Q1. What is an Active Optical Cable (AOC)?
A: An Active Optical Cable (AOC) is a fiber-based cable assembly with integrated transceivers on both ends, designed to provide high-speed data transmission over longer distances compared to copper cables.
Q2. What data rates are supported by AOC cables?
A: AOC cables support multiple data rates, including 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G, 200G, and 400G, depending on the connector type and cable design.
Q3. What are the main advantages of using AOC cables?
A: AOC cables offer longer reach, lighter weight, better EMI resistance, and lower power consumption compared to traditional copper cables, making them ideal for data center environments.
Q4. What is the typical transmission distance of AOC cables?
A: AOC cables typically support distances from 5m up to 100m or more, depending on the data rate and fiber type.
Q5. How do AOC cables differ from DAC cables?
A: AOC cables use optical fiber for signal transmission, while DAC cables use copper conductors. AOCs are better suited for longer distances, while DACs are typically used for very short-range connections.
Q6. Are AOC cables compatible with Cisco, Juniper, and HPE devices?
A: Yes. These AOC cables are fully compatible with Cisco, Juniper, HPE, and other major networking brands, and are coded to meet MSA and device compatibility standards.
Q7. What connector types are available for AOC cables?
A: AOC cables are available with SFP+, SFP28, QSFP+, QSFP28, QSFP56, QSFP-DD, and QSFP112 connectors, depending on the supported data rate.
Q8. What is an AOC breakout cable?
A: An AOC breakout cable allows a single high-speed port to be split into multiple lower-speed ports, enabling flexible port utilization in high-density network deployments.
Q9. What breakout configurations are available for AOC cables?
A: AOC breakout cables typically support 1×2 and 1×4 configurations, depending on the data rate and switch port capabilities.
Q10. Which data rates support AOC breakout cables?
A: AOC breakout cables are commonly available for 40G, 100G, 200G, and 400G applications.
Q11. What is a 40G AOC breakout cable commonly used for?
A: A 40G AOC breakout cable is commonly used to split one 40G QSFP+ port into four 10G SFP+ ports for server or access-layer connectivity.
Q12. How are 100G AOC breakout cables typically configured?
A: 100G AOC breakout cables are typically configured as 1×100G to 4×25G or 2×50G, enabling flexible network scaling.
Q13. What breakout options are available for 200G and 400G AOC cables?
A: 200G AOC cables can be configured as 1×200G to 2×100G or 4×50G, while 400G AOC cables support 1×400G to 2×200G or 4×100G configurations.
Q14. Do AOC breakout cables require special switch configuration?
A: Yes. The connected switch must support breakout functionality, and the port configuration must be properly set in the switch operating system.
Q15. Can AOC cables be used for top-of-rack (ToR) connections?
A: Yes. AOC cables are widely used for top-of-rack, leaf-spine, and server-to-switch connections where longer reach and cable flexibility are required.
Q16. Are AOC cables hot-swappable?
A: Yes. AOC cables support hot-swappable installation, allowing them to be connected or replaced without powering down network equipment.
Q17. Do AOC cables support Digital Diagnostic Monitoring (DDM)?
A: Yes. Most AOC cables support DDM, enabling monitoring of temperature, voltage, and optical signal parameters.
Q18. What environments are AOC cables best suited for?
A: AOC cables are ideal for data centers, cloud computing environments, AI and HPC clusters, and enterprise networks requiring high-speed, medium-distance connectivity.
Q19. Are these AOC cables tested before shipment?
A: Yes. Each AOC cable is individually tested for signal integrity, compatibility, and performance before shipment.
Q20. Can AOC cable length and compatibility be customized?
A: Yes. AOC cables can be customized in length and coded for specific switch or server models upon request.
Q21. Are AOC cables immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI)?
A: Yes. Because AOC cables use optical fiber, they are highly resistant to electromagnetic interference, making them suitable for dense or noisy environments.
Q22. What is the difference between AOC and optical transceivers with fiber patch cables?
A: AOC cables integrate transceivers and fiber into a single assembly, offering simplified installation, while optical transceivers with patch cables provide more flexibility for longer or modular links.
Q23. What warranty is provided for AOC cables?
A: All AOC cables are backed by a standard warranty and professional technical support, ensuring long-term reliability and customer confidence.