Arista CAB-Q-4S-100G-2M | 100G QSFP to 4x 25G SFP28 Breakout DAC Cable, 2m

Q: What is the CAB-Q-4S-100G-2M used for?
A: This cable is a 100G to 4x 25G breakout DAC, used to connect a single 100G QSFP28 switch port to four separate 25G SFP28 devices — commonly used in spine-to-leaf data centre topologies to maximise port density and reduce cabling costs.

Q: Is this an active or passive cable?
A: It is a passive Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cable, meaning it requires no power beyond what is drawn through the host interface. This results in lower latency and reduced power consumption compared to active optical cables.

Q: Which Arista switches is this cable compatible with?
A: The CAB-Q-4S-100G-2M is designed for use with Arista switches and platforms that support 100G QSFP28 ports, including the Arista 7050, 7060, and 7300 Series, as well as any server or switch with compliant 25G SFP28 interfaces.

Q: Can this cable be used with non-Arista equipment?
A: While designed and coded for Arista platforms, it may function with third-party equipment that supports standard 100GBASE-CR4 and 25GBASE-CR signalling. Compatibility should be verified with the target device vendor before deployment.

Q: What is the maximum supported cable length?
A: This specific variant is 2 metres in length. Passive DAC cables are typically suitable for short in-rack or adjacent-rack runs. For longer distances, active DAC or optical transceiver solutions are recommended.

Q: Can I purchase this cable in Australia through IP Trading?
A: Yes. IP Trading stocks Arista DAC cables including the CAB-Q-4S-100G-2M and ships across Australia with expert pre-sales and technical support available. Visit iptrading.com.au or contact the team directly for pricing and availability.