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In today’s data center, more bandwidth is needed to support the use of server virtualization where multiple virtual machines are combined on a single physical host server. At the same time, the amount and type of devices residing on the network has dramatically increased the amount of data that needs to be transmitted to and from storage area networks (SANs) and network Attached Storage (NAS). Consequently, data center managers are seeking for cost-effective methods to provide more bandwidth, while optimizing power consumption and supporting modularity and scalability. To meet these requirements, SFP+ direct attach cable (DAC) is a desirable solution.
SFP+ direct attach cable features a rugged twinaxial cable that connects directly into a low-profile small form-factor pluggable puls (SFP+) diecast connector housing. It can offer the smallest 10Gb/s from factor and a small overall cable diameter for higher density and optimized rack space in 10 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) uplinks and 10 gigabit Fiber Channel SAN and NAS input/output connections. SFP+ direct attach cable could be classified into SFP+ passive direct attach cable and SFP+ active direct attach cable. A direct attach cable assembly is considered active if there are signal processing electronics in the SFP+ module to enhance signal quality and provide a longer cable distance up to 15 meters. Passive direct attach cable contains no active components and it tends to be shorter cable distance typically 1 to 7 meters. In both active and passive direct attach cables, a small electrical component is used to identify the SFP+ module and cable type to the Ethernet interface.
A SFP+ port may support either active or passive direct attach cable, or both. There is no standard for the cable type. So you cannot assume that a direct attach port can support either cable type. Instead, you must refer to the documentation for the interface or switch port to determine what kind of cables the port can support. When an SFP+ port supports a direct attach connection, all you need to do is insert the SFP+ module on the end of the direct attach cable into the port until it latches. The SFP+ active and passive direct attach cable assemblies are hot pluggable, which means that you can safely connect and disconnect them with power enabled on the switch or computer interface. Below picture shows a switch with four SFP+ ports, a SFP+ direct attach cable and an Ethernet interface with two SFP+ ports. The SFP+ direct attach cable has permanently attached SFP+ modules on each end, and the SFP+ modules are respectively plugged into the SFP+ ports on the switch and the Ethernet interface.
Nowadays, SFP+ cable becomes more popular as its low cost, low power consumption and low latency solution that is ideal for high-density, in-rack 10 gigabit per second connection between servers and switches. Fiberstore can provide high-quality SFP+ direct patch cable. It is the optimum solution for 10G Ethernet.