Dell Networking Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide February 2015

Dell Networking Optics and Cables
Connectivity Guide
1 Gigabit Ethernet
(1GbE)
10 Gigabit
Ethernet (10GbE)
40 Gigabit
Ethernet (40GbE)
100 Gigabit Ethernet

(100GbE)
Fibre Channel
Networking I/O Connectivity Options
February 2015
Saleem Muhammad, Product Management
Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide
Revision Q116-0.1
Contents
Optics and Cables Selection by Use
Case
- Key factors influencing the decision
- Server to switch connectivity
- Storage to switch connectivity
- Switch to switch connectivity
- Optics and cables positioning
3
4
5
6
7
Quick Reference Guide

- Optics connectivity
- Cables connectivity
9
11
Frequently Asked Questions
- Types of cables and the concept of lanes

- Using 10GbE fiber for 40GbE and the appropriate use of
DWDM/CWDM optics
- Dell services & support for optics
14
Deployment and Technical Guides
17
Revision History
19
15
16
Optics and cables selection by use case

Key factors* influencing the decision
1
Bandwidth
Server
On server facing ports, servers typically dictate the per port bandwidth requirement.
However, per port bandwidth requirement for the network facing (switch-to-switch)
ports depends on multiple factors including amount of traffic generated by the servers,
oversubscription ratios, fiber limitations, etc.
Distance
An inter-switch or switch to router connection could range from a few inches to tens of
kilometers. Generally, the price of optics increases as the distance increases.
Latency
The network topology and application traffic profile (East-west, HPC, computer
clusters, etc.) and influence the minimum latency that can be tolerated in the network.
Bandwidth
Depending on the application load requirements, customers

typically decide whether they want 1GbE, 10GbE, or 40GbE. In
some cases, the decision may also be dictated by the type of
traffic e.g. DCB requires 10GbE or higher.
Switch
Cost
Servers claim the highest share of devices deployed in any data

center. Choosing a lower cost connectivity option results in a
much lower initial deployment cost.
Power
In any high density server deployment, a connectivity option

which consumes lower power results in much lower OpEx.
Distance
Servers are typically connected to a switch over a very short

distance i.e. typically within the same rack or, in some cases,
within the same row.
Reliability
Cabling flexibility
Some customer prefer to make their own copper cables due to

variable distance requirements. This requirement limits the
choice of connectivity to copper cables only.
Typical storage traffic is very sensitive to loss. Even a minor loss of traffic may result in
major impact on application performance.
Qualification
Storage vendor qualification or recommendation plays an important role in this

decision due to reasons such as customer support, peace of mind, etc.
Latency
2
3
Storage
Any time spent in transition is time taken away from data processing. Reducing
transition time results in much faster application performance. The result may have a
direct impact on customers bottom line e.g. faster processing of online orders.
* This is not an exhaustive list of all potential factors influencing a customers decision. The key
factors listed here are more commonly seen as influencing the decision of a customer. However,
there could be a number of other factors, not listed here, which could have an impact on the final
decision.

Server to switch connectivity
Bandwidth
How often deployed
More
often
1GbE
Server
10GbE
Copper Cables (RJ-45)
Direct Attach Copper (DAC) Cables

SFP+ DAC in various lengths
Optics
SFP 1G-T
SFP SX
Optics
SFP+ SR
25GbE
Coming soon
Optics
QSFP+ SR4
Less often

QSFP+ DAC in various lengths
Active Optical Cables (AOC)

QSFP+ AOC in various lengths
Optics
XFP CX4
40GbE
Commonly used
Occasionally used
100GbE
Not
commercially
available

Storage to switch connectivity
Bandwidth
FC
1GbE1
More
often
Optics
SFP+ 8Gb, SWL
How often deployed
Storage
Optics
SFP SX
Optics
25GbE1
10GbE1
Not
commercially
available
40GbE1
Not
commercially
available
100GbE1
Not
commercially
available
Optics
SFP+ SR
SFP+ 16Gb, SWL
Less often
1. Represents Ethernet network. In the context of this slide,

this implies Ethernet network for iSCSI storage.
Commonly used
Occasionally used

Switch to switch connectivity
Bandwidth
Switch
FC
1GbE
How often deployed
More
often
Optics
SFP+ 8Gb, SWL
SFP+ 8Gb, LWL
Optics
SFP SX
SFP FX
SFP LX
SFP ZX
10GbE
Optics
SFP+ SR
SFP+ LR
SFP+ LRM
25GbE
Coming soon

