Active Optical Cable CBO AOC-SFP-25G-3M-BO SFP28 25 Gbit/s, length 3 m

BlueOptics Active Optical Cable CBO AOC-SFP-25G-3M-BO is a factory-terminated SFP28 twinax alternative designed for short-reach high-speed connections. This active optical cable supports 25 Gbit/s per lane across a fixed 3 m length, providing a lightweight, low-power optical link between switches, servers and other network equipment. The cable uses SFP28 form-factor connectors for direct plug-and-play compatibility with SFP28 ports and is intended for data center and enterprise networking environments where reduced electromagnetic interference and low latency are required.

Advantages

The active optical construction offers lower power consumption and longer reach compared with equivalent copper direct attach cables while maintaining 25 Gbit/s throughput. Optical transmission ensures immunity to electromagnetic interference and crosstalk, improving signal integrity in dense rack deployments. Using standardized SFP28 connectors enables hot-pluggable installation and straightforward replacement without modifying existing transceiver slots.

Suitable for

• Short-reach server-to-switch and switch-to-switch links within racks and across adjacent racks
• High-bandwidth uplinks in data center top-of-rack and spine-leaf architectures
• Enterprise network segments requiring low-latency, low-EMI cabling

Key specifications

• Connector type: SFP28 form-factor on both ends
• Data rate: 25 Gbit/s
• Length: 3 m fixed
• Cable type: active optical cable (singlemode/multimode dependent on vendor hardware)
• Latency: low optical link latency suitable for high-performance networking
• Operating environment: designed for data center and enterprise networking racks
• Electrical characteristics: immune to electromagnetic interference compared with copper alternatives

How to use

Install the cable by inserting the SFP28 connector ends into the corresponding SFP28 ports on networking devices until they latch. Ensure both devices are powered down or support hot-plugging according to vendor guidance; most SFP28 ports accept hot-pluggable modules. Verify link negotiation and speed through device management interfaces and confirm that firmware and port settings match 25 Gbit/s operation. Route the cable to avoid sharp bends and physical stress, maintaining the manufacturer-recommended minimum bend radius.

Recommendations

Use this 3 m active optical cable for intra-rack and short inter-rack connections where 25 Gbit/s performance, low EMI and minimal latency are priorities. Check device compatibility for SFP28 modules and, when deploying at scale, follow data center cable management practices to preserve bend radius and reduce strain. For mixed vendor environments verify link negotiation and, if necessary, update device firmware to ensure stable 25 Gbit/s operation.