PAN-QSFP28-DAC-xM-BCC | Palo Alto Compatible QSFP to QSFP Copper Direct-Attach 100GBASE-CR4 Cable | 1 to 5M

Q: Will this work in place of the PAN-QSFP28-DAC-1M?
A: Yes. This cable is a direct replacement for the Palo Alto PAN-QSFP28-DAC-1M. It uses the same QSFP28 form factor, complies with IEEE 802.3bj 100GBASE-CR4, and operates at 100 Gbps over four 25.78 Gbps lanes. It provides plug-and-play compatibility with Palo Alto firewalls that accept the reference part.

Q: Which Palo Alto firewalls support this cable?
A: This cable works in any Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewall with 100G QSFP28 ports, including PA-3000, PA-5200, PA-5400, and PA-7000 series models. Compatibility is determined by the presence of QSFP28 ports that support 100GBASE-CR4, not by specific firewall model SKUs.

Q: What is the maximum distance this passive DAC cable can support?
A: Passive copper twinax cables are designed for very short distances. This cable is available in 1M, 3M, and 5M lengths, with 5M representing the practical reach limit for passive 100G copper signaling at 25.78 Gbps per lane. Beyond 5M, signal integrity degrades, and active optical cables are recommended.

Q: Can I use different cable lengths on the same firewall chassis?
A: Yes. Each QSFP28 port operates independently, and there is no requirement for uniform cable lengths across ports. Select the shortest cable that fits your rack layout to minimize signal loss and cost. Each length variant uses identical electrical signaling and is functionally equivalent aside from reach.

Q: Does this cable support breakout to four 25G SFP28 ports?
A: No. This is a standard QSFP28 to QSFP28 cable with non-breakout connectors at both ends. It connects two 100G QSFP28 ports directly. If you need to break out a 100G QSFP28 port into four independent 25G SFP28 links, use a QSFP28 to 4x SFP28 breakout cable instead.