Less often
Optics
QSFP28 SR4
QSFP28 LR4
Active Optical Cables (AOC)

QSFP+ AOC in various lengths
Optics
QSFP28 PSM4
QSFP28 CWDM
CXP SR10

QSFP+ DAC in various lengths
Commonly used
Occasionally used
100GbE
Optics
QSFP+ SR4
QSFP+ LR4
QSFP+ LM4
MPO Cables
MPO Cables in various lengths
Optics
SFP+ ER
SFP+ ZR
SFP+ DWDM
40GbE
Optics
QSFP+ ESR4
QSFP+ PSM
Optics and Cables Positioning

Optics
100GbE
QSFP28 SR4*
CXP SR10*
Speed
QSFP28 CWDM4*
QSFP+ PSM
QSFP+ LM4
QSFP+ QSA
XFP CX4
Fibre
Channel
QSFP+ ESR4
QSFP+ SR4
1GbE
10GbE
40GbE
XFP SR
SFP+ SR
QSFP+ LR4
QSFP+ PSM4
SFP+ LR
XFP LR
SFP+ LRM
SFP 1G-T
QSFP28 LR4*
QSFP28 PSM4*
SFP SX
SFP FX
SFP+ SWL
XFP ZR
XFP DWDM
SFP+ DWDM
SFP+ ZR
XFP ER
SFP+ ER
SFP LX
SFP ZX
SFP+ ELWL
SFP+ LWL
Distance
50m
* Not a shipping product
150m
Short
(e.g. within DC/building)
250m
550m
1km
2km
10km
Medium
Long
(e.g. between DC/buildings)
(e.g. across metro)
100km
Based on maximum supported distance on best grade fiber. See the Quick Reference Guide for additional distances using lower grade fiber
Quick
Reference
Guide
?
8
Optics Connectivity
Models
IEEE
Standard
MSA
Receptacle
Power
Wavelength
Distance
Fiber
Mode
SFP-100M-FX
802.3u
SFP
Duplex LC
1.5W
1310nm
2km (OM1, OM2)
SMF
11
SFP-1G-T
802.3z
SFP
RJ-45
1.5W
NA
100m
Twisted Pair
11
802.3z
SFP
Duplex LC
1.5W
850nm
200m (FDDI grade)
MMF
11
10km
SMF
11
550m (FDDI grade, OM1,

OM2)
MMF
100MbE and
1GbE
SFP-1G-SX
275m (OM1)
550m (OM2, OM3, OM4)
802.3z
SFP
Duplex LC
1.5W
1310nm
SFP-1G-LX
SFP-1G-ZX
802.3z
SFP
Duplex LC
1.5W
1550nm
80km
SMF
11
802.3ae
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
850nm
26m (FDDI grade)
MMF
11
33m (OM1)
SFP-10G-SR
SFP-10G-SR-12
82m (OM2)
300m (OM3)
400m (OM4)
802.3ae
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
1310nm
220m (FDDI grade, OM1,

