Arista CAB-D-4Q-200G-2M | 200G QSFP-DD to 4x 50G QSFP DAC Breakout Cable, 2m

Q: What does this cable connect and how does the breakout work?
A: The CAB-D-4Q-200G-2M connects a single QSFP-DD port running at 200GBASE-CR8 on the host side to four separate QSFP ports each running at 50GBASE-CR2 on the line side. The 200G aggregate bandwidth is split across 8 x 25G NRZ electrical lanes, with each QSFP port carrying 2 lanes (50G). This allows a single high-density switch port to fan out to four separate servers, switches, or other devices.

Q: Is this cable compatible with non-Arista switches or NICs?
A: This cable is fully certified and tested on Arista platforms and integrates with Arista EOS. The EEPROMs are programmed to support up to 25G NRZ data rates, which enables interoperability with legacy 100G QSFP and 25G SFP-based NICs and switches. Compatibility with third-party platforms should be verified with the respective vendor.

Q: What is the minimum Arista EOS version required to use this cable?
A: The CAB-D-4Q-200G-2M requires a minimum Arista EOS version of 4.23.0 on the host switch. Ensure your Arista platform is running this version or later before deploying.

Q: Why choose a passive DAC cable over an active optical cable (AOC) for this application?
A: Passive DAC cables like the CAB-D-4Q-200G-2M consume less power than active optical cables and have lower latency, making them ideal for short-reach connections within the same rack or adjacent racks (up to 3 metres). They also have no optical components, reducing failure points and overall cost for intra-rack or top-of-rack deployments.

Q: Can I purchase this Arista DAC cable in Australia from IP Trading?
A: Yes. IP Trading (iptrading.com.au) is an Australian-owned and operated IT hardware reseller, trading since 2001. The CAB-D-4Q-200G-2M can be ordered directly through the website, with access to competitive pricing and local support.

Q: What warranty is included with the CAB-D-4Q-200G-2M?
A: This cable is covered by Arista's 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty, which includes parts, repair, or replacement with a 10-business-day turnaround. Optional upgrade support services including Next Business Day and 4-Hour Advance Hardware Replacement are available for mission-critical deployments.