40G QSFP+ to 4×10G SFP+ Passive DAC Breakout Cable: 40G-PDAC-QSFP-SFP
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Same use case, different specifications
40G to 4x10G SFP+ Breakout DAC Overview
The 40G-PDAC-QSFP-SFP is a passive direct attach copper cable that breaks out one 40G QSFP+ port into four independent 10G SFP+ connections. It covers Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and InfiniBand applications across lengths from 0.5 to 7 meters, with no external power required. The breakout format is built for data centers moving from 10G to 40G in stages, or for maximizing the number of usable ports on a high density 40G switch. Cable length variants use AWG30 or AWG26 twinax copper depending on distance, and DDM diagnostics are supported.
- Cable Type: Passive Direct Attach Cable (PDAC)
- Cable Configuration: Breakout (1 to 4)
- Connector Type: QSFP+ to 4×SFP+
- Supported Data Rate: 2.125 Gbps - 41.2 Gbps
- Maximum Distance: 7 m
- AWG (Wire Gauge): AWG30 (0.5-3m) | AWG26 (4-7m)
- DDM/DOM: Supported
- Temperature Range: Standard 0°-70°C
- MTBF: 1000000 hours
40G to 4×10G Breakout DAC Pricing
SKU:40G-PDAC-QSFP-SFP
Made to Order - 2 Weeks40G QSFP+ to 4×10G SFP+ Passive DAC Breakout Cable Specification
Cable Type | Passive Direct Attach Cable (PDAC) |
Cable Configuration | Breakout (1 to 4) |
Connector Type | QSFP+ to 4×SFP+ |
Supported Data Rate | 2.125 Gbps - 41.2 Gbps |
Supported Ethernet Applications | 10G Ethernet (10.31Gbps), 40G Ethernet (41.25Gbps) |
Supported Fiber Channel Applications | 2G Fiber Channel (2.125 Gbps), 4G Fiber Channel (4.25 Gbps), 8G Fiber Channel (8.5 Gbps), 10G Fiber Channel (10.52 Gbps) |
Supported InfiniBand Applications | InfiniBand SDR (10 Gbps), InfiniBand DDR (20 Gbps), InfiniBand QDR (40 Gbps) |
Maximum Distance | 7 m |
Media Type | Twinax Copper Cable |
AWG (Wire Gauge) | AWG30 (0.5-3m) | AWG26 (4-7m) |
DDM/DOM | Supported |
Temperature Range | Standard 0°-70°C |
MTBF | 1000000 hours |
Compliance | CE, RoHS, QSFP+ MSA, SFP+ MSA, SFF-8431, SFF-8436, IEEE 802.3ba, QDR InfiniBand |
40G QSFP+ to 4×10G SFP+ Passive DAC Breakout Cable Datasheet
v3Complete technical specifications and product details
40G QSFP+ to 4×10G SFP+ Passive DAC Breakout Cable Description
The EdgeOptic 40G-PDAC-QSFP-SFP is a 40G QSFP+ to 4x10G SFP+ passive direct attach copper breakout cable for data center connectivity. One QSFP+ connector splits into four independent SFP+ connectors, letting a single 40G switch port connect to four separate 10G devices such as servers, storage controllers, or access switches. The breakout format fans a 40G uplink out into four 10G downlinks without a separate patch panel.
The cable supports data rates from 2.125 to 41.2 Gbps across all four lanes. Ethernet applications include 10G Ethernet at 10.31 Gbps and 40G Ethernet at 41.25 Gbps aggregate. Fibre Channel support spans 2G FC at 2.125 Gbps, 4G FC at 4.25 Gbps, 8G FC at 8.5 Gbps, and 10G FC at 10.52 Gbps per lane. InfiniBand applications include SDR at 10 Gbps, DDR at 20 Gbps, and QDR at 40 Gbps.
As a passive direct attach cable, the 40G-PDAC-QSFP-SFP needs no external power and adds no signal processing latency between the QSFP+ and SFP+ ends. Length runs from 0.5 to 7 meters. Wire gauge changes with length to hold signal integrity across the range: AWG30 twinax copper covers 0.5 to 3 meter lengths, and AWG26 twinax copper covers 4 to 7 meter lengths.
The breakout format suits staged migration from 10G to 40G core connectivity, since one QSFP+ uplink can serve four 10G endpoints during the transition. It also raises effective port density on a 40G switch, turning one QSFP+ cage into four usable 10G connections. Whether the port presents as one 40G link or four independent 10G lanes depends on the switch's breakout mode configuration.
The electrical interface follows the QSFP+ MSA (SFF-8436) and SFP+ MSA (SFF-8431) specifications, which provide standard mechanical and electrical interoperability with compliant QSFP+ and SFP+ ports. Verify host coding and compatibility requirements against the target switch or NIC vendor before deployment. DDM/DOM is supported per the product specification.
Standards compliance includes IEEE 802.3ba for 40 Gigabit Ethernet and the QDR InfiniBand specification. The cable is rated for a 0 to 70C operating temperature range with an MTBF of 1,000,000 hours.
The 40G-PDAC-QSFP-SFP is CE and RoHS compliant. This item is made to order. For volume pricing, contact our sales team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cable present to the host switch as one 40G link or as four independent 10G links?
That depends on how the switch port is configured. Most QSFP+ ports that support breakout cabling have a mode setting that splits the port into four independent 10G lanes; without that setting enabled, the port stays in native 40G mode and will not recognize the four SFP+ ends as separate links. Check the port configuration documentation for the specific switch before wiring a 4x10G breakout.
What is the difference between this passive DAC breakout cable and an active optical (AOC) breakout cable?
This is a passive direct attach cable: it has no internal optics or power draw, and reach tops out at 7 meters across the AWG30 and AWG26 length variants. Active optical breakout cables use optical transceivers built into each end and can extend beyond 7 meters. Passive DAC fits short, in-rack or adjacent-rack breakout runs, while active optical fits longer breakout distances.
Why does this cable use AWG30 for lengths up to 3 meters but switch to AWG26 for 4 to 7 meter lengths?
The heavier AWG26 gauge lowers conductor resistance, which keeps signal integrity within spec over the longer 4 to 7 meter runs; AWG30 is thinner and more flexible, which suits short, dense in-rack cabling at 0.5 to 3 meters. Maximum length for this passive DAC is 7 meters.
Does the host switch need breakout mode enabled to use this cable?
Yes. The QSFP+ port on the host switch needs to be set to breakout mode so it treats the port as four independent 10G lanes instead of one 40G link. The exact configuration steps vary by platform, so check the switch vendor's own port configuration documentation before deploying a 4x10G breakout.