OM2, OM3, OM4)
MMF
11
SFP-10G-LR
802.3ae
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
1310nm
10km
SMF
11
SFP-10G-ER6
802.3ae
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
1550nm
40km
SMF
11
SFP-10G-W17 through
SFP-10G-W612
N/A
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
C-Band, 100GHz
80km
SMF
11
SFP-10G-ZR6
802.3ae
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
1550nm
80km
SMF
11
802.3ae
XFP
Duplex LC
1.5W
850nm
26m (FDDI grade)
MMF
11
SFP-10G-LRM
10GbE
33m (OM1)
XFP-10G-SR5
82m (OM2)
300m (OM3)
400m (OM4)
XFP-10G-LR5
802.3ae
XFP
Duplex LC
1.5W
1310nm
10km
SMF
11
XFP-10G-ER5, 6
802.3ae
XFP
Duplex LC
1.5W
1550nm
40km
SMF
11
(Optics in each group are listed in the order of list price i.e. low to high)
Optics Connectivity
10GbE
Models
IEEE
Standard
MSA
Receptacle
Power
Wavelength
Distance
Fiber
Mode
XFP-10G-ZR5, 6
802.3ae
XFP
Duplex LC
1.5W
1550nm
80km
SMF
11
XFP-10G-W21 through
XFP-10G-W605, 2
N/A
XFP
Duplex LC
1.5W
C-Band, 100GHz
80km
SMF
11
QSA-QSFP-SFP+
802.3ba
NA
NA
1.5W
Varies
Varies
Varies
11
802.3ba
QSFP+
Duplex LC
3.5W
1310NM
140m (OM3)
MMF
11
MMF
11, 14
MMF
11, 14
QSFP-40G-LM4
160m (OM4)
802.3ba
QSFP-40G-SR4
802.3ba
QSFP-40G-ESR4
1.5W
850nm
100m (OM3)
QSFP+
MPO
1.5W
850nm
300m (OM3)
400m (OM4)
QSFP-40G-PSM-1M
802.3ba
QSFP+
MPO Pig-tail1
1.5W
1490nm
2km
SMF
11
QSFP-40G-PSM-5M
802.3ba
QSFP+
MPO Pig-tail1
1.5W
1490nm
2km
SMF
11
QSFP-40G-PSM-15M
802.3ba
QSFP+
MPO Pig-tail1
1.5W
1490nm
2km
SMF
11
QSFP-40G-PSM4-LR
802.3ba
QSFP+
MPO
3.5W
1310nm
10km
SMF
11, 14
QSFP-40G-LR4
802.3ba
QSFP+
Duplex LC
3.5W
1310nm
10km
SMF
11
802.3bm
QSFP28
MPO
3.5W
850nm
70m (OM3)
MMF
11
MMF
11
QSFP28-100G-SR43
100m (OM4)
802.3ba
CXP-100G-SR103
CXP
MPO
3.5W
850nm
100m (OM3)
150m (OM4)
Fibre Channel
MPO
150m (OM4)
40GbE
100GbE
QSFP+
QSFP28-100G-LR4
802.3ba
QSFP28
Duplex LC
4.5W
1310nm
10km
SMF
11
QSFP28-100G-PSM43
(Note 4)
QSFP28
MPO
3.5W
1310nm
500m
SMF
11
QSFP28-100G-CWDM3
(Note 4)
QSFP28
Duplex LC
3.5W
1310nm
2km
SMF
11
SFP-8GFC-SWL
NA
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
770nm 860nm
150m (OM3)
MMF
11
SFP-8GFC-LWL
NA
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
1260nm 1360nm
10km
SMF
11
SFP-8GFC-ELWL
NA
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
1260nm 1360nm
25km
SMF
11
SFP-16GFC-SWL
NA
SFP+
Duplex LC
0.8W
770nm 860nm
125m (OM4
MMF
11
SFP-16GFC-LWL
NA
SFP+
Duplex LC
1.5W
1295nm 1325nm
10km
SMF
11

