What is the differece of 800G Passive DAC cable and 800G Active DAC cable?
Rollball International Co.,Ltd
By Andee | 12 October 2024 | 0 Comments

What is the differece of 800G Passive DAC cable and 800G Active DAC cable?

What is the differece of 800G Passive DAC cable and 800G Active DAC cable?
 
800G Passive DAC Cable
Passive DAC (Direct Attach Copper) Cable is a copper cable assembly used for high-speed data transmission between networking devices such as switches, routers, and servers. It connects directly to the physical layer of devices using standard interfaces like QSFP-DD or OSFP, but it does not have any electronic components within the cable itself to boost or condition the signal.
 
Key Characteristics of 800G Passive DAC Cable:
No Active Components: The cable does not contain built-in electronics for signal amplification or conditioning. It relies solely on the signal strength provided by the network devices it connects.
Short Distances: Typically used for short-range data transmissions, often less than 5 meters, due to signal degradation over longer distances without amplification.
Low Latency and Power Consumption: Because there are no active components, passive DAC cables provide near-zero latency and consume no additional power, making them highly energy-efficient.
Cost-Effective: These cables are generally more affordable compared to active solutions, as they do not include the signal-conditioning electronics.
Application: Suitable for data centers where devices are placed in close proximity (e.g., within a rack or across adjacent racks).
 
800G Active DAC Cable
Active DAC Cable is also a copper cable assembly used for connecting network equipment, but unlike passive cables, it contains built-in electronics that help improve signal integrity over longer distances by amplifying or conditioning the signal.
 
Key Characteristics of 800G Active DAC Cable:
Active Components: The cable includes active circuitry (signal conditioning or equalization) that boosts the signal to maintain high-quality data transmission over longer distances.
Supports Longer Distances: Active DAC cables can transmit data over longer distances compared to passive DAC cables, often up to 15 meters or more, while maintaining signal integrity.
Higher Cost and Power Consumption: Due to the integrated electronics, active DAC cables are more expensive than passive ones and require power to operate, usually drawn from the network devices themselves.
More Versatile: Active DAC cables are ideal for environments where devices are further apart, such as larger data centers or installations where equipment is spread across multiple racks.
Lower Latency than Fiber: While active DAC cables do introduce slight latency compared to passive DAC, it is still lower than that found in fiber optic solutions that require optical-electrical conversion.
 
 
Comparison: 800G Passive DAC vs Active DAC
 
Feature 800G Passive DAC Cable 800G Active DAC Cable
Active Electronics No Yes
Distance Supported Typically up to 5 meters Up to 15 meters or more
Latency Near-zero Low, but slightly higher than passive DAC
Power Consumption None Requires power for active components
Cost More affordable More expensive due to added components
Typical Use Case Short-range connections in data centers Medium-range connections between racks
 
Use Cases:
Passive DAC Cable: Best suited for short-range, high-performance interconnects within a rack or between adjacent racks in a data center, where simplicity and cost-efficiency are critical.
Active DAC Cable: Ideal for longer-range connections where passive cables cannot maintain signal integrity and where some additional power consumption and cost are acceptable for improved range and reliability.
Both 800G passive and active DAC cables are used in high-speed networking environments, such as hyperscale data centers, to support the increasing demand for bandwidth, especially with the adoption of 800G Ethernet.
 
Using an 800G DAC Cable and an 800G Active DAC Cable involves proper installation, handling, and configuration of the network devices they connect. The overall process is fairly straightforward, but understanding the differences between the two types of cables helps in applying them effectively in the right scenarios.
 
1. Using an 800G Passive DAC Cable
Steps for Setup and Use:
 
Choose the Appropriate Devices:
Ensure the devices you are connecting (such as switches, routers, or servers) have 800G Ethernet ports that support the correct interface type (e.g., QSFP-DD, OSFP).
Passive DAC cables rely entirely on the devices for signal transmission. Therefore, the devices need to have enough signal strength to support direct connections without the need for signal amplification.
 
Plugging in the Cable:
Carefully insert the cable into the Ethernet ports of the devices you are connecting. Align the connectors properly (QSFP-DD or OSFP) and avoid forcing the connection.
Plug the cable directly into the device’s transceiver ports without any need for additional configuration related to signal amplification or conditioning.
 
Cable Routing:
Ensure proper cable management, avoiding tight bends, sharp kinks, or excessive twisting, especially given the shorter maximum distance range (up to 5 meters).
Use cable management solutions like cable ties or trays to keep the installation neat and minimize physical stress on the connectors.
 
