 Passive DAC Twinax Copper Cable (0.5-7m): 25G-PDAC-SFP28
25G SFP28 DAC Overview: Passive Twinax Cable
The 25G SFP28 Passive DAC is a point-to-point twinax copper cable connecting two SFP28 ports directly, without external power or an optical transceiver pair. It covers a 1.25 to 25.78 Gbps data rate range, supporting 10G Ethernet, 25G Ethernet, and 32G Fibre Channel applications on compatible host equipment, in lengths from 0.5m to 7m. DDM/DOM diagnostics, a standard 0-70°C operating range, and a 1,000,000 hour MTBF round out the design for data center and enterprise rack deployments.
- Cable Type: Passive Direct Attach Cable (PDAC)
- Cable Configuration: Point-to-Point
- Connector Type: SFP28 to SFP28
- Supported Data Rate: 1.25 Gbps - 25.78 Gbps
- Maximum Distance: 7 m
- AWG (Wire Gauge): AWG30 (0.5-3m) | AWG26 (3.5-5m) | AWG24 (7m)
- DDM/DOM: Supported
- Temperature Range: Standard 0°-70°C
- MTBF: 1000000 hours
25G SFP28 Passive DAC Pricing
SKU:25G-PDAC-SFP28
Made to Order - 2 Weeks25G SFP28 Passive DAC Twinax Copper Cable (0.5-7m) Specification
Cable Type | Passive Direct Attach Cable (PDAC) |
Cable Configuration | Point-to-Point |
Connector Type | SFP28 to SFP28 |
Supported Data Rate | 1.25 Gbps - 25.78 Gbps |
Supported Ethernet Applications | 10G Ethernet (10.31Gbps), 25G Ethernet (25.78Gbps) |
Supported Fiber Channel Applications | 32G Fiber Channel (28.05 Gbps) |
Maximum Distance | 7 m |
Media Type | Twinax Copper Cable |
AWG (Wire Gauge) | AWG30 (0.5-3m) | AWG26 (3.5-5m) | AWG24 (7m) |
DDM/DOM | Supported |
Temperature Range | Standard 0°-70°C |
MTBF | 1000000 hours |
Compliance | CE, RoHS, SFP28 MSA, SFF-8402, SFF-8431 |
25G SFP28 Passive DAC Twinax Copper Cable (0.5-7m) Datasheet
v3Complete technical specifications and product details
25G SFP28 Passive DAC Twinax Copper Cable (0.5-7m) Description
The 25G SFP28 Passive DAC (Direct Attach Cable) is a point-to-point twinax copper cable with SFP28 connectors on each end, built for direct switch-to-switch, switch-to-server, and switch-to-storage links. It covers the full 1.25 to 25.78 Gbps data rate range, including 10G Ethernet (10.31 Gbps), 25G Ethernet (25.78 Gbps), and 32G Fibre Channel (28.05 Gbps) on compatible host equipment. This twinax design falls into the cable class commonly called 25GBASE-CR, available in lengths from 0.5m to 7m.
This class of passive twinax cable is commonly deployed for top-of-rack to server connections, leaf-spine fabric interconnects, and short in-rack storage links where a fiber transceiver pair and patch cabling are not needed. Because both ends terminate in a fixed SFP28 form factor, installation is limited to a plug-in connection at each end with no separate transceiver or cleaning procedure required, unlike optical alternatives.
Cable construction uses AWG30 conductors for the 0.5-3m lengths, AWG26 for 3.5-5m, and AWG24 for the 7m length, balancing flexibility and signal integrity as reach increases. As a passive design, the cable carries no signal-conditioning electronics, so it draws no external power and adds negligible latency compared to active copper or optical alternatives; the connected host equipment handles all signal processing.
Each cable includes DDM/DOM diagnostic monitoring for real-time visibility into link health and is rated for standard 0-70°C operating environments with a 1,000,000 hour MTBF. The design meets CE and RoHS requirements and complies with the SFP28 MSA, SFF-8402, and SFF-8431 specifications governing the SFP28 physical and electrical interface.
EdgeOptic codes this SFP28 DAC cable to multiple vendor part numbers spanning major networking, server, and storage brands, so procurement teams can order the exact part number their platform expects instead of a generic twinax cable. Because the connector and electrical interface follow the SFP28 MSA, the same cable design supports 10G Ethernet, 25G Ethernet, and 32G Fibre Channel host ports where the platform allows it; confirm the operating mode against the target switch, NIC, or storage controller's transceiver compatibility list before ordering a specific length.
Every EdgeOptic passive DAC cable is quality-checked before shipment. Backed by 15+ years of EdgeOptic compatibility engineering across vendor copper and optical platforms, each length is made to order and includes a lifetime warranty. For volume quotes or a length variant not listed, contact our sales team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are SFP28 and SFP+ compatible?
SFP+ and SFP28 share the same physical footprint, and most SFP28 ports accept SFP+ modules for 10G operation. Compatibility is not universal across every host platform, so confirm against the specific switch or NIC's transceiver support list before mixing form factors on a link. EdgeOptic's SFP28/SFP+ compatibility guide covers the physical and electrical differences in more detail.
What is the difference between an active DAC and a passive DAC?
This EdgeOptic SFP28 DAC is a passive design: it has no onboard signal-conditioning electronics, so equalization work is done by the host port, and reach is limited to the 7m maximum for this cable. Active DAC cables use onboard electronics to extend reach and compensate for signal loss, but they draw power from the host slot. If a deployment needs a longer copper run than 7m, an active DAC or a fiber transceiver pair is the appropriate alternative.
Can a 25G SFP28 DAC connect to 10G SFP+ equipment?
This cable supports 10G Ethernet (10.31 Gbps) as well as 25G Ethernet, so it can run at 10G when both host ports operate in that mode. Compatibility with SFP+ equipment specifically depends on the host platform: many SFP28 ports auto-negotiate down to 10G and physically accept SFP+ modules, but this is not universal across every switch or NIC. Verify the target platform's transceiver compatibility list before pairing this cable with SFP+ hardware.
What lengths does the 25G SFP28 passive DAC come in?
This passive DAC is available from 0.5m up to 7m. Cable gauge varies with length: AWG30 covers the 0.5-3m lengths, AWG26 covers 3.5-5m, and the 7m length uses AWG24 copper for better signal integrity at the longer run. Each length is a separate ordering variant, so confirm the exact length needed for the rack position before ordering.