Cables Connectivity
10GbE
40GbE
Models
IEEE
Standard
MSA
Power
Bend Radius
Distance
Cable
Mode
DAC-SFP-10G-0.5M
802.3ae (SFI)
SFP+
Passive
35mm
0.5m
Copper
11
DAC-SFP-10G-1M
802.3ae (SFI)
SFP+
Passive
35mm
1m
Copper
11
DAC-SFP-10G-3M
802.3ae (SFI)
SFP+
Passive
35mm
3m
Copper
11
DAC-SFP-10G-5M
802.3ae (SFI)
SFP+
Passive
45mm
5m
Copper
11
DAC-SFP-10G-7M
802.3ae (SFI)
SFP+
Passive
45mm
7m
Copper
11
AOC-SFP-10G-15M
802.3ae (SFI)
SFP+
1.5W
30mm
15m
Optical
11
XFP-10G-CX4
802.3ae
XFP
2W
NA
15m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP-40G-0.5M
802.3ba (CR4)
QSFP+
Passive
50mm
0.5m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP-40G-1M
802.3ba (CR4)
QSFP+
Passive
50mm
1m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP-40G-3M
802.3ba (CR4)
QSFP+
Passive
50mm
3m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP-40G-5M
802.3ba (CR4)
QSFP+
Passive
60mm
5m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP-40G-7M
802.3ba (CR4)
QSFP+
Passive
66mm
7m
Copper
11
AOC-QSFP-40G-10M
802.3ba (XLPPI)
QSFP+
1.5W
10m
Optical
11
AOC-QSFP-40G-50M
802.3ba (XLPPI)
QSFP+
1.5W
50m
Optical
11
DAC-QSFP-4SFP-10G-0.5M
802.3ae (SFI)
QSFP+
Passive
70mm/35mm
0.5m
Copper
14
DAC-QSFP-4SFP-10G-1M
802.3ae (SFI)
QSFP+
Passive
70mm/35mm
1m
Copper
14
802.3ae (SFI)
QSFP+
Passive
70mm/35mm
3m
Copper
14
802.3ae (SFI)
QSFP+
Passive
80mm/40mm
5m
Copper
14
802.3ae (SFI)
QSFP+
Passive
90mm/45mm
7m
Copper
14
DAC-QSFP-4RJ45-1G-1M
802.3ae (SFI)
QSFP+
Passive
1m
Copper
14
CBL-MPO12-4LC-OM3-1M
NA
QSFP+7
NA
1m
Optical
14
NA
QSFP+7
NA
3m
Optical
14
NA
QSFP+7
NA
5m
Optical
14
NA
QSFP+7
NA
7m
Optical
14
CBL-MPO12-4LC-SM-5M
NA
QSFP+7
NA
5m
Optical
14

(Cables in each group are listed in the order of list price i.e. low to high)
Cables Connectivity
40GbE
100GbE
Models
IEEE
Standard
MSA
Power
CBL-MPO12-OM3-1M
NA
QSFP+8
CBL-MPO12-OM3-3M
NA
QSFP+8
CBL-MPO12-OM3-5M
NA
CBL-MPO12-OM3-7M
Bend
Radius
Distance
Cable
Mode
Passive
1m
Optical
11
Passive
3m
Optical
11
QSFP+8
Passive
5m
Optical
11
NA
QSFP+8
Passive
7m
Optical
11
CBL-MPO12-OM3-10M
NA
QSFP+8
Passive
10m
Optical
11
CBL-MPO12-OM3-25M
NA
QSFP+8
Passive
25m
Optical
11
CBL-MPO12-OM3-50M
NA
QSFP+8
Passive
50m
Optical
11
CBL-MPO12-OM3-75M
NA
QSFP+8
Passive
75m
Optical
11
CBL-MPO12-OM3-100M
NA
QSFP+8
Passive
100m
Optical
11
DAC-QSFP28-100G-1M
802.3bj (CR4)
QSFP28
Passive
1m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP28-100G-2M
802.3b (CR4)
QSFP28
Passive
2m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP28-100G-3M
802.3bj (CR4)
QSFP28
Passive
3m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP28-100G-4M
802.3bj (CR4)
QSFP28
Passive
4m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP28-100G-5M
802.3bj (CR4)
QSFP28
Passive
5m
Copper
11
DAC-QSFP28-4SFP28- 25GE Consortium QSFP28