Check the Connection:
Verify that the devices recognize the connection. This is usually indicated by LED lights on the ports that confirm successful data transmission.
Check the network configuration on your devices to ensure that the link is up and that the cable is properly recognized.
 
Monitoring and Maintenance:
No power is required for passive DAC cables, but regular checks for wear, cleanliness of the connectors, and proper seating of the cables should be conducted to maintain performance.
 
Best Use Cases:
Short distances: Less than 5 meters, typically within the same server rack or between adjacent racks.
Low power consumption: Passive DAC cables are ideal when you need zero-power interconnect solutions, such as in dense data center environments.
 
2. Using an 800G Active DAC Cable
Steps for Setup and Use:
 
Verify Device Compatibility:
Ensure the devices (such as high-speed switches, routers, or servers) support active DAC cables and have the correct interface, such as QSFP-DD or OSFP.
Active DAC cables include embedded electronics that amplify the signal, making them more suitable for longer distances than passive DAC cables.
 
Check Power Availability:
Active DAC cables draw power from the network device they are connected to. Make sure your devices can supply the required power to the active components of the cable.
The device's Ethernet ports should be able to support this, as active DAC cables do not require external power supplies but draw directly from the port.
 
Connect the Cable:
Like the passive DAC, carefully insert the cable into the Ethernet ports of both devices. Make sure the connectors (QSFP-DD, OSFP) are correctly aligned.
Since the cable contains active electronics, handle it carefully, avoiding excessive bending or strain that could damage the built-in components.
 
Cable Routing and Management:
Active DAC cables support longer distances (up to 15 meters or more). Make sure the cable is routed properly, especially for inter-rack connections.
Proper cable management ensures the longevity of the cable and helps prevent signal issues caused by physical stress or interference.
 
Test and Configure:
After connecting, check if the devices detect the active DAC cable and that the link status is “up” (usually indicated by status LEDs on the ports).
Some devices may require slight adjustments in configuration to work with active cables (check the device documentation for specific settings).
Run network diagnostics to ensure that the cable is delivering the expected performance (e.g., low latency, high throughput).
 
Monitor Signal and Performance:
Keep an eye on the network performance using the switch or server’s monitoring tools, particularly for any signal integrity issues that might arise over longer distances.
Best Use Cases:
Medium distances: Active DAC cables are ideal for distances between 5 meters and up to 15 meters, commonly used between racks or in situations where devices are not in close proximity.
Signal Integrity Over Longer Distances: When signal quality would degrade with passive DAC cables, active DAC cables are used to ensure stable, high-quality data transmission.
 



General Guidelines for Using Both Cables
 
Verify Device Support for 800G Speeds:
Both passive and active DAC cables are designed for 800G data rates. Ensure your network equipment (e.g., switches, NICs, and servers) can handle 800G speeds and the interface type (QSFP-DD, OSFP, etc.).
 
Use Correct Port Interfaces:
Ensure that the ports on the devices are compatible with the connectors (QSFP-DD or OSFP) of the DAC cable.
 
Physical Handling:
Whether using passive or active DAC cables, always avoid excessive bending, twisting, or pulling the cable from the connector itself. This will help avoid damage to the cable and internal connectors.
 
Firmware/Software Compatibility:
Some network devices may require firmware or driver updates to support the latest 800G interfaces and cables. Check the device manufacturer’s guidelines for firmware compatibility with 800G DAC cables.
 
Labeling:
For both active and passive DAC cables, clearly label each cable if you are managing a large network environment. This helps in troubleshooting and ensures you can easily identify and replace cables when necessary.
By following these steps and guidelines, you can successfully use both 800G Passive DAC and 800G Active DAC cables for high-speed, high-bandwidth networking applications in data centers and other networking environments.
The choice between using an 800G Passive DAC Cable and an 800G Active DAC Cable depends primarily on the specific network architecture, distance between devices, power consumption needs, and budget. Each type of cable has ideal use cases, which are summarized below:
 
