Network Cable BlueOptics 470-ABQF-BL QSFP28 4xSFP28 InfiniBand 2m Black

The BlueOptics 470-ABQF-BL QSFP28 4xSFP28 InfiniBand 2m Black is a 2-metre passive direct attach cable (DAC) engineered for short-distance, high-speed connections in rack and adjacent-rack environments. One end terminates in a QSFP28 plug while the other end splits into four SFP28 plugs, enabling 100GBase-CR4 or 4x25GBASE-CR electrical transmission over twinax copper. The cable is MSA-compliant and intended for use with hardware platforms that support QSFP28-to-4xSFP28 direct attach connections, providing a compact and low-latency link option for switches, routers and storage systems.

Advantages

The cable combines a QSFP28 to 4xSFP28 form factor with 26 AWG twinax construction to deliver up to 100 Gbit/s aggregate bandwidth across a 2 m distance while keeping power consumption and latency low. Passive twinax design eliminates active components in the cable, reducing failure points and production cost. Components and manufacturing adhere to MSA standards for mechanical and electrical compatibility with supported equipment. The black outer jacket provides a durable finish suitable for dense cabling in data centre racks.

Suitable for

• Short-range rack-to-rack or intra-rack connections in data centres
• Interconnecting QSFP28 ports to multiple SFP28 ports for 100G to 4x25G breakout
• High-performance computing clusters and InfiniBand fabrics supporting electrical DAC
• Switch, router and storage systems that accept QSFP28 to 4xSFP28 direct attach cables

Key specifications

• Length: 2 m
• Connector configuration: QSFP28 to 4x SFP28 (male-to-male)
• Transmission type: Passive twinax copper (Direct Attach Cable)
• Supported data rates: up to 100 Gbit/s aggregate (100GBase-CR4 / 4x25GBASE-CR)
• Wire gauge: 26 AWG
• Colour: Black
• Typical application: Ethernet, FCoE, Fibre Channel and InfiniBand over short distances
• Weight: approx. 0.35 kg

How to use

Verify that both devices support QSFP28-to-4xSFP28 passive DAC connections and the intended transmission protocol. Power down or follow hot-plug procedures recommended by the device vendors before insertion if required. Insert the QSFP28 plug into the QSFP28 port and connect each SFP28 plug to the corresponding SFP28 ports. Ensure connectors are fully seated and cable routing prevents excessive bending or strain. After connection, confirm link status and negotiated speeds in the equipment management interface.

Recommendations

For reliable operation, avoid tight bends and maintain bend radius consistent with twinax cable specifications. Use this passive 2 m DAC for short-distance links inside racks or between adjacent racks; for longer distances consider active optical or transceiver-based solutions. Consult hardware vendor documentation to confirm support for passive DAC cables and any required firmware or configuration settings.