25G-1M
25G-3M
25G-5M
Passive
1m
Copper
14
Passive
3m
Copper
14
Passive
5m
Copper
14
AOC-QSFP28-100G-10M 802.3bm (CAUI4) QSFP28
3.5W
10m
Copper
11
Notes
1. Optics come with attached MPO pigtail cables that are intended to
plug into MPO Patch panels at customer site. Specified MPO cable
length is different than the distance between two optics on both ends
of the connection.
2. Wavelength varies for the optics. Different channels are supported on
these optics and every channel provides different wavelength.
3. These optics are currently not shipping.
4. Follows the specification defined in the PSM4/CWDM4 MSAs.
5. XFP is an older technology and is mostly seen in legacy solutions only
6. For short distances, it is recommended that the user add appropriate

value of in-line optical attenuation to avoid exceeding the receiver
overload threshold (-1dBm for 10G-ER, and -7dBm for 10G-ZR)
7. Requires QSFP+ optics on one end and SFP+ optics on the other
end, which are not included with the cables.
8. Requires QSFP+ optics on both ends, which are not included with
the cables.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
13

What are the different types of cables?
Cables
Copper cable
Optical fiber
Traffic carried using electrical

signal over copper conductor
Traffic carried using light

over optical fiber
Single Mode Fiber (SMF)

Allows only a single mode of light to
propagate
Good for long distance transmission
OS1
Appropriate for indoor
deployments
OS2
Appropriate for outdoor
deployments, commonly
used for switch to switch
connection
Multi Mode Fiber (MMF)

Allows multiple modes of light to
propagate
Good for short distance transmission
Twisted pair (RJ-45)
Twinaxial (DAC)
Multiple pairs of wires in a cable
FDDI grade
62.5m, found in legacy systems
and not common today
OM1
62.5m, found in legacy
systems and not common
today
OM2
50m; suitable for 1GbE
OM3
50m laser optimized; ideal for
10GbE
Like Coaxial cables but with two

inner conductors
Cat5/Cat5e
Appropriate for short
distance; ideal for 1GbE
and short distance for
10GbE
Custom length cables can
be created on site
Cat6/Cat6a
Appropriate for short
distance; ideal for 10GbE
Custom length cables can
be created on site
OM4
50m laser optimized; ideal for
10GbE, 40GbE, and 100GbE
Point to point
deployments; ideal for 1GbE,
10GbE, or 40GbE
Multiple fixed length cables
available
Breakout
deployments; breakout one 40GbE
or 100GbE into multiple links
Single connector on one end
breaks to multiple connectors on
the other end
Multiple fixed length cables
available
What is a lane?
Lanes are used to achieve higher data transmission
rates such as 40GbE and 100GbE
Multiple lower rate data streams (10GbE or 25GbE) are
grouped in lanes
14
40GbE
Four lanes carrying 10Gb in each direction
The lanes can be copper cables, wavelengths, or
fibers
100GbE
Four lanes carrying 25Gb or ten lanes carrying 10Gb
in each direction
The lanes can be copper cables, wavelengths, or
fibers

Can existing 10GbE fiber cables be used for 40GbE?
Previously, the answer was no since 10GbE fiber cables have two fibers whereas 40GbE fiber cables have eight or more fibers, as shown below.
Typical 10GbE fiber
Optical Module
2 fibers makes a link

e.g. 10G-SR
Typical 40GbE fiber
Optical Module
Optical Module
Multiple fibers, typically 8,

makes a link. E.g. 40G-SR4,
using 10G per fiber
Optical Module
Dell has recently introduced a 40GbE LM4 optic which provides customers the flexibility of using the existing 10GbE cables for 40GbE
connections. This is accomplished by sending data over 4 wavelengths, each capable of carrying 10GbE, over single fiber. This is shown in the
example below.
4x10G wavelengths
QSFP 40G-LM4
QSFP 40G-LM4
4x10G wavelengths
By using Dells 40GbE LM4 QSFP+ optics on both ends of the connection, customers are able to leverage existing 10GbE cable infrastructure.
This approach significantly lowers the cost of deployment while improving the time to deployment over traditional approach to 40GbE
deployments.
Are DWDM and CWDM optics just like a regular optic?