Where to Use 800G Passive DAC Cable?
800G Passive DAC Cables are typically used in short-distance, high-bandwidth environments where simplicity, low cost, and zero power consumption are key priorities. Here are some common scenarios where passive DAC cables excel:
1. Within a Server Rack (Intra-Rack Connections)
Distance: Typically less than 3-5 meters.
Use Case: Connecting devices like servers, storage systems, and Top-of-Rack (ToR) switches inside the same server rack.
Why Passive DAC: In these cases, passive DAC cables are ideal because the devices are physically close to each other, and no signal boosting is needed. The cables are cost-effective and power-efficient, with near-zero latency.
Example: Connecting a ToR switch to multiple servers or storage nodes within the same rack for ultra-fast data transmission.
2. Between Adjacent Server Racks (Short Inter-Rack Connections)
Distance: Up to 5 meters.
Use Case: Networking equipment in adjacent racks within the same row in a data center.
Why Passive DAC: For short inter-rack connections, the signal doesn’t degrade over short distances, so passive DAC cables can still maintain high signal integrity without the need for power-hungry active components.
Example: Connecting adjacent network switches or routers in neighboring racks to facilitate high-speed data exchange.
3. Low-Cost Data Center Interconnects
Distance: Up to 5 meters.
Use Case: Cost-effective interconnections for hyperscale data centers where high-speed, short-distance interconnectivity is required.
Why Passive DAC: These cables provide a balance between performance and cost, making them suitable for dense environments where devices are closely packed together.
Example: Large-scale data centers with hundreds of servers that need fast and efficient data transmission between machines or switches within close proximity.
4. Zero-Power, High-Density Environments
Use Case: Data centers or enterprises focused on reducing power consumption.
Why Passive DAC: Passive DAC cables don’t draw any power, making them ideal for high-density environments where energy efficiency is critical.
Example: Power-conscious data centers that need efficient, short-range connections without additional power overhead.
 
Where to Use 800G Active DAC Cable?
800G Active DAC Cables are used for longer-distance connections where passive DAC cables cannot maintain signal integrity without signal conditioning or amplification. These cables are used in scenarios where a more reliable, amplified signal is necessary to avoid data loss or degradation over extended distances.
1. Between Server Racks (Inter-Rack Connections)
Distance: Typically between 5-15 meters or more.
Use Case: Connecting devices like switches, routers, or servers located in different racks, often spaced apart within a data center.
Why Active DAC: For longer inter-rack connections, active DAC cables maintain signal integrity and prevent data degradation, which can occur over distances greater than 5 meters with passive cables.
Example: Linking switches or servers that are in separate racks or rows, where a passive DAC might struggle to maintain signal strength over the distance.
2. Data Center Spine-to-Leaf Connections
Distance: Typically between 5-15 meters or more.
Use Case: High-speed connections between Spine and Leaf switches in a data center.
Why Active DAC: The leaf-spine topology requires reliable, high-performance connectivity between the leaf (edge) and spine (core) switches. Active DAC cables can provide the necessary signal amplification for longer connections, ensuring consistent 800G performance across the topology.
Example: Connecting leaf switches at the edge of the network to spine switches at the core in a large data center to facilitate ultra-fast data transfer across the infrastructure.
3. Medium-Range Data Center Connections
Distance: Between 5 and 15 meters.
Use Case: Situations where equipment is spaced further apart but fiber optics may be unnecessary or too expensive.
Why Active DAC: Active DAC cables are more cost-effective than fiber optic solutions for medium-range connections. They offer the benefits of copper cabling with built-in electronics to boost the signal over extended distances.
Example: High-performance computing environments where multiple racks of compute or storage systems are connected across medium distances.
4. Power-Insensitive Data Center Environments
Use Case: Environments where power consumption is less of a concern, but maintaining signal quality over longer distances is crucial.
Why Active DAC: Since active DAC cables consume some power to boost signals, they are ideal for use in data centers where maintaining high-quality signal transmission is more important than conserving energy.
Example: Large enterprise or research facilities with long interconnect distances that require reliable data transmission and can accommodate the additional power draw of active DAC cables.
5. High-Performance Networking for Research and Development
Distance: 5-15 meters or more.
Use Case: Research institutions or labs that require high-speed, reliable connections for HPC (High-Performance Computing) or data-intensive applications.
Why Active DAC: Active DAC cables help ensure signal integrity and reliable performance over medium distances where passive DAC would falter, supporting the high-bandwidth needs of data-intensive computing environments.
Example: Connecting HPC clusters or large research data repositories across several racks or different areas of a facility.
 
Summary of Use Cases:
Feature 800G Passive DAC Cable 800G Active DAC Cable
Ideal Distance Less than 5 meters 5 to 15 meters (or more)
Primary Use Intra-rack or adjacent rack connections Inter-rack or medium-distance connections
Cost Low-cost Higher cost due to active components
Power Consumption Zero power Requires power from the device
Performance High-performance for short distances Maintains signal integrity over longer distances
Common Environments Short interconnects in data centers, server rooms Larger, medium-range data center environments
Latency Near-zero latency Slightly higher latency than passive, but lower than fiber

By selecting the appropriate cable based on distance, cost, power consumption, and required performance, you can optimize your data center or networking environment for high-speed 800G connectivity.

 
 
 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked. *
Name
E-mail
Content
Verification code