InfiniBand/fibre optic cable BlueOptics QSFP28-DAC-0.5M-LE-BL 0.5m Male/Male

The BlueOptics QSFP28-DAC-0.5M-LE-BL is a 0.5 meter QSFP28 direct attach cable (DAC) designed for short-range 100G connectivity in data center and high-performance computing environments. With QSFP28 male connectors on both ends and a twinax copper construction, this cable supports low-latency, high-throughput links between switches, servers and storage systems that support 100GBase-CR4 and InfiniBand protocols. It is intended for rack-to-rack or within-rack connections where passive DAC solutions are supported by the hardware.

Advantages

This QSFP28 DAC provides a compact, low-power and low-latency physical link suitable for short distances up to 0.5 m. Its passive twinax construction eliminates the need for active electronics in the cable, reducing power consumption and failure points. The cable is MSA-compliant and built from industry-standard high-quality components to ensure stable signal transmission and long service life in professional network installations.

Suitable for

• High-speed links between switches and servers within racks
• Interconnects between adjacent racks in data centers
• 100GBase-CR4, Ethernet and InfiniBand connections that accept passive QSFP28 DACs
• Short-reach connections for storage systems and compute clusters

Key specifications

• Connector type: QSFP28 male to QSFP28 male
• Cable length: 0.5 meter
• Transmission: passive twinax copper (DAC)
• Supported data rates: up to 100 Gbit/s
• Wire gauge: 30 AWG
• Standards: MSA-compliant; compatible with 100GBase-CR4 and InfiniBand profiles where passive DACs are supported

How to use

Confirm that both devices support passive QSFP28 DAC connections and the targeted protocol (for example 100GBase-CR4 or an InfiniBand profile). With both ends powered off or operating under normal hot-plug conditions per vendor guidance, insert each QSFP28 connector into the corresponding port until it latches. Verify link status on the connected devices and monitor for expected data rates and error counts. For best results, route the cable to avoid excessive bending and mechanical stress near the connector.

Recommendations

Use this 0.5 m passive QSFP28 DAC for short-reach, high-bandwidth connections where the hardware explicitly supports passive twinax cables. Avoid installing the cable in environments that require longer reach or optical fiber. Maintain gentle bend radii, keep connectors clean and ensure firmware and port settings on switches and servers are configured for 100G passive DAC operation.