Users of DWDM optical modules are expected to engineer the link to suit their deployment. Choice of appropriate DWDM mux-demux, optical
amplification, CD compensation, etc. to meet specific link budget requirements is left to the end user. Both ends of the link must have Dell
DWDM optics. Dell can provide detailed optical transceiver data-sheet upon request.
Users of CWDM optical modules can simply connect the two optics using a single mode fiber (SMF) cable just like a regular Ethernet optic is
connected. It is not absolutely required to use Dell CWDM optics on both ends.
15
Dell Optics and Cables Conneectivity Guide
Frequently Asked Questions Services & Support

Is it ok to install a non-Dell optic in a Dell switch?
A customer is generally discouraged from installing non-Dell optics in
Dell switches.
In order to ensure that users enjoy the most reliable network experience
with Dell switches, Dell goes through a very stringent and lengthy
process of optics validation, qualification, and certification. Dell fully
stands behind such a solution and, in the unlikely event that a user
comes across a problem, Dells support personnel will help address the
issues.
If a non-Dell optic is plugged into a Dell switch, the switch will continue
to perform as well as the optic allows. A warning message might be
displayed, indicating that the optics are not supported/tested by Dell
Engineering.
Dell Support will assist customer in case there is a problem. If Dell
Support determines that the reported issue is caused by the use of nonDell optics then they will recommend that the customer replace the
unsupported optics with qualified Dell optics. As a matter of best
practice, Dell recommends that end user test non-Dell optics
appropriately, prior to deploying them in production environment.
Are Dell optics covered under the Lifetime

Limited Warranty (LLW) for N series products?
Dell approved optics are covered as long as the original customer
owns the product.
16
Is it ok to install a non-Dell DAC cable in a Dell switch?

In order to ensure that users enjoy the most reliable network
experience with Dell switches, Dell goes through a very stringent and
lengthy process of cables validation, qualification, and certification.
Dell fully stands behind such a solution and, in the unlikely event that
a user comes across a problem, Dells support personnel will help
address the issues.
If a non-Dell DAC cable, which is standards compliant, is plugged into
a Dell switch, the switch will continue to perform as well as the cable
allows. Additionally, since cables are passive components and as long
as the cables are standards based, If Dell Support determines that the
reported issue is caused by the use of non-Dell DAC then they will
recommend that the customer replace the unsupported DAC with
qualified Dell optics.
As a matter of best practice, Dell recommends that end user test nonDell optics appropriately, prior to deploying them in production
environment.
Are Dell optics covered under Dell warranty and

support options?
Dell approved optics are covered by Dell warranty and support options
but there are limitations and different terms based on the type of
warranty. Please find more detail
here: http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/19/campaigns/lifetimewarranty. Typically, the warranty support on the Dell approved optic
aligns with the hardware warranty.

Is it ok to install an optic from a Dell switch into Dell
server NICs?
Is it ok to install an optic from a Dell switch into Dell

storage ?
It is very common for customers to use DAC (TwinAx) cables instead of

optics to connect server NICs to switches. Customers have the flexibility to
use either a switch qualified or a server qualified DAC cable.
It is very common for customers to use DAC (TwinAx) cables instead of

optics to connect Dell Ethernet based storage ports to switches.
Customers have the flexibility to use either a switch qualified or a storage
qualified DAC cable.
If a customer chooses to use optics, Dell recommends using a switch

qualified optic in a switch and a NIC qualified optic in a server NIC. Fibre
Channel (FC) HBAs and FC switches ship with pre-installed FC optics.
Customer should use the same optics in both of these products.
Please consult your Dell representative to find a list of qualified optics.
If a customer chooses to use optics, Dell strongly recommends using a

storage qualified optic in a storage controller port and a switch qualified
optic in a switch port. Fibre Channel (FC) storage and FC switches ship
with pre-installed FC optics. Customer should use the same optics in both
of these products.
Please consult your Dell representative to find a list of qualified optics.
Are Dell approved optics covered under ProSupport, ProSupport Plus and ProSupport
Flex for Data Center?
The Dell approved optics are covered under the same terms and conditions as the ProSupport contract. For example, if a customer purchases a 3 year
NBD ProSupport contract then that Dell approved optic will also be covered NBD for 3 years.
Is it ok to install an optic from one Dell switch into another?

