Arista AOC-Q-Q-100G-3M | 100G QSFP28 Active Optical Cable, 3m, Multi-Mode

Q: What is the difference between an Active Optical Cable (AOC) and a Direct Attach Cable (DAC)?
A: An AOC like the AOC-Q-Q-100G-3M uses multi-mode optical fibre with active laser-based transceiver components integrated at each end, allowing longer reach and immunity to electromagnetic interference. A DAC uses copper twinax cable and is typically limited to shorter distances (generally 1–5m). AOCs are preferred for runs beyond 3–5m or where EMI is a concern in dense data centre environments.

Q: Which Arista switches and platforms is this cable compatible with?
A: The AOC-Q-Q-100G-3M is compatible with Arista switches and platforms running EOS version 4.15.2 or later that feature QSFP28 ports. This includes the Arista 7050CX3, 7060CX2, 7280R, and other 100G-capable platforms in the Arista product portfolio. Always verify the Arista transceiver compatibility matrix for your specific platform.

Q: Can this cable be used with non-Arista switches?
A: Yes. The AOC-Q-Q-100G-3M is IEEE 802.3 compliant, which enables interoperability with QSFP28 ports on switches from other vendors. However, some vendors apply transceiver whitelist restrictions via software. It is recommended to verify compatibility with your specific switch vendor and firmware version before deployment.

Q: Is the 3m length sufficient for typical top-of-rack (ToR) data centre cabling?
A: A 3-metre AOC is well-suited for within-rack or adjacent-rack connections typical in top-of-rack and end-of-row switching architectures. For longer runs — such as row-to-row or inter-pod links — Arista offers the same AOC-Q-Q-100G series in lengths up to 30 metres.

Q: Can I purchase the Arista AOC-Q-Q-100G-3M in Australia through IP Trading?
A: Yes. iptrading.com.au stocks a range of Arista optics and cables including the AOC-Q-Q-100G-3M, available for B2B procurement across Australia. IP Trading is a trusted Australian IT hardware reseller supplying data centre and enterprise networking products to IT professionals, integrators, and government organisations.

Q: Does this cable support data rates lower than 100G?
A: Yes. The AOC-Q-Q-100G-3M supports multirate operation from 10Gbps to 25Gbps per channel, allowing flexibility for environments where 100G links may be used at reduced rates initially and upgraded over time as demand grows.