Arista CAB-Q-S-2M | 40G QSFP+ to 4x SFP+ DAC Breakout Cable, 2M Passive

Q: What does the CAB-Q-S-2M do?
A: The CAB-Q-S-2M is a breakout DAC cable that splits a single 40G QSFP+ port into four independent 10G SFP+ connections over a 2-metre passive copper twinax cable. It is used to fan out connectivity from a 40G-capable switch port to four 10G servers or switches.

Q: Is the CAB-Q-S-2M an active or passive cable?
A: It is a passive cable, meaning it contains no active electronic components and draws only 0.5W of power. This makes it highly energy-efficient and reliable for short-reach rack and row interconnects within data centres.

Q: Which Arista switches is the CAB-Q-S-2M compatible with?
A: The CAB-Q-S-2M is compatible with Arista switches and host adapters that support 40G QSFP+ interfaces on the breakout end and 10G SFP+ interfaces on the fan-out end, including models in the 7050, 7060, and 7300 series. Always verify compatibility with your specific switch model before ordering.

Q: Can I use this cable with non-Arista equipment?
A: The cable is compliant with the QSFP+ MSA (SFF-8436) and SFP+ MSA (SFF-8431) industry standards, which means it may be compatible with other vendors' equipment that supports the same standards. However, Arista certifies this cable specifically for use with Arista platforms, and compatibility with third-party hardware should be verified.

Q: Can I purchase the Arista CAB-Q-S-2M in Australia?
A: Yes. IP Trading stocks the Arista CAB-Q-S-2M and ships Australia-wide. As a specialist B2B IT hardware reseller, IP Trading can assist with bulk orders, project quoting, and compatibility queries for enterprise data centre deployments.

Q: What is the maximum distance supported by this cable?
A: The CAB-Q-S-2M supports a cable reach of 2 metres, which is designed for within-rack or adjacent-rack short-reach connections. For longer distances, an active optical cable (AOC) or fibre transceiver solution would be required.