In most cases, the answer is yes. However, it is highly encouraged that the user contact their Dell representative to confirm if there are any specific
requirements or exceptions.
Dell supplied Fibre Channel (FC) optics must be installed in Dells FC products. Dell supplied FC optics for Brocade OEM products must be used with
Brocade products. Dell FC optics in Brocade switches and Brocade optics in Dell switches are not supported.

Is it ok to use a Dell DAC cable to connect a Dell device to a non-Dell device?
Dell DAC should function normally when inter-connecting Dell and non-Dell Devices. However, Dell recommends use of optics in multivendor
environment because there is always a possibility that a non-Dell device may have deviated from the standards based implementation.
Dell Support will assist the customer in case of a problem. However, if Dell Support identifies that the reported issue is caused by use of DAC cables,
they will likely recommend the use of optics, instead of DAC.
As a matter of best practice, Dell recommends that the end user test DAC cables, prior to deploying them in multi-vendor inter-connect environment.
Is it ok to use a Dell DAC cable to connect Dell switch to other Dell devices?
Dell provides full and complete support for Dell DAC, when deployed between Dell devices. Any issues attributed to the use of Dell DAC on ,and,
between Dell devices, will be investigated by Dell Support
Is it ok to use a DAC cable between a 10bE CNA and a 1GbE switch or 1GbE adapter with 10GbE switch?
It is recommended to use optics instead of DAC if connecting at 1GbE speeds. Additionally, please ensure that both the switch and the server adapter
support operation at 1GbE because some adapters support 10GbE only.
Deployment and
Technical Guides
19
Deployment & Technical Guides

Detailed guides to help you get connected
Infrastructure
Product Focus
Document Title
Tags
Z9500
Dell Networking Cable Management Kit
Cable management, 40GbE
S6000, Z9500
Cable Breakout System for Dell Networking Fabric Switches
Patch panel, 40GbE
20
Feedback
We encourage readers of this publication to provide feedback on the
quality and usefulness of this information by sending an email to
- Saleem Muhammad (Saleem_Muhammad@dell.com)
21

Dell Networking Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide February 2015

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Dell Networking Optics and Cables

100 Gigabit Ethernet

Networking I/O Connectivity Options

Quick Reference Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

- Types of cables and the concept of lanes

Deployment and Technical Guides

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

Optics and cables selection by use case

Depending on the application load requirements, customers

Servers claim the highest share of devices deployed in any data

In any high density server deployment, a connectivity option

Servers are typically connected to a switch over a very short

Some customer prefer to make their own copper cables due to

Storage vendor qualification or recommendation plays an important role in this

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

Optics and cables selection by use case

How often deployed

Copper Cables (RJ-45)

Direct Attach Copper (DAC) Cables

Copper Cables (RJ-45)

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

Direct Attach Copper (DAC) Cables

Active Optical Cables (AOC)

Optics and cables selection by use case

How often deployed

Copper Cables (RJ-45)

SFP+ 16Gb, SWL

Copper Cables (RJ-45)

1. Represents Ethernet network. In the context of this slide,

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

Optics and cables selection by use case

How often deployed

Direct Attach Copper (DAC) Cables

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

Active Optical Cables (AOC)

Direct Attach Copper (DAC) Cables

Copper Cables (RJ-45)

Optics and Cables Positioning

* Not a shipping product

(e.g. between DC/buildings)

(e.g. across metro)

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

2km (OM1, OM2)

200m (FDDI grade)

550m (FDDI grade, OM1,

Quick Reference Guide

26m (FDDI grade)

220m (FDDI grade, OM1,

26m (FDDI grade)

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

DAC-QSFP28-4SFP28- 25GE Consortium QSFP28

AOC-QSFP28-100G-10M 802.3bm (CAUI4) QSFP28

6. For short distances, it is recommended that the user add appropriate

Dell Optics and Cables Connectivity Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Traffic carried using electrical

Traffic carried using light

Single Mode Fiber (SMF)

Multi Mode Fiber (MMF)

Twisted pair (RJ-45)

Multiple pairs of